By Allen Hamrick
On Thursday night the Mustangs hosted the Hawks from South Harrison for the CCMS Homecoming. After tapping out at Braxton last week, it was time for the Mustangs to tack on their Hawk stompin’ shoes and get to work. The Hawks nest had just a few eggs in it, but their players looked more like a high school team on the lines. They were big and fast, and it looked as though the Mustangs would have a tough homecoming game regardless of the few players that stood on the opposite side of the field. The Mustangs would have to high step out of their barn and get their game to a new level or homecoming night would look more like a waning moon.
The Mustangs came out focused and were not intimidated at all. The defense of the Mustangs didn’t see the Hawks as anything but a fried chicken leg and proceeded to annihilate the Hawks offense. Through four quarters, the Hawks never gained much real estate other than a couple of kick returns for TD’s. As a matter of fact, the defense was so good that it looked as though the Hawks were playing for us as many yards as they went backwards. Gaining a yard on the Mustang defense was like pushing a chain. The Mustang defense held the Hawks to about as many yards as you could hold in your hand. It was a good game for the defense.
On the flip side of the coin, the offensive line of the Mustangs was equally dominant opening holes that looked like portals straight to the end zone with superb blocking on the line and down field. This allowed Mustang running back Jakoby Nichols plenty of room to do what he does best and that’s run. Other Mustangs got to taste the sweet taste of running the football and the offense couldn’t be stopped. The only trouble for the Hawks was the Mustangs turned up the dial on their game and dominated every inch of the field. In the end it was the Mustangs over the Hawks by the score of 53-22. The Mustangs will play their last home game of the season this Thursday evening and will butt heads with the Yellow Jackets from Spencer. So, if you have a thirst for football at its finest, make your plans to head to the game. Go Mustangs!
This night wasn’t just about football – it was also time to announce the new football homecoming king and queen of CCMS. At halftime, the field was graced with the presence of 6th, 7th and 8th grade representatives, princesses and princes strolling onto the field. The ladies, dressed in their royal best, strode across the field to the applause and cheers of the crowd. As they lined up, each with smiles that lit up the night, they awaited the announcement of who would be chosen Queen. As we all know, there can only be one queen, and as the tension rose the announcement was made. Summer Corwell’s name was broadcasted to the cheers of the fans, and she became the 2021 CCMS Football Homecoming Queen. Queen Corwell graciously accepted the crown as Principal Leslie Goe placed it on her head. She will no doubt be a queen that represents her school well. Escorting summer is 8th grade prince, Harry Miller who was also announced as the CCMS King. Congratulations to Queen Summer Corwell and the rest of her court. Sixth grade princess was Carleigh Lane, and her escort was Devin Griffin. Also Bethany Hersman was a 6th grade representative standing in for Jaedon Delwarte a 6th grade princess, and her escort was Lathan Brown. The seventh grade princesses were Ariel Dobbins escorted by Bryson Peters and Alivia Gilliland escorted by Cain Atha. For the 8th grade it was princess Alexus Diaz escorted by Eli Dorsey, and princess Lakin Winebrenner escorted by Daymian Stricker. Congratulations to all the participants and those who were part of the ceremony. This Thursday night is 8th grade night as they say good bye to a plethora of students who will move on to the next level of play.
In other football news the Panthers fell to Lincoln 16-52. The Panthers like other teams have suffered in the teams ranks because of Covid, it has been a rough year to say the least. However, the Panthers on every play give 110 percent regardless of the odds. Players of the week include on offense Levi Burnette who had 21 carries for 63 yards. On defense it was Gene Sams who had 10 tackles, a sack, and an interception for a TD. BJ Williams had 68 yards receiving and 7 tackles. The Panthers will play at River view on Friday night, before playing the last home game of the season against Braxton on November 5th.
Lady Panthers have tough week
By Allen Hamrick
The Lady Panther volleyball team took a beating this past week and was hung out to dry. After racking up some wins the week before, they seemed to have some momentum. However, Covid-19 has a way of thinning out the roster. The ladies took on Calhoun and Riverside at home on Tuesday night. Calhoun was first, and at times it looked like the Lady Panthers were back on track; unfortunately, they couldn’t seem to keep the lead and lost the match. Riverside was up next as Calhoun pulled an Elvis and left the building. It wasn’t pretty for the Lady Panthers. They played well but just couldn’t find the edge they needed to win. The Lady Panthers once again had their moments, but mistakes would cost them the game. The girls seem to have lost a little interest, but the season is far from over. They hit the road and headed to Gilmer but had the same luck and went down in three games.
The Lady Panthers again are full of talent but just can’t seem to pull it together with Covid-19 tracking their roster like a hound dog which is happening to a lot of teams. This week, however, is a new week and they will be playing Sissonville and Liberty on Tuesday night. With any luck at all, the scuttlebutt is they may get to play in the new and improved gym at the high school. There is a chance, but only time will tell. It will also be senior night, and CCHS will be saying goodbye to two of their best players. So, if you can, be there – come out and support the team. Hopefully the Lady Panthers can get down to the business of volleyball and get back on the winning track. It’s what they do, and it’s what they’re good at. They have the talent but it needs to come forward. The Lady Panthers can regain the prowess they have lost kick some volleyball butt before the season is over.
