Arrows Boys And Arrows Girls Soccer Teams Celebrated At Banquet

Arrow boys soccer team recognized at banquet

By Danny C. Davis

The Clinton High School (CHS) boys soccer team had a phenomenal run over the past three seasons, led by thirteen seniors who took CHS to back-to-back MHSAA state championships in 2022 and 2023. The team was honored at an awards banquet held last month at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall.

Even though the team fell a couple of wins short of a third state championship, they amassed an amazing 54-8-6 record over three seasons, with a 9-1 playoff record.

The welcome and invocation was given by Rusty Bryant.

Eleventh-year Arrow head soccer coach Tyler Wade then gave opening remarks about the season.

“This was my eleventh year here at Clinton, and the first eight years we were chasing the state championship – and then we won it two years in a row,” said Wade.

“The expectations are high here at Clinton, and we still expect to get there every year,” continued Wade. “We are proud of our accomplishments. This is a time [when] we want to look back on the year that didn’t end the way we wanted it to. I have told the boys that you don’t lose unless you don’t learn. For the younger players, our job is to learn from everything that happened during the season this year.”

“This is an opportunity for our players to grow and look forward to next year,” he said

Those receiving junior varsity awards included Elvin Quiroz, who took home the Junior Varsity 100% Award, and Murphy Schoggen, Jackson Carter and Ryan Carite, who were given Junior Varsity Leadership Awards. Rising Arrow awards were given to Timothy Graham and Owen Coker.

In varsity awards, Justin Singleton was named Rookie of the Year, Hayden Wolfe received the Sportsmanship Award, and Logan Bryant and Price Farrar took home the 100% Award.
Price Farrar and Logan Bryant were recognized for serving as team captains, Thomas Martin was named Most Improved Player, Logan Cole was named Most Valuable Offensive Player, Hayden Wolfe and Price Farrar were named Most Valuable Midfield Players, Brady Torrence was named Most Valuable Defensive Player, and Cody Barnett was presented with the Most Valuable Player Award.

Logan Bryant took home the Arrow Award.

Coach Wade thanked players, parents and assistant coaches in closing.

Assistant coaches this season were Corey Fierski, Michael Pletzke and Will Nations, as well as Andrew Rafferty, who served as strength and conditioning coach.

Banquet celebrates Lady Arrow soccer team

By Danny C. Davis

After winning their first MHSAA Girls Soccer Championship in over twenty years in 2023, the Clinton High School (CHS) Lady Arrows fell just a little short repeating as champions this past season.

After defeating Madison Central 2-1 in overtime for the North Class 7A finals, CHS fell to North West Rankin 2-1 in the overall Class 7A Championship game.

The Lady Arrows were honored recently at the annual awards banquet held at Mississippi College’s Anderson Hall.

The invocation was given by Dr. Evan Lenow.

Lady Arrow’s booster club president Amanda Acy welcomed Clinton Public School District administration, coaches, parents, players and special guests.

A special thanks was given to CHS strength and conditioning coach Andrew Rafferty for getting the girls ready to play each game. He was also recognized for being named a national strength and conditioning coach of the year for the southeast.

Coach Elliott Rimmer gave remarks on the season.

“Sometimes it seems our destination seems more important than our journey, but what we have to understand is that winning does not make us a winner. What makes you a winner is how you carry yourself and doing things the right way, year in and year out.”

“This group always did things the right way, and they responded in the right way. That is what makes this group of girls winners,” said Rimmer. “They have laid the foundation for this program to be in good hands for years to come.”

Junior high and junior varsity awards winners were recognized first, with Leah Stickler taking home the junior high Arrow Award and Alex Holmes named junior high Most Valuable Player. The Junior Varsity Arrow Award was given to Taylor Robinson, and Ellyn Burchfield was named the Junior Varsity Most Valuable Player.

Varsity players recognized included Cooper Holmes, who received both the Impact Award and the Most Valuable Player Award; Sarah Polk and Mandy Leach, who were given the 100% Award; Isabella Jones, who received both the Playmaker Award and the Most Valuable Offensive Player Award; and Lauren Warner, who took home the Most Reliable Award.

Varsity awards continued with Ruby Acy named the Most Improved Player, Zoie Zumbro and Jada Watson receiving the Arrow Award, Cooper Pletzke taking home the Teammates Choice Award, McKenzie Price named Most Valuable Defensive Player, Kate Crisler named Most Valuable Midfielder, and Kayla Jones being given the Golden Boot Award.

Senior team members gave comments about how special it was to play soccer for the Clinton High soccer team. The senior players were presented with gifts, and a video of the senior players was shown.

Lady Arrow assistant coaches for the season were Matt Bobo, Andrew Rafferty and Thomas Bobo.

President Amanda Acy gave closing remarks.