Depends on rankings you are using. Simmons and Maxpreps both factor in prior year results for their initial week 1 rankings. Clinton made first round exit to a team that was destroyed the next week.
Fast forward to this year. The three teams Clinton has beaten have a combined record of 1-15. According to Simmons, their strength of schedule in 2A is 86th out of 99 2A teams. Maxpreps gives their SOS at -25.8. Sure, not playing WRH had a negative effect on both. Heck, maybe Clinton beats WRH. Not Clinton's fault on the schedule, but it is what it is.
Playing Ledford will help the SOS but losing to the best team you have played probably will not improve your ranking.
I dont get caught up in the ratings. I am interested in the RPI as that will actually be used to seed the playoffs but dont try to understand them. I am more concerned with winning out and getting into the playoffs. East Duplin has been a thorn in our side for the last five years or so. Kinston will be a big challenge also. It will all shake out in the end.