DragonFire

Clinton also picked up another quality assistant coach in Tim Minga. He is from Clinton and has been the DC at Grace for the past 3 years. He will be coaching LBs and co-coordinating the defense with Coach Herrell and working with Josh Kerr on the OL. Great addition to the coaching staff. It is always good to have local people who care about what is going on in Clinton. This staff and team got better with this addition.

Whatever direction Clinton goes, they will be talented at the skill positions. In the senior class they have Corey Washington, Dee Shannon, Shawn Ambrose, and a few newcomers. In the junior class they have Austin Powell who has started every game he has played at CHS on the defensive side of the ball. Sophomore class has Camion and some tall, rangy, athletic receivers, and a decent up and coming QB in Willard. The 9th grade will make an impact with Dylan Dotson, who has been working extremely hard in the weight room. The cupboard is not bare and Clinton fans should be excited about the fact that they have these guys coming back. They probably have the best trio of backs around East Tennessee with Powell, Patrick, and Shannon. We will see . . . this team should get better and better as the year goes along.

I am not sure about all of these for a timeline. I know Coach Marsh started as a coach at Alcoa and has been a part of a championship staff there. He went with Meadows to William Blount, then on to Maryville College as an assistant. He came to Clinton as the Defensive Coordinator, moved to offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. His offense has been high scoring the last few years. Of course, he had some great athletes at Clinton the last few years. I am pretty sure they have averaged over 30 points for the last two years while he was coordinator. He has a good background as his Dad was a head basketball coach for many years. He will be successful while there if he has athletes to work with. I will have to wonder about his longevity because he may wind up being a hot commodity if he gets that program turned around quickly. You will not be disappointed.

Word in Clinton is that the job has been filled by our Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Richie Marsh. Staff says he told them yesterday. He was also the Head Softball Coach at CHS. Good coach did alot to bring us back to respectability at Clinton. I am surprised no one knows in Sweetwater. We will miss him, but the dragon wagon will keep rolling in the right direction.

Take the first game out of the equation . . . There are two undefeated teams in 5A in the regular season in the entire state. There are four quadrants. One of the two undefeated teams in the state (The #2 ranked team in the state) does not deserve a #1 seed? All I was saying was that this was TSSAA finding a way to add to the punishment already given. The whole thing seems like double jeopardy which is not fair to our team, our school, or our city. You all are right about us being down for a while, but that is over. That is where a bad hire as HC will get you, but we have picked up the pieces. We are not complaining about vacating the win. Our kids do not care. They know we were doing what had to be done for a kid in a difficult situation. I was just addressing the fact that TSSAA punished us, it's over. Then they punish us again by taking away something earned. Columbia could have been moved and Henry County could have been moved. These teams have to travel 2-3 hours for games anyway. It is a moot point now anyway. Just does not seem fair to be one of only two undefeated teams and still not have a #1 seed.

I did not think they could put WC's in front of automatic qualifiers. If they could surely White County would be #8 in this quad.

Randy, since you have been posting on the brackets. Why change the bracket and keep a 2 vs. 8 matchup instead of 1 vs. 8 and 2 vs. 7. Can they not count?

Actually, we are 10-0. They can't take away the fact that this game was won on the field away from these kids.

The kid was ruled ineligible for basketball last year and as a result was ineligible for sports for one calendar year. Clinton did not cheat you know nothing about the situation. Clinton deserves a #1 seed for being #2 in the state and undefeated. Columbia must have called and complained. They are closer to TSSAA office. You now have a team that is undefeated playing possibly two road games and having to play their week 10 opponent in the second round after they play a 1-9 team. This system is a joke and those conducting it are a joke. Making coaches travel to exchange films and then changing games. Clinton won all their games and taking the seed away is another way for TSSAA to stick it to us. This whole thing is a disgrace to our kids who have worked so hard. Those of you who commented about the vacated game must have forgotten that this is about kids, not about adults in Hermitage finding yet another way to take a jab at a program that has worked so hard to get turned around.

Vacating Games, taking away a #1 seed RIDICULOUS. Like someone else said our pockets must not be deep enough. TSSAA IS A JOKE.

Not from what I heard last night from someone who knows of what he speaks. What a great kid and fine football player, but I'd be surprised if he plays. Weston is to be evaluated next Thursday and Friday. He may very well dress next week and be available if it were an emergency. He WILL play in the 2nd round game if needed. Coaching staff may choose to keep him out until 3rd round depending on the matchup. CONSIDER THIS OFFICIAL HE CAN PLAY IN 2ND ROUND.

Preacher man . . . Darian is fine, good as ever. We will have an ample supply of athletes to tote the rock. #2 will be one of them. See you Thursday in the mud and muck of Dragon Stadium!

Darian Stone

Down and distance with the 1's it was 1-1. Varsity overall with the 10 play deal 3-1 . . . two of Alcoa's TD's came after 4th down stops . . . but 10 plays keeps the ball moving!

Clinton's QB is getting some big time interest. He is getting noticed late because he is playing in what has been a down program. We feel that we may have a decent season and he will garner more interest along with some others. We have a stud at LB in Hazelhurst and TE in Chapman. Darian did win MVP at the Elite 11 in Athens over Brunetti, Bell, and company. He will go big time. If he were two inches taller he would be a 5 star, no doubt. I thought both teams got good work in. Clinton played well against the run, but came up short in the passing game. In the spring that is what happens, you learn what to concentrate on over the summer months. Much improved football team for Clinton and more of the same from the Alcoa machine. On a side note, on two of Alcoa's TD's Clinton had stopped them on 4th down . . . but it is the 10 play deal. No doubt Alcoa will be a machine this year with a chance to win it all. Clinton had a returning starter out on the line and that was noticeable. All in all as a Dragon fan I was extremely impressed with the development. If they continue to improve they can make some noise this year. Good luck to a fine Alcoa team. You can see his list on Unapproved Website . . . Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisville, Missouri, West Virginia, Auburn, etc.

Here is a little known fact for Rhea County . . . Darian did not practice at all that week because he got a concussion against Powell the week before. That really affected his play. Clinton's RB (Kyle Martin) was also sick so they had to move Frazier to RB which took away a weapon from Darian. He has played better games as is obvious by 1900 passing yards, 900 rushing yards, 30 TDs with only 5 Int.'s. Not many high school players can say that. If Darian were at a bigger school that had more success in the past he would have many offers already. If they stay healthy they will put Clinton back on the map this year. Stone's offers will come, as will Hazelhurst's, Chapman's, Frazier's, etc. Clinton will be down on the OL this spring, but look for the injuries to have healed and be full strength when the season begins.