CCA Football Finding Success in Return to Eight-Man Game

by Danny C. Davis

Clinton Christian Academy football entered the 2026 season with plenty of changes, but so far the Warriors have made the most of them.

Under first-year head coach Shane Edwards, CCA has returned to eight-man football this fall and has opened the season with a 4-0 record.

The move back to eight-man football came during the offseason after CCA faced low participation numbers within the program. The Warriors had just 23 players available from grades seven through twelve, making depth a major concern against larger programs on an eleven-man schedule.

CCA is no stranger to eight-man football. The Warriors played the eight-man game during the early years of the program before eventually making the move to eleven-man football as enrollment and participation grew.

Because the decision to move back to eight-man football came after schedules had already been set, CCA is playing an independent schedule this season and will not be eligible for the playoffs. The Warriors are expected to move fully into MAIS eight-man competition next season, when they will once again have an opportunity to compete for a championship.

Despite not having a postseason waiting at the end of the year, CCA has given itself plenty to play for during Edwards’ first season in charge.

The Warriors opened the season with a 68-32 victory over Magnolia before picking up a much different type of win against Faithful Explorers ALC. CCA’s defense held strong in that matchup as the Warriors came away with a 12-8 victory.

CCA’s offense then exploded in its third game of the season, putting up 79 points in a 79-34 win over Meridian HomeSchool. The Warriors continued their strong start this past Friday, traveling to Mount Zion and coming away with a 64-28 victory to improve to 4-0.

Through four games, the Warriors have scored 223 points, averaging nearly 56 points per game while remaining unbeaten.

Edwards entered the season with experience in eight-man football from earlier in his coaching career, something that has helped with the transition. The eight-man game creates more open space on the field and puts additional pressure on defenders to tackle in space, while also creating opportunities for big plays offensively.

CCA also entered the year with a young roster. Only four seniors were on the team entering the season, while 11 players were listed as junior high players who could see time at both the junior high and varsity levels.

That youth gives the Warriors a chance to use this season as more than just a transition year. With many of their players expected to return, CCA can build experience this fall before becoming eligible for eight-man postseason competition next season.

For now, the Warriors will look to continue their unbeaten start. CCA is scheduled to return to action Friday, Oct. 2, on the road against Delta Academy.

Even without the possibility of a playoff run, Edwards and the Warriors have made the first year of CCA’s return to eight-man football a successful one so far.