By MONTE DUTTON

Until time changes from Daylight Saving to Standard time, I begin Clinton High School games shooting photos on the visitors side because the lighting is better until the sun goes down.

A game a year between the Red Devils and Wolverines means that fans from Clinton know lots of them from Woodruff. Many whom I know went out of their way to praise the changes at the Red Devils’ venerable home.

One reason was that new grandstands have been constructed on the visitors side. Another was that Woodruff pulled a 40-36 upset.

Woodruff (1-0) served notice it will be a formidable contender in Class 3A. This is somewhat irrelevant from here on out because Clinton (0-1) is now in 2A. Make no mistake. Both are strong.

Meanwhile, the state’s fifth-ranked 5A school, Hillcrest (1-0), was shutting out Laurens (0-1), 16-0, and without using that agonizing and nonsensical term, “moral victory,” the Raiders’ brave war of attrition is going to raise interest in Friday night’s Laurens-Clinton game, as if that were possible.

Both teams need a victory in the worst way.

It’s a complicated matter. Woodruff-Clinton was a game that defense forgot. Defense remembers Hillcrest-Laurens vividly.

At about 1 in the wee hours of Saturday, it occurred to me that the upset at Wilder Stadium hadn’t hurt as badly as expected. Through downloading, dickering and describing, I didn’t have time to scrutinize the results. I was so happy to have a compelling story to write that I didn’t have time for the disappointment to settle.

I didn’t visit the dumps until I awakened.

The Red Devils must find a defense. The Raiders must uncover an offense. Both have fingers to snap. Each has a long way to go and a short time to get there.

I expect I’ll have another compelling story to write. Corey Fountain and company are an irresistible force. Greg Porter has an immovable object.

Something’s got to give.

A large crowd witnessed the Clinton game. I’m guessing the same was true in Laurens. I’m sure this Friday will draw a greater throng. It figures to be hotter in more ways than one.

It’s going to be fun in the grandstands and serious business for the combatants.

Meanwhile, one Laurens County football team, the one that plays the eight-man variety, is 2-0.

Laurens Academy has won two road games by a combined margin of 108-45.

Quarterback Ethan Collins tossed three touchdown passes. Elijah Hornberger intercepted one of Newberry Academy’s throws in the 52-25 victory.

The Crusaders’ next two games are at Todd Kirk Field, beginning with Friday’s encounter with Wardlaw Academy (1-0), a 32-8 winner over King.

The Flying Fleet crashed on Saturday night at Martin Stadium, where eight different players scored goals in Presbyterian’s 9-0 men’s soccer victory over Erskine.

Carson Griffith, Iragi Kalala, Jourdan Spence, Sandro Rabarivony, Ryan Jeanfreau, Herman Furumo (two goals), Eddie Merck and Daniel Dalehaug scored goals for the Blue Hose.

“I thought we were a little slow to grow into the game,” stated Presbyterian coach Nick Finotti. “It took 10 or 15 minutes to look like ourselves. I thought we had moments when we were really good tonight. We had a lot of positives. We pitched a shutout.  We played a lot of guys tonight, with a lot of young guys playing quality minutes.”

Presbyterian set Division I era school records for goals with nine, assists with seven and points with 25.

The Blue Hose begin a four-game road swing at East Tennessee State on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Johnson City.

Much obliged for your contributions.

Saturday was the site’s biggest day since basketball and baseball were going on at the same time in March. Visit are up 26 percent in the past week.

It’s just the start. Furman and Presbyterian begin football this week, and Friday night Laurens visits Clinton.

As Merle Haggard sang, “If we can make it through December, everything’s gonna be all right, I know.”

Advertising alone will not keep me going, but there’s room for a few more. Every ad is inset in every story.

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Thanks for putting up with me.