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Clinton soccer tested before postseason begins

Despite watching his team endure a tough week on the pitch, Clinton High School boys soccer Coach Gene Chunn continues to be encouraged

The Dragons (8-7) dropped an 8-1 decision to William Blount Thursday night. Clinton opened the week with a 6-1 loss at Knoxville Halls on Monday, April 24.

Chunn, Clinton’s second-year head coach, thought things might be a bit rough against the Governors and the Red Devils.

And the going got tough, but the Dragons never gave up in the two lopsided losses.

“The biggest thing that we can take away from this is that the kids really played hard and they didn’t quit,” Chunn said. “We just made too many mistakes.”

The Governors are certainly prepared for any non-district opponent.

They play in District 4-AAA against the likes of Bearden, which has won multiple state championships in its storied history; Farragut, which despite a down campaign in 2023, also competes on the state stage; Hardin Valley Academy; Maryville; and an up-and-coming Lenoir City.

“William Blount is really a good team, and if they played in any other district, they would be at the top of it,” Chunn said.

“And Halls is the best team we’ve played.

“But I accomplished what I wanted,” he said. “We took our lumps, but we are going to grow from it.

“The kids didn’t quit, and they played hard, And I scheduled these games to help us get better for district (tournament) play, and I think these games will help us,” Chunn said.

Owen Gray scored Clinton’s goal against William Blount off an assist from Julio DeValle.

Clinton played Union County Tuesday, but results were not available at press time.

The Dragons travel to Cumberland Gap to close out the regular season on Thursday.