Clay to host Jackson County for home opener Friday night

CARTHAGE-Clay County came from behind to beat Smith County 14-7 in a dramatic defensive battle here on the road last Friday night, and Bulldog head coach Bruce Lamb said the win over the Owls was “huge” for his team.

“With all of the adversity we had to fight through, it was huge, especially for our confidence level,” Lamb said.  “People were stepping up everywhere.

“It wasn’t just one of us, it was all of us.  We didn’t play perfect, but man we played hard.  That was a big win for our kids.”

Neither team dented the scoreboard in the first half and Clay County had to overcome a 7-6 deficit in the waning minutes to notch their first victory.

After getting shut out in their season opener, the Dawgs evened their record to 1-1 behind good defense and an improved offensive attack sparked by the return of senior quarterback Nolan Adams, who rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown in his first outing.

The Clay County defense, led by senior Byrson Sharp’s 10-tackle effort, also held Smith County to negative rushing yards and the single score.

The Dawgs shut the Owls out of the end zone on their opening drive with a goal-line stand, while a punt-forcing pressure from senior Kolton Brown and a Nolan Adams’ interception stopped their other two first-half possessions.

Clay County had some success moving the ball in the opening two quarters, but their advances also came up short of the end zone with a punt and two interceptions.

And it wasn’t until the opening drive of the third quarter that the Dawgs finally found pay dirt.

“We talked at halftime and you could see in their eyes we were starting to believe in ourselves, but we still had a little bit of that uncertainty,” Lamb said.  “And then to open up the second half like that was big, and I knew we were in good shape.”

A failed onside kick attempt set Lamb’s team up with good field position at the Smith County 49-yard line.

Seven rushes later, Clay County led 6-0, after Waylon Cherry and Nolan Adams picked up three first downs behind a good push from their offensive line.

Cherry set the Dawgs up at the 11-yard line with a 19-yard scamper, before Nolan Adams put Clay County on the board with an 11-yard rushing touchdown and the two-point try failed.

A huge fourth-down stop by junior Rolan Holaway ended Smith County’s ensuing possession in a turnover on downs, before Clay County suffered the same fate on a sustained drive that ran out the clock on the third quarter and extended into the final frame.

With the ball back, the Owls went on to claim a 7-6 lead with an 89-yard touchdown pass and an extra point with 10 minutes to play in the game.

Clay County’s ensuing drive then resulted in Smith County’s second-straight fourth-down stop, giving the Owls an opportunity to put the game away.

But instead, the Dawgs forced a Smith County three-and-out, as a Sharp tackle for loss made the Owls punt it back to Clay County with 3:39 remaining.

“I don’t think there was any doubt about what we were getting ready to do,” Lamb said.  “I think our confidence level was at its highest at that moment.

“Those kids wanted the ball and they knew what they were going to do.  I had all the confidence in the world in them, and I think they had it in themselves too.”

After a nice return from Nolan Adams, the Dawgs began a methodical game-winning march.

Senior Reece Adams, who missed the entire first half with an ankle injury, eventually capped a Clay County 53-yard scoring drive with 46 seconds to play.

His 12-yard touchdown run and a Nolan Adams two-point conversion gave the Dawgs what turned out to be a decisive seven-point lead.

Smith County still had 46 seconds to respond, but, as they did the entire game, it was the Bulldog defense that rose to the occasion.

The win was preserved by a crucial pass breakup from freshman Nemo Hamilton, a huge sack by junior Cage Ashley, and a jarring hit to dislodge what would have been a fourth-down completion delivered by senior Cole Eads.

Nolan Adams then took a knee on the final snap and Clay County completed the dramatic come-from-behind victory.

While his skill players made the plays to put points on the board, Lamb said it was his interior line that controlled the game.

“Our offensive line and defensive line dominated that game and that’s what we expect them to do every week,” Lamb said, “but the entire team stepped up when we needed them to and it’s got me fired up.”

And that’s not all the veteran coach was excited about, as he commended Bulldog Nation for their continued support.

“I appreciate those people that drove from Celina to come watch us,” he said of the large contingency of Clay County fans who made the trip.  “They were awesome up there in the stands and it gave our boys energy.

“I can’t say enough about the support we get.  It was awesome, and I expect them to be there this Friday night at home to do the same thing and make it hard on Jackson County to come into Celina.”

Friday night

The Dawgs will host the 2-0 Blue Devils for their home opener Friday night, and the team from Gainesboro is coming off back-to-back wins over Clinton County, KY (42-32) and Midway (21-14).

“It will be good to be home, but we gotta have the same kind of effort we had last week, because (coach) Sean (Loftis) does a great job down there,” Lamb said.  “We are going to have to line up, play ball, and give it everything we’ve got.”

Lamb said Jackson County is much improved from last year, when Clay County beat them 35-7.

“They’ve got guys coming back who played a lot last year and they are a lot better,” he said.  “That’s why they are 2-0.”

Kickoff Friday night in Celina is set for 7 p.m.  The Horizon Sports Network will have live-stream coverage of the game beginning at 6 p.m. on the Dale Hollow Horizon Facebook page and online at dalehollowhorizon.com.

Bulldog stats

Clay County racked up 272 yards of total offense on 58 plays in the win at Smith County, including 233 rushing yards on 46 carries and 39 passing yards.

Nolan Adams was the leading rusher (28/136 yds./TD/2pt), while Reece Adams (11/58 yds./TD) and Cherry (7/39 yds.) also ran the ball well.

Nolan Adams was also responsible for all of the yards through the air on four of 12 passing (2 INTs).  He completed passes to sophomore Isaiah Burnette (1/18 yds.), Eads (1/12 yds.), Cherry (1/8 yds.), and Reece Adams (1/1 yd.)

Sharp’s 10 tackles (Sack) led the Dawg defense, while Reece Adams, Brown (Sack), and Burnette all had four stops each.

Holaway had three tackles (TFL); Nolan Adams (INT), Cherry, Eads, and Hamilton made two stops apiece; and both Ashley (Sack) and sophomore Tucker Walker each had one tackle.