Clarksdale Wildcats clinched a home playoff game with a 34-0 victory against Yazoo City Thursday.
J.T. Gray, a 2014 Clarksdale High School graduate, and his classmate Elgton Jenkins, also a Pro Bowl left guard for the Green Bay Packers, provided a senior night meal for the Wildcats on Wednesday food after the game against Yazoo City. It was also senior night where all 19 seniors on the Wildcats were recognized prior to the game.
“Senior night and JT Gray in the house and 34-0, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who coached Gray and Jenkins as seniors, had all praise for them.
“That’s who they are,” Johnson said. “They’ve got humble hearts and spirit and they’re proud of the Wildcats. They’re from this community and made it to the big-time NFL. They know what it means to give back.”
Gray spoke with the team after the win and talked about how it was his first time seeing the Wildcats new football stadium.
“We just supplied the kids with a couple meals to show our appreciation for them,” Gray said. “They keep us motivated and we motivated them as well.”
“I love the stadium,” Gray continued.
Gray enjoyed coming back.
“I love the energy they bring,” Gray said. “Every time I come back, I feel welcome.
“It’s a good atmosphere. I’m blessed to be out here and show my face to my hometown.”
The Wildcats, 6-2 on the season and 3-0 in district play, dominated the game from the start.
Amari Gipson got things going with a 6-yard touchdown run with 10:29 remaining in the first quarter.
Khmari Gamble followed with a 7-yard touchdown run with 4:39 remaining in the first quarter.
Gipson had a 5-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 21-0 at the end of the quarter.
Quarterback Kelley Jones had a 26-yard pass to Demarlo Chatman to set up the score.
Jones threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Leroy Boulton in the second quarter and Solomon Kemp had a 30-yard touchdown run to make it 34-0 at the half.
Justin Davis made four of his five PATs.
Yazoo City had a chance to score halftime with a first down and goal at the 3-yard-line. However, Kiavion Johnson of the Wildcats broke up the pass before the half to preserve the shutout.
The mercy rule went into effect midway through the second quarter and it was a running clock for the remainder of the night.
Coach Johnson was pleased his team played well in all areas of the game.
“Justin (Davis) got better,” he said. “We mixed them all up on offense. We got it to some different receivers. Running backs ran strong. The offensive line played well. I thought we played a good solid football game tonight.”
He also saw improvement in the passing game as Jones is still playing for the injured Martez Williams.
“We worked hard on passing game and stuff this week,” Coach Johnson said. “We’re going to continue to work on passing game. If we can throw that football, we’re going to be hard to deal with.”
The Wildcats have shutout two of their last four opponents and have given up an average of 3.75 points the past four games.
“We’re definitely going to play behind our defense,” Coach Johnson said. “Our defense is our strong point and we’re going to play behind them.”
For all the Wildcats have done in 2021, they still want to win the division. If they are the No. 2 seed, they would be on the road for the second of the playoffs. If they win the division, they could be at home in the second round.
“We don’t want the 2 spot,” Coach Johnson said.
“We’ve got to get the 1 seed.”
The Wildcats host Coahoma County in a non-district game at 7 p.m. Thursday and travel to Senatobia the following Thursday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
“We’re just going to take it one day at a time,” Coach Johnson said. “We’re going to keep improving and working on us. We’ll kind of get to that point when we get there.”
It was fall break this week, but Coach Johnson still planned to practice Monday and Tuesday.
“Appreciate the support tonight,” concluded Coach Johnson after the win.