Lady Mustangs struggle this past week
By Allen Hamrick
The Lady Mustangs have also fallen in the ranks with the Covid bug, and it has taken away a little edge from their game. With some of the Varsity on the sick bench, the Lady Mustangs went to work this week trying to get some wins under their belt. There is no doubt that the CCMS volleyball teams, from the JV to the Varsity, bring all they have to the court when they play regardless of Covid issues. This past week they went 1-3 for the week hosting Braxton and George Washington. They played really close games, but, in the end, lost to both teams by the narrowest of margins. They took their show on the road to Braxton once again in a tri match between Braxton and Buckhannon. This time it was a different story for the Lady Knights of Braxton; the Lady Mustangs took the game on their own turf winning the set. However, it was a sweet tooth for just a little while as Buckhannon followed that ice cream cone by defeating the Lady Mustangs. If the Lady Mustangs can get everybody healthy, there is no one that can beat them when they got game. The CWVAC tournament is just a couple of weeks away and they will be in a real fight to maintain control of the trophy. Can they do it? Sure they can. Go Lady Mustangs!
Panther B team upsets #1 Tyler
By Allen Hamrick
The CCPIF league started their first round of playoffs this past Saturday and Sunday. The A team went up against Tyler County, the #1 seed, on the road at St Mary’s. The A team has had a rough season all year as a team plagued with Covid issues and was hardly ever at their full strength. However, it was the playoffs, and no matter what, the A team would bring all they had with who they had and leave it all on the field. The A team played hard, but in the end it was Tyler over Clay by the score of 0-32. This Clay A-team at full strength would have been a formidable team to beat, and next year, hopefully, they will be Covid free and bring home the championship trophy.
The Clay B team hit the grid with a full head of steam stoked by cannel coal. They had one thing on their mind and that was to upset the #1 seed – Tyler. The Clay B team, ranked 4th, came in like a hurricane against a card board box. The offense was not intimidated by the Tyler defense and drove the ball down the grid 60 yards for the score as Tyler was looking for a new game plan. Ryder McMillion bulled the ball in from the one yard line as Gunner Dobbins caught the pass from McMillion to get the extra point. Not to be out done, the Tyler coaches pulled their chins up off the ground and fired back with seven points of their own. They added another six in the second period making the score 6-13. It looked like the Clay B team was starting to slack off, but soon the fans realized they were just giving Tyler an early Christmas gift with the two scores. The Clay coaches decided it was time to raise the tent for the air show. Ryder McMillion, with his gun arm, fired a shot heard around the world. All the Tyler momentum went south as the ball fell in the arms of Gunner Dobbins and he went to the house tying the score at 13. They made the extra point, and at the half it was the Clay B in the lead by the score of 14-13. Tyler was in disbelief as they went to the locker rooms.
Tyler must have eaten some Wheaties at the half. They came out and scored, once again raising the bar at 14-19 as for the third time the Clay B defense stood tall in the saddle stopping the extra point. Finger nails started flying once again as the game sailed into the 4th quarter and the chances at the end zone was running out of time. The Clay B offense got to work as time ticked off the clock. The offensive line started opening holes and blocking like tanks as Dobbins and McMillion went to work sweeping the outside, and finally, with just a few minutes on the clock, McMillion took it over the goal line making the score 20-19 Clay Panther B. Tyler got the ball back and drove it to the 15 yard line of Clay B. It was all defense after that. Let’s just say that the B team defense is a defense that plays their best from 15 yards in. You will not get through them, and you will not take their real estate. When they are backed in a corner, you’re nothing but a chew toy with a football. These guys are tough enough to slide down a razor blade and brush the teeth of a 10 foot alligator. They had the Tyler offense playing like a frog trying to hop with one leg. They pulled off their second goal line defense in two week to win their game. It was once again an epic display of toughness and grit that could be sliced into servings.
In the end, it was Clay B upsetting Tyler B 20-19. On defense, Ryder McMillion got the big dog award with12 tackles with Gunner Dobbins backing him up at 8. Kayden Neal, Zane Peck, Kiva Detamore and Zach Utt were also big parts of the defense, and without all of them playing 100 percent, this game would have been a different story. Wesley Smith also had a critical tackle on the final drive.
Offensively, Dobbins had 17 carries for 103 yards and McMillion had 22 carries for 111 yards. The two combined for 5 for 8 passing for 83 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 PAT. There was excellent blocking by center Trent Parker, guard Gabe Gould, tackle Trent Neal, end Silas Corwell and wing Hinton Caldwell. The Clay B team travels to Wirt County to take on Ravenswood in the second round of the playoffs this Sunday. If you want to see great football action, come to Wirt County and see football played with raw emotion.
Allen has requested TWO pics to start on front page, the homecoming one can start with a piece of the story if that’s easier!
Headline for the front page lead in article for homecoming night. Summer Corwell named CCMS football Homecoming Queen
cutline for the pic- Summer Corwell getting crowned by principle Leslie Goe. Allen Hamrick photo.
Headline for the REGULAR front page lead in pic– Clay B-Team Panthers take down #1 Tyler
cut line for the front page lead in pic- Here come the Clay B-team Panthers. Photo Sawyer Dobbins.