Warriors look to improve for 2022 season
By Danny C. Davis
Clinton Christian Academy head football coach Zach Rogel saw a lot of improvement in his first season last year on Northside Drive in Clinton.
The Warriors had a 3-7 record last year. Rogel feels the Warriors can take a big leap this season.
“Year one was all about coming in here and changing the culture and we made a lot of progress,” said Rogel. “We feel really good about where we are and where we are headed.”
Rogel should feel optimistic. He has thirteen seniors returning and nine starters back on offense and defense. The Warriors have multiple transfers from Clinton High School and transfers from Jackson Murrah, Jackson Provine and Terry in starting positions to begin the season.
But the Warriors face a difficult schedule in Class 4A, led by defending MAIS 4A champion and nearby rival Tri-County Academy, as well as Adams Christian in Natchez.
“Those are the two district teams to beat,” said Rogel. “Those programs have been around a long time with a lot of tradition and are very good.”
CCA also will face Riverfield Academy and St Aloysius (Vicksburg) in district action.
The Warriors were scheduled to open the season at home against Delta Street on August 12. Other home games include Central Holmes, Carroll Academy, Benton Academy and St. Aloysius.
Leading the offense at quarterback will be Gared Clark, a senior transfer from Jackson Murrah.
“Gared is a good athlete and a dual threat,” said Rogel. “He had a great summer with 7 on 7 workouts.”
Rogel has a full arsenal of running backs to select from this year, led by last season’s leading rusher J J Jones. Nick Bowens, a junior transfer from Clinton High School, looks to be productive in the backfield, as does junior Carter Wilson, a speedster, and sophomore Austin Pitts, a sophomore who had a lot of yards rushing in the junior varsity.
Clinton High transfer Rob Perry, a senior, is expected to be the leading wide receiver. Also in the wide receiver mix will be Jackson Provine senior Kwun Yates and seniors Ryan Gains, John Michael Crosby and Jaylen Michaels.
“Last year, we were more of a spread team, because we did not have a good enough line to run the ball successfully,” said Rogel. “But, this year, we feel we can pound it between the tackles and be more balanced.”
Paving the way up front will be experienced tackles senior Cooper Ormond, who played a lot last year, and junior Josh Johnson.
At the guards will be another Clinton High transfer, senior Johnathan Smith, and senior Brad Hunter. The starter at offensive center will be junior Tim Thomen, a starter last season.
Other players expected to see playing time include sophomore wide receiver Conner Purvis, who had 1,000 yards as a JV player. At wide receiver will be Nathan Baird, a junior, and sophomore Josiah Clemmons.
“We have some depth on offense this year, and that is a big plus.”
“We worked really hard on revving up our defense this summer. We couldn’t stop the run last year, and, hopefully, we will be a lot better against the run this season.”
Starting in the defensive secondary will be senior Rob Perry at safety. The cornerbacks will be junior Carter Wilson and Kwun Yates, who is also a starter on offense.
Up front on the defense line will be juniors Josh Coakly and Isaiah Bennett at defensive end. At defensive tackle will be senior Jonathan Smith and junior Josh Johnson. The nose guard will be junior Tim Thomen.
At middle linebacker will be senior Isaac Morgan. Starting at outside linebackers will be seniors Ryan Gains and John Michael Crosby, along with junior J.J. Jones.
Crosby will also handle place kicking and punting. He made once hundred percent of his point-after kicks last year and was three out of four on field goals.
“We are very thankful for Jason Miles, our new strength and conditioning coach,” said Rogel.
“This is a tight knit group that makes it fun to coach. We looking for our thirteen seniors to step and be leaders on and off the field.”
“Our kids know that we are trying to do something very special this season at CCA.”
