Clinton FC opens with pair of decisive wins

March 25, 2026 by Ken Lay

The 2026 season is underway for Clinton Football Club.

The soccer team has picked up a pair of impressive wins out of the gate.

The club, a coed squad made up of male and female student-athletes from Clinton Middle School, opened the 2026 campaign Wednesday, March 11, with a 7-3 victory over Oak Ridge in the Clinton-Oak Ridge Derby at Dragon Stadium.

“It was a great way to start our season, and it was a dominant win,” CFC Coach Jake McMurray said. “We’re a year older and a year more experienced than we were last year.

“We ran a high press, controlled possession for 63 percent of the game, played a high line and kept shooting.”

Samuel McMurray scored two goals in the season opener for CFC, while Juan Zorro had a goal and an assist. Jordan Cuevas, Osman Minaya, Fabio Espinosa and Lucas Metchikoff also scored for Clinton, which also got a pair of stellar saves from Tadeo Hernandez, including a one-on-one stop.

CFC (2-0) returned to action Friday night and defeated Knoxville’s Berean Christian School at home.

Samuel McMurray scored two goals and had an assist for Clinton on Friday night.

Espinosa, Zorro, Metchikoff and Barahona also found the back of the net in the match.

In its first two games, CFC has scored 13 goals after struggling offensively in 2025.

“I think the difference is a year more of maturity and a year more of skill development,” McMurray said. “I’ve also been preaching passing and teamwork.

“We’re playing better as a team this year.”

CFC will return to action Thursday when it travels to Knoxville to face the Gresham Grey squad. Kickoff is slated for 6:15 p.m. at Tommy Schumpert Park.

CFC JV defeats Oak Ridge

Clinton’s junior varsity side outlasted Oak Ridge 3-1 in its season opener.

Austin Barahona found the back of the net twice for CFC. Spencer Smith also scored, while Addy Duncan had an assist.

CFC’s JV team will be back in action Friday night when it hosts Knoxville’s Berean Christian School. The JV match is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the varsity contest to follow.