Meagan Shock gets in a little contact last Saturday at the soccer play day at West High School. The Lady Mavs drew a 1-1 draw in one period of play against Knoxville Webb. - Ken Leinart
As Chris Curtin prepares to begin his seventh year as the Anderson County High School girls soccer coach, he has some lofty expectations for his team.
“I would like to see us make a run toward the state tournament again,” said Curtin, who saw the Lady Mavericks eliminated in the sectional round of the state playoffs by Signal Mountain.
Anderson County, which finished 13-5-3 in 2021, saw its season come to an end via the penalty kicks shootout. The match was technically a draw.
But don’t tell the Lady Mavericks or their coach that.
“We played 80 minutes of regulation and then we played two overtime periods and then we went to penalty kicks,” Curtin said. “That goal (in the shootout) was the goal that kept us from going to state, so I’m counting (the match) as a loss.”
Anderson County’s regular season begins in just over two weeks as the Lady Mavericks host Cumberland County on Aug. 18. The Lady Mavericks have a talented crop of battle-tested veterans back. But they also have some newcomers looking to make an impact this season.
“I’m excited to see our girls come back,” Curtin said. “I’m always happy to see our girls come back.”
Senior running back/ linebacker Brandon Hollifield is looking for a huge season with the Dragons, building on his great defensive year.
Hollifield led the team in tackles for the first few weeks last year.
“Being a Dragon is not just something you can call it,” he said. “It’s a home. There’s so much more on being a Dragon or a Dragon family.”
Hollifield has been at Clinton for his entire high school career and admires Coach Darell Keith.
“Coach Keith has impacted my life on so many ways, not just about football but life skills.,” he said. “He has always been there for me and helped me when I needed him.”
As far as season goals, Brandon wants to get stronger and better than anyone he and the team play against. “As a team, I would like to come together on the same craft and prove a point to the team,” he said.
Hollifield mentions his parents and coaches as some of his greatest influences.
He wants to be remembered as a student and an athlete and one who never gives up and tries his best.
“Achieve your dreams and stay on the right path” is the message he wants to pass along to the future Dragons.
Riley Webb is a senior lineman, a member of the CHS Media team, and a member of the wrestling team.
Webb has been with the Dragons since his freshman year, and says being a Dragon means “being part of the family.”
“I know that no matter what happens to us, or between us, and no matter what differences or grudges we hold, at the end of the day we’re always there to pick each other up and better one another,” he said. “I feel as if I have a bond with each and every one of my teammates, and I know my brothers feel the same way, which is truly a blessing to have in such a large and diverse team.”
When asked how his coach has affected him, Webb said that if it wasn’t for Coach Keith, “I don’t think I ever would have come out of my shell as much as I have. He pushed me to points I hadn’t been pushed before, and because of it I came out a better man.”
Just like the others, Webb wants to win state this year and show the blood, sweat and tears this team has put forth.
Webb said he doesn’t have any specific influences in his life. “Personally, I’m not much influenced by individual people, but rather by the environment that they create,” he said. “The amount of influence someone has really sticks out to me, and I take note of that. I see the effect of other people’s actions, and at the core that’s really what influence is.
“I’d like to be remembered as the guy who was there for anyone when they needed it, and the guy who didn’t have a problem with anyone. I don’t see much of a point in disliking someone so much that you just have to take it out on them. If someone feels that way about me, that’s fine. I don’t feel the same way back, and I hope people see that and take note.”
Connor Moody is all smiles with his coaches and family after officially signing his letter of intent to play at the Univer- sity of Pikeville in Pikeville, Ky.
Connor Moody doesn’t seem like much of a dreamer.
He’s not starry-eyed and sitting idly by wishing and hoping something good will happen to him.
He’s worked his tail off.
Last Thursday, Moody made it official — he signed his letter of intent with the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Ky., to play baseball.
“It’s a dream come true for him to go to college and play ball,” his father, Kevin Moody, said. “He’s going to miss Clinton though. He’s Clinton through and through.”
Connor Moody said he connected with the campus and the coaches on a visit to UPike last spring.
“I fell in love with the campus, the school,” he said. “It just felt like home.”
Clinton’s Elijah Batiste eyes his blocking against the Kingston defense in last Thursday’s three-way scrimmage with Kingston and Coalfield. - Ken Leinart
Ken Leinart/courier news
Clinton’s Elijah Batiste eyes his blocking against the Kingston defense in last Thursday’s three-way scrimmage with Kingston and Coalfield.
Dwane wilder/courier news
Eli Braden makes a break up the sidelines after hauling in a Walker Martinez pass last Friday.
Dwane wilder/courier news
Junior Eli Nelson finishes off a Walker Memorial runner in a swarm tackle by the Mavs in last Friday’s scrimmage.
Ken Leinart/courier news
Clinton senior Dylan Spurlock goes low while junior Javon Rodd goes topside to take down a Coalfield runner in last Thursday’s three-way scrimmage with Coalfield and Kingston.
