By MONTE DUTTON

Clinton keeps pushing forward with reckless abandon, sending wave after wave of red-clad Devils into action, the latest example being Friday night’s 42-7 victory over Newberry.

“I thought our guys played with a lot of intensity,” said Clinton head coach Corey Fountain. “We executed well. Our defense played ‘lights out.’ Our special teams, pinning them down. Winning the field-position battle. Overall, it was a great team effort.

“That’s what it takes to be a good football team, and we’ve just got to keep getting better. One of the things that’s a little disheartening is the injuries we’re getting, and it’s kind of snowballing.”

A week after losing a 1,125-yard (in 2022) rusher, Jayden Robinson, in a 49-7 victory over Laurens last week, Kason Copeland fell to an apparent broken collarbone after rushing nine times for 61 yards and a touchdown early against the Bulldogs.

Part of the good news is that Fountain seems to fetch capable runners out of a magical reserve. There’s no slack to pick up. Eleven toted the proverbial mail for 236 net yards and a 5.4 average gain. The quarterback, Tushawan Richardson, was the medalist with five carries for 72 yards and a TD.

Another part of the good news is Richardson the passer. He was 10/15 for 141 yards and three touchdowns, and for about 45 of the last 50 Red Devil teams, those numbers are roughly equivalent to 25/38 for 350 at most other high schools. Red Devil babies are born to run.

Clinton (3-0) isn’t developing a passing game. Clinton has a passing game. Clinton chooses to emphasize the rush, which by the way, makes the passing game more effective.

Yet another source for optimism is the defense, which limited the Cedrick Jeter-coached Bulldogs to 239 total yards, only 67 of which they gained earthbound. For the second week in a row, the Red Devils returned interceptions for touchdowns, this game coming from Chris Boyd from 34 yards out with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter.

Clinton forced four turnovers — two fumbles and two interceptions – blocked a punt that set up a score, and made life miserable for two Bulldog quarterbacks. Bryce Satterwhite threw for 172 yards, 73 of which were on one play, and rushed for a net of one.

Clinton was one busted coverage away from a shutout, and after Satterwhite connected with a long-gone Isaiah Glymph with 2:30 remaining in the first quarter, the Red Devils were tied for the first time other than scoreless all season.

The 7-7 deadlock lasted for 7 minutes, 6 seconds. Copeland’s 13-yard rushing touchdown and a 16-yard touchdown connection from Richardson to Zay Johnson put the Red Devils up, 21-7, at halftime. Crawford caught five passes and Johnson three.

Crawford had much to do with the Devils’ first score. He blocked a Satterwhite punt, picked up by Carson Glenn and returned 11 yards to the nine. On the next play, Crawford hauled in a nine-yard pass from Richardson in the right-front corner of the end zone. The catch and footwork were so artful that WSPA-TV picked it as the night’s top play.

“I feel like we’re finally starting to trust each other,” said linebacker Brett Young, who made his second pick in as many weeks. “Everybody’s got a job, and if everybody does his job right, everything just happens on its own.

“This game meant a lot because ever since (summertime) 7-on-7s, Newberry’s been talking, saying just wait till we put pads on. We brought a little something extra tonight.”

Newberry (1-1) also fell victim to three Clinton touchdowns in the second half on Boyd’s pick-6, Richardson’s 26-yard run and Richardson’s 17-yard dart to Javen Cook.

The Bulldogs took great exception to Clinton’s continued domination, and the second half grew increasingly contentious. The teams combined to amass 104 yards in penalties.

Keegan Fortman, named Clinton’s top scholar in the Battle of the Belt festivities, handled the kicking chores, hitting all six extra points but missing a  32-yard field goal.

                                                             

Aiken is the next opponent, visiting Wilder Stadium next week.

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