How bout some Tuesday night football!!!!! And a big one going down at G.S. Kinlaw Stadium as St. Pauls Bulldogs 4-0(2-0) host the Clinton Darkhorses 4-1(2-0). I think it's safe to say winner of this game will be the Southeastern Athletic conference champion so alot at stake Tuesday night as far as seeding goes aswell. For St. Pauls this will be their 3rd game in a week played Midway last Tuesday and played West Bladen tonight. Bulldogs have been thru 2 covid pauses and have kind of been under the radar cause they just haven't been on the field much but have quickly reminded us why they played for a State Championship this past Spring season with good size a host of athletes and a explosive offense. For Clinton we should be well rested and well prepared last played on Oct 1st vs Midway. A golden opportunity for the Darkhorses to not only take the first step in claiming a conference crown but to put their name in conversation of top 2A teams in the East. After falling to Ledford and lackluster performance late vs Midway we have kinda fell into that grey area between contenders and pretenders. I see some posters using the terms overrated,overhyped and i cant really muster a argument. Tuesday night have a opportunity to fall deeper into that spectrum or break out. This has all the makings of a shootout and teams are almost mirrors of each other good size,lots of athletes, explosive and balanced offenses and defenses that arent exactly bad but can definitely be scored on. Turnovers,penalties,field position,which defense can get stops,and coaching wheover checks the most boxes at the end of the night is probably the winner. Turnovers tho will be HUGE in a protential offensive shootout stealing a couple of possessions can change the game.
A little background on history between the two teams going back to a playoff meeting in 2000 and being conference members 2001-2004(Tri-six conference) of course it goes without saying this has no barring on what will happen Tuesday night just giving some background.
2000 1st round playoff game Clinton 35-St.Pauls 12
2001-Clinton 52 St. Pauls 8
2002-Clinton 60 St.Pauls 0
2003-Clinton 14 St. Pauls 0
2004-Clinton 42 St. Pauls 13
Not sure if our match up history goes back further still waiting on Mr.Hughes to rebuild thay database any older Clinton or St. Pauls fans or Southeastern HS football gurus know of any more meetings please feel free to input.
For Clinton offensively i think we need to establish the run from the start. Everyone saw Midway run the ball to the tune of 302 rushing yards Tuesday evening and most would say running the ball isnt a Midway strength. I think Clinton comes out with a similar plan of attack. Doing this helps us control tempo and helps our defense who have had its troubles these last 2 games keep that explosive Bulldog offense on the sideline as much as possible. Hoping for a big Jakwon Wilson and Blake Smith rushing performance. Defensively i forget at times we have as many as 5-7 sophomores and freshmen starting or playing majority of snaps so my criticism is a little bit too harsh we are young on that side of the ball and mistakes will be made. We are in good position majority of the time just have to finish the play nothing that cant be fixed. Tuesday have to try and limit St. Pauls big plays 11 men to the ball and just execute when in position to make a play make it a missed tackle vs these guys isnt going to end and just a first down its probably going to be a touchdown.
A little background on history between the two teams going back to a playoff meeting in 2000 and being conference members 2001-2004(Tri-six conference) of course it goes without saying this has no barring on what will happen Tuesday night just giving some background.
2000 1st round playoff game Clinton 35-St.Pauls 12
2001-Clinton 52 St. Pauls 8
2002-Clinton 60 St.Pauls 0
2003-Clinton 14 St. Pauls 0
2004-Clinton 42 St. Pauls 13
Not sure if our match up history goes back further still waiting on Mr.Hughes to rebuild thay database any older Clinton or St. Pauls fans or Southeastern HS football gurus know of any more meetings please feel free to input.
For Clinton offensively i think we need to establish the run from the start. Everyone saw Midway run the ball to the tune of 302 rushing yards Tuesday evening and most would say running the ball isnt a Midway strength. I think Clinton comes out with a similar plan of attack. Doing this helps us control tempo and helps our defense who have had its troubles these last 2 games keep that explosive Bulldog offense on the sideline as much as possible. Hoping for a big Jakwon Wilson and Blake Smith rushing performance. Defensively i forget at times we have as many as 5-7 sophomores and freshmen starting or playing majority of snaps so my criticism is a little bit too harsh we are young on that side of the ball and mistakes will be made. We are in good position majority of the time just have to finish the play nothing that cant be fixed. Tuesday have to try and limit St. Pauls big plays 11 men to the ball and just execute when in position to make a play make it a missed tackle vs these guys isnt going to end and just a first down its probably going to be a touchdown.