Clinton Christian Academy changes to eight-man football
By Danny C. Davis
During the first few years after Clinton Christian Academy (CCA) opened, the school participated in eight-man football, to get the program started. A few years later, the school changed to MAIS regular eleven-man football competition when the school enrolment increased.
CCA finished 6-5 in 2023, winning their first playoff game in school history and advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Then, the Warriors fell to a 2-8 record in 2024. Last year, CCA finished 3-7 overall and 0-2 in district play.
Earlier this year, Warrior defensive coordinator Shane Edwards was named head football coach at CCA. A short time, later Edwards was also named the school athletic director, and, most recently, was also named to lead the school as headmaster.
Last spring, Edwards met with school administrators and, because the football team numbers were down, the school leadership made the decision to move the football program back to the eight-man team format.
“We only had 23 players available in grades seven through twelve to field a team,” said Edwards. “We were competing against much larger schools, like Brookhaven Academy, that had a lot more players out and a lot more depth.”
“Our numbers were just not there, especially in the division we would have had to compete in,” continued Edwards. “If we were just taking our 23 against their 23 players, it would have been different. But we would have been playing seventh, eighth and ninth graders against teams that were starting eleventh and twelfth graders that were really good. I just didn’t think our 23 players could hold up for an eleven-game schedule against those larger schools.”
Also, Edwards he had plenty experience coaching eight-man football.
“My first four years coaching was at Rebul Academy, and we played CCA, who was playing an eight-man schedule in their first few years of existence.”
Edwards says the players are starting to adapt well to the change to eight-man football.
“Eight-man football is fun offensively, but it is a defensive nightmare,” said Edwards. “We have been working really hard in the off season on defense, because you have to play on an eleven-man field, 100 yards, with three less players.”
“I have told our defensive players that they are going to have to learn to break down and make tackles and wrap up on the ball carrier, or the running backs will break away and be gone.”
“We will find out a lot about our team in preseason jamborees.”
The first scrimmages were scheduled against Discovery School and Porter’s Chapel at East Rankin Academy on August 9, and other scrimmages were set for August 14.
The regular season includes Magnolia Academy at home; Unity Christian at home; Faithful Academy at home; Meridian Flyers at home; Mt. Zion at home; Delta Academy at Marks, Mississippi; Faith Christian at home; Newton County at Decauter; and Southeastern Academy at home.
All home games start at 7 p.m., except Porter’s Chapel, which will be at 5:30 p.m.
“We are playing an independent schedule this year and will play a MAIS eight-man schedule this coming year,” said Edwards.
Key varsity players for the Warriors include Cam Jones, H back and defensive end; quarterback Cole Stubbs; senior Jacob Vernon, running back and outside linebacker; senior Johnathan Moore, running back; senior Brody Bellis and senior C. J. Bingham.
Eleven players are junior high players and will play in the junior high game on Thursday night and possibly play in the varsity game on Friday night.
“We are young, so the good news is that we only have four seniors; so, next year, we should have more depth.”
“Also, next year we will be fully in the MAIS eight-man football and compete for a championship. We just made the change in the spring, and schedules were already made out.”
“I think the guys have embraced the change, and it will be fun for them playing eight-man football. Over the long term, this will be a good league for us that we can compete in.”
“We are excited about upgrades done on our field this year. We have just built a new press box and are having new bleachers installed. Our facility will look nice, and we are anxious to get the season started,” said Edwards.
