Dragons display fire under Dawson
Clinton newcomer Mason Eckerson completed six of nine passes for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns while taking a turn at quarterback during a preseason scrimmage against Grace Christian Academy last Friday. (photo:Dwane Wilder )
The matchup gave fans their first look at the Dragons under new Coach Jake Dawson.
“I thought we showed some good things, and we showed things we’ve got to work on,” Dawson said. “If you can leave it at both, that’s a successful scrimmage. We’ve got stuff to fix, and we’ve got stuff to capitalize on.”
Grace quarterback Treyson Derry threw a mix of short and deep passes, including a 60-yard strike to Jace Ballard for an early touchdown.
“They did a really good job with tunnel screens and in their passing game,” Dawson said. “I think they’re one of the best in East Tennessee. We were able to manufacture some points late by adjusting. I commend our kids for that. Plan A was stagnant, but we finished decent.”
Clinton junior Jaylon Benjamin, last year’s starting quarterback, is battling for the starting role with fellow junior Mason Eckerson.
Both threw two touchdown passes in the scrimmage.
Benjamin went 10-for-18 for 96 yards, while Eckerson completed six of nine attempts for 87 yards. Neither threw an interception.
Austyn Phillips hauled in five catches for 64 yards and touchdowns of 20 and 16 yards.
Will Young had three receptions for 64 yards, including a 30-yard score. Jaxon Herrell added two catches for 16 yards with a 12-yard TD.
Clinton struggled on the ground, finishing with minus-30 rushing yards, including a loss of 18 yards on a high snap.
Derry completed 15 of 22 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.
Grace running back JV Stinson had nine carries for 59 yards and two scores. Terrion Thomas added a rushing TD and caught nine passes for 101 yards. Chris Tolliver also scored through the air for the Rams.
Grace outgained Clinton 301-153, with 239 yards through the air.
Defensive back Cameron Anderson intercepted a pass at his own 1-yard line late in the scrimmage to highlight a gritty day from the Clinton defense. Linebacker Ryker Armes delivered several hard hits, while Reed White and Charlie Turbyville recorded sacks.
“We’re still not rallying to the football like we need to,” Dawson said. “We’re not tackling like we need to. Too many guys want to arm tackle or just lead with their head, and that’s never a good combination. But we’re getting better.”
The scrimmage featured two halves with most possessions starting at the 30-yard line. Quarterbacks were protected with touch tackles, and there was no defensive pressure on extra points or punts. After halftime, the field was shortened to the defense’s 30-yard line, igniting the Clinton offense.
“Whenever you restrict yourself to a certain section of the call sheet, you limit what you can run,” Dawson said of the condensed field. “You become a little more vanilla.”
Clinton returns to action Thursday, Aug. 14, in the annual 5Star Preps Jamboree at Carson-Newman University.
