Clinton, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's No. 2 team in Class 3A, isn't just a one-man show.
The Yellowjackets (3-0), who travel to Harding Academy (2-1) in Searcy tonight in the teams' 2-3A Conference opener, have four players who have accounted for at least 230 yards offensively this season.
Junior quarterback Weston Amos has passed for 265 yards and 5 touchdowns and has rushed for 189 yards and 5 more scores. Classmate Ethan Drake is at 297 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, senior running back Sky Davidson has 234 rushing yards and 2 scores and junior wide receiver Austin Drake accounts for 249 receiving yards and 4 scores.
Ethan Drake finished with 223 yards and 1 touchdown on 8 carries in the Yellowjackets' 48-28 victory at Central Arkansas Christian last Friday.
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Click here for more scores, recaps and photos]
Whether it's the Drake twins, Amos or Davidson, Clinton Coach Chris Dufrene appreciates the balance he has and said teams can't key on one player.
"It doesn't matter to us who has a big night," Dufrene said. "As long as we stay team first and it's not about me, we'll be fine."
Harding Academy Coach Neil Evans said Clinton's Wing-T offense is tough to prepare for in a week.
"That's a great scheme," Evans said of the Wing-T. "It's taboo enough now where it's difficult to defend. The thing that makes them difficult to play against is that they lull you to sleep and run between the tackles.
"If you go to sleep on the perimeter, they'll go score touchdowns. They could have seven plays for 40 yards, then they go 60 yards for a touchdown."
Since the beginning of the 2017 season, Clinton has won 15 of its past 16 games, with its only loss coming in the Class 3A quarterfinals last season at Junction City.
"We've got a good group right now," said Dufrene, who has 38 players on the roster. "We've got three solid classes together."
Harding Academy is led by senior quarterback Davis Morgan, who has passed for 816 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushed for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Evans wanted Morgan to run the ball more this season. Through three games, Evans has been pleased with Morgan's play, both from a passing and rushing standpoint.
"He's done it wonderfully," Evans said. "He's always been a pocket guy. He's not super-fast, but he's got a little deception to him.
"We had to convince him that this is part of his game. That's hard to do when you're a senior and when that's not a piece of your game. He may say, 'Yes, sir', but he doesn't always believe it. Now, it's a thing. We're rolling with it."
The Wildcats have earned victories against Highland and Heber Springs and suffered their lone loss at Bald Knob on Sept. 7. They held off Heber Springs 29-27 last Friday in their first home game of the season.
Evans credited his three captains -- seniors Davis Morgan (quarterback), Jake Dugger and Jimmy Citty (linebackers) -- for the Wildcats' success.
"Any time your captains are your three hardest working guys, that can help you over the season," Evans said.
While it is the first of six conference games for Clinton and Harding Academy, it's one that could help determine the 2-3A's No. 1 seed with both the Yellowjackets and Wildcats possessing two of the better teams in the league.
"It ought to be a fun game," Dufrene said. "You hate to say the first game could be for a conference championship, but it could very well be. Our next two weeks are huge, but we're looking at Harding right now."
Said Evans: "I would like to think that this game will certainly have a huge impact on who sits No. 1 and No. 2 [in the 2-3A]. From there, you're in the driver's seat. Not only do you beat a good opponent, but you're 1-0 and then everyone will chase you."
Sports on 09/21/2018