By Noah McKay:
The Clay County Bulldogs are in an unfamiliar position as they plan for the first football state championship game in school history.
The Bulldogs (13-1) are gearing up to take on McKenzie (14-0) in the Class A State Championship Game on Friday in Chattanooga. Despite the high stakes, head coach Bruce Lamb said his team has had a good week of preparation.
“I’ve been greatly pleased with these guys,” said Lamb. “They’ve come out every day just like they have all year long. Coaches are a little uptight, but these guys are relaxed. They’re just going to go play and do what we do.”
The McKenzie Rebels are familiar with the state championship game as they lost 24-21 to South Pittsburg in the 2021 title game. They clinched a spot in the 2022 game with a 34-0 win over MASE. The Rebels are undefeated with an average margin of victory of 37 points. They are led by senior quarterback Jackson Cassidy who is a finalist for the Class A Mr. Football award. They also feature a dominant tailback in senior Marquez Taylor.
“The first thing I notice is they are really big,” said Lamb on the Rebels. “Their right guard and right tackle combine for 650 pounds. It’s not your typical single-A football team. The quarterback runs the ball and throws the ball really well. You can tell he’s their leader. Then you’ve got the speed of their tailback. He’s the real deal. They’re really good. We’ve got our hands full.”
The Bulldogs punched their ticket to the title game with a 40-33 win over Coalfield in Celina. CCHS led 40-13 in the game before a comeback attempt by CHS fell short. It was the latest example of a fast start in a season that has featured several. Lamb said starting fast would be a big advantage against a talented Rebels squad.
“It’s huge,” said Lamb. “It gives us confidence. McKenzie’s been here. They’ve been to this place. It would be good for us if we can get out to a fast start and our kids continue to believe.”
The Bulldogs are led by a senior core featuring quarterback Keaton Arms and tailbacks Joseph Marcom and Alec Kerr.
While it is the first football championship game in school history, several of the players on the team are familiar with big games because of their roles on the CCHS basketball team which won the 2021 state championship. Lamb said the experience his guys have in those games is valuable.
“Big games and all the stuff that goes along with it. The adrenaline, the nervousness and the butterflies, that all goes along with this right here,” said Lamb. “You can see the kids, they are excited. They’re ready to go play and lay it on the line.”
The Bulldogs have won nine games in a row, including two wins over Gordonsville, a victory over York Institute and the victory over Coalfield.
Many around the state are expecting the Rebels to roll past the Bulldogs enroute to the state title. Lamb said that while he agrees Clay County may be the underdog on paper, he has confidence in his squad.
“I do view us as the underdog,” said Lamb. “These guys have been there before. They’re undefeated. It’s the first time we’ve ever been. Anything can happen. I’ve been on a team that was 5-5 (2005 Livingston Academy) and won a state championship. The stars have to align. Everything has so far. We’re going to go do what we do and see what happens.”
Lamb said his team is embracing an underdog mentality.
“Absolutely it does (motivate you),” said Lamb. “It’s my personality to try and prove people wrong, and I think these kids have that same fire in them. The more people are against them the better they want to come out and play. It doesn’t matter if we are the underdog, we’re just going to go out there and do our stuff. We belong there. We belong in the state championship game.”
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Friday at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. UCR will have complete coverage of the game including photos, highlights and a live text thread on our website for updates live from Chattanooga.