This hasn’t been a typical season for Clarke Central. But now that the playoffs are here, the Gladiators appear to be ready to make their move.
The Gladiators open the Class 5A playoffs against Maynard Jackson on Friday at 7:30 at Death Valley.
Coach David Perno’s team got off to a rocky start. An issue with COVID caused the season opener with Cedar Shoals to be postponed and there were personnel and practice issues in the first two weeks against two of the state’s top teams -- a 16-3 loss to Class 6A No. 1 Buford and a 21-2 loss to Class 3A Oconee County.
That led into an off week, which provided the much-needed practice time to reboot the season. Since then Clarke, which won its third straight region championship, has been on a roll. They take an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs.
“We had to get consistent on offense,” Perno said. “During that open week we were able to get things lined up and started playing really well. We were able to right the ship.”
Quarterback Lucien Anderson III has grown into the role. The junior has thrown for 769 yards and seven touchdowns and run for 242 and six touchdowns.
The running back corps is deep and varied. Will Richardson, the team’s best all-around runner, has gained 639 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Jay Adkins is a solid runner with good vision has had 436 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomores Kendrick Curry is the short-yardage bulldozer (187 yard, five TDs) and Nehemiah Jones (140 yards, three TDs) is the scatback who can go.
“We can give you a lot of different looks back there,” Perno said.
Anderson has also fashioned a great working relationship with receiver Eli Warrington, who has 22 catches for five touchdowns, and slotback A.J. Jewell, who has 17 catches and one TD.
The Clarke defense has played better than the numbers show. Many of the points scored against them came against the opponents’ second unit. But when it’s mattered the most, the Gladiators have risen to the occasion, like when they limited Eastside’s talented Dallas Johnson to 17 yards rushing.
The top defensive players have been junior defensive lineman Dailen Howard and linebacker Khyle Cowan.
“Our defense and kicking game have been pretty good,” Perno said. “They’ve shown the ability to be special on defense once they zero in.”
Since Perno became head coach in 2016, the Gladiators have made the playoffs every season. They’ve reached the second or third round the last three seasons.
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