Dragons earn home post season berth
Clinton’s Julio De Valle and Anderson County goal keeper Kaleb Washington collide during play last week. (photo:Ricky Williams )
The Dragons nabbed a 1-0 victory in their annual regular-season match against crosstown rival Anderson County Thursday night at ACHS.
“This was a big game for us,” said Clinton second-year Head Coach Gene Chunn.
“This is for bragging rights around town and both teams played hard. They played great, and you know that both teams really wanted to win.”
The win does give CHS bragging rights — at least for a while — but this time, the victory meant just a little more as it clinched a postseason home game for the Dragons.
The Dragons will get the opportunity to do something they haven’t done in quite some time. They will host a district tournament game for the first time in recent memory.
Clinton wrapped up the No. 2 seed in next month’s District 5-AA tournament, meaning it will host a first-round match.
“These kids have never hosted a district tournament game,” Chunn said. “I’m sure it’s been a long time since Clinton has had a home tournament game.”
Against the Mavericks, Clinton made the lone goal of the match early when Antares Hansen scored off a set piece when he took a corner kick from Owen Gray and banged it into the back of the Anderson County net.
“This was a hard-fought game, and Anderson County is a good team and they have a great keeper,” Chunn said. “He’s hard to score on and they’re hard to score on. “They’re a good team and they’re better than their record indicates.
“(ACHS) Coach Chris (Curtin) does a great job with them. He’s a great coach and he’s a class act.” While Chunn admits that his young team remains a work in progress, he’s enjoying life with his group right now. “I don’t think I’ve had more fun working with a group of young men than I have with this one,” he said.
Clinton also defeated Harriman and Rockwood last week.
“I felt like we struggled to do what we’re best at, and that’s making short passes,” Curtin said. “I would say that he (Chunn) has done a good job building a program.”
“They’ve grown and gotten a lot better since we saw them last year.”
