New Clinton Christian Academy head football coach optimistic about upcoming season

By Danny C. Davis

The Clinton Christian Academy Warriors finished with a 2-8 record in 2024, after finishing 6-5 in 2023 and advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

In April, Sam Vincent was named the fourth head football coach at CCA since 2022.

Vincent, a Florence native, excelled in football and other sports at Florence High School. He brings a wealth of experience and success to CCA from nearby rival Central Hinds Academy.

He spent six years at the Raymond School, including the last two as head coach. He served as quarterback coach for a year and as offensive coordinator for two years, helping lead the Cougars to 26 wins, including playoff appearances in three of last the four years. The team had a winning record every year since 2021 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs twice.

“We did not get here until late April and have worked real hard with the kids on the conditioning on the weights,” said Vincent.

“We have a lot of experience coming back, and we have a good group of kids that are very hungry to win.”

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A slightly easier schedule should also help out. CCA does not have to play perennial football power Tri County Academy or Leake Academy, Riverside or Columbia Academy this year.

After reclassification by the MAIS (Mid South Association of Independent Schools), the schedule looks more favorable to compete in than the past few years.

“We return the whole offensive line and our quarterback, and we feel that will be a big plus for us,” said Vincent. “We only have twenty-five players, but we have a lot of guys out of that twenty-five that are good ball players and play both ways.”

Sophomore Hunter Uzzle will be the starter at quarterback. He had a lot of reps in 2024 and brings experience.

“Hunter is a talented tall kid, six feet tall, that is a natural at quarterback,” said Vincent. Backing up Uzzle will be senior Trevor Mason and junior Ridge Melton.

The backfield has experience with junior running back Johnathan Moore returning. Sophomore Cam Jones looked good in JV play last year and will get a lot of carries. Trevor Mason will also see action in the backfield.

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The receiving corps are led by seniors Marcellus Catchings and Robbie Buckley.

“Marcellus is an athletic kid, and Robbi is a good slot receiver that plays smart,” said Vincent. Mason and sophomore C. J. Bingham and senior Jacob Vernon will also be in the mix at wide receiver.

Senior Cam Chapman will play tight end and, at times, will line up in the H-back position.

The offensive line has four players who are seniors with experience and one junior, and all have had a lot of snaps.

Senior Jaden White is the leader on the offensive and defensive line.

“He may be the best athlete on our team, and he is a big guy at 6’ 3” and 220 pounds,” said Vincent.

The center will be junior Brody Bellis or senior J. T. Knight. Seniors Bo Mayor and Emmanuel Newsom will both be in the offensive line mix, moving around at different positions.

“We are going to run the spread offensive at times, but we want to establish the run first,” said Vincent.

On defense, the Warriors will use a 3-4 alignment with three down lineman and four linebackers.

Anchoring the defensive line will be White, with senior Sean Watson up front, along with Newsome and Knight.

The linebacker corps include Bellis, Mayor, Chapman and Jones.

On the back end at defensive back will be Moore, Buckley, senior Zay Freeman, Catchings, Bingham and Vernon.

“Buckley and Moore will be our safeties, and Freeman is the leader at defensive back.” Shane

Sophomore Gains Bryant will handle kicking and punting for the Warriors.

Shane Edwards is the Warriors defensive coordinator and will also be CCA’s head track coach.

Sam McCoy and Nash Lauderdale, who played under Vincent at Central Hinds, are serving as volunteer coaches at CCA this season.

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“Sam and Nash are a real asset to our team this year,” said Vincent. “I coached both of them at Central Hinds, and they know my offensive system and are helping at practice every day to help our kids learn the offense.”

CCA will open up with Brookhaven Academy at home on August 29 and have four straight road games, starting with Winona Christian School, followed by Vicksburg to play St. Aloysius for the first district game. The next week brings a trip to Ethel Public High School (near Kosciusko), and then a long road trip to Christian Collegiate Academy at Gulfport.

The Warriors return to district play hosting Amite on October 3. Then they travel to Park Place at Pearl on October 10 and host Manchester (Yazoo City) on October 17 for Homecoming, before taking a long trip to Amite. The final district game will be October 24 at Adams County Christian School (Natchez). Senior night will be on October 31, when the Warriors host Discovery Christian School from Florence.

The past season, MAIS changed up district opponents and the criteria to earn a playoff spot. With only three district games – St. Aloysius, Amite and Adams County Christian – the Warriors will likely need to win two of those games to get a playoff spot. But other factors count towards the playoffs, like how well a team plays against really good teams, and it goes on a point system.

“We feel like we can be successful this year in multi-faceted ways. This is a group of kids that are just hungry to be poured into. We need to start fast and get some wins. They are different kids than when I got here, and it did not take that much to do that. I don’t know that they know how good they can be at times. When they see that, the better off we will be,” said Vincent.

“This can really be a good year, but we need to not have any major injuries, and sometimes you need a little luck. Hopefully, that will happen.”