Clinton Middle tops Cherokee 42-30 to advance in playoffs
Clinton Middle School eighth-grader Kooper Baylis breaks into the open field on his way to a first-half touchdown against visiting Cherokee on Thursday, Oct. 15. The Hawks defeated the Yellow Jackets 42-30 in the opening round of the East Tennessee Middle School Football 4A playoffs to advance to the semifinals. (photo:Tony Cox )
Two months later, with considerably more at stake, the Hawks delivered another victory over the Yellow Jackets.
Clinton defeated Cherokee 42-30 Thursday night, Oct. 15, in the opening round of the East Tennessee Middle School Football Class 4A playoffs, advancing to the semifinals for the first time in a decade.
For a program that has endured its share of difficult seasons, it was a reminder of what October football can mean in a small town.
The Hawks opened the season with four consecutive victories, their best start since 2012, when Clinton won the conference championship.
But a narrow 24-22 loss to Jacksboro interrupted the perfect start. Clinton rebounded with a 28-0 shutout of Gatlinburg-Pittman before consecutive losses to Oneida and Scott County ended the regular season.
Then came Cherokee.
With their season on the line, the Hawks rediscovered the explosive offense that made them so dangerous in August.
Clinton rolled up 284 yards of total offense, including 226 rushing, and scored six touchdowns without committing a turnover. The Hawks recorded 18 first downs and converted all five red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
Westin Glandon rushed for 112 yards on seven carries and completed four passes for 35 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring passes went to Jacob Deel, covering 16 and 10 yards.
Kooper Baylis powered the ground attack with 91 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns, including a 7-yard fourth-quarter score that helped seal the victory.
Christian Frazier added a 24-yard touchdown run, while quarterback Jaxson Sherwood connected with Rylan Boshears for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
The Hawks wasted little time establishing control, jumping to a 16-0 first-quarter lead behind touchdown passes to Deel and a Baylis rushing score.
Cherokee answered, but Clinton carried a 22-8 advantage into halftime.
Frazier’s third-quarter touchdown extended the lead to 28-8. Although the Yellow Jackets continued battling, the Hawks had an answer for every challenge.
Cherokee scored twice in the fourth quarter, but touchdowns from Boshears and Baylis kept the visitors at arm’s length.
Defensively, Frazier led Clinton with four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Owen Griffith added 3.5 tackles, while Baylis contributed three tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Emmit Dortrait forced another fumble, and Deel broke up a pass.
When the final whistle sounded, Clinton had its sixth victory and another week of football.
The Hawks travel to Jefferson County for a semifinal showdown with a berth in the conference championship game at stake.
The winner will face either Horace Maynard or Scott County, two teams Clinton encountered during the regular season.