Clarksdale High School put together a shutout in its spring football game with a 20-0 victory at Ripley Monday night.
It was a regular game for the most part, but there was no kicking and punting. The Wildcats are coming off of a Region 3-4A district championship in 2020 with a first round playoff victory. They were forced to forfeit the second round of the playoffs due to a COVID outbreak on the team.
However, Clarksdale picked up from where it left off on the field last season with three touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Kelley Jones had two rushing touchdowns. One was 50 to 60 yards and the other was around five yards. Senior running back Amari Gipson ran in the 2-point conversion on Jones’ first score.
Senior Trent Chess, an athlete who can play many different positions, ran the other touchdown in from three yards out.
Senior Martez Williams and Jones were the two quarterbacks for the Wildcats. Williams got the start.
Each team had one interception.
Senior safety and linebacker Jordan Allen had Clarksdale’s interception.
“I feel very good about it,” said Clarksdale coach Henry Johnson of his team’s win. “I saw some strengths and I saw some weaknesses. We can run the ball effectively. Our offensive line played well. Our running backs played well.”
Chess, Gipson, senior Solomon Kemp, Meco Maiden, junior Ramon Hill, junior Khamari Gamble and senior Leroy Boulton are the running backs.
Johnson said the passing game is the team’s weakness.
“We only completed one pass,” Johnson said.
Williams completed the pass.
“We’re doing pretty good on defense,” Johnson said. “We’re just young in the secondary, but other than that, I think we’re going to be pretty solid.”
Johnson said he could coach his team all he wants to, but it was important to get the game experience in.
“It was awesome to be able to get this game in, in the spring,” Johnson said. “It gets us another game.”
