Hawks’ Long emerging as two-way force
Clinton Middle School Hawks running back Canyon Long looks for running room against a Lenoir City defender during recent gridiron action. (photo:David Woods )
The Hawks fell to Lenoir City 14-0 Thursday night at home.
Despite the loss, CMS Coach Eric Woodard said he sees steady improvement.
“We continue to get better every day,” Woodard said. “We had a kid who basically just started playing. Canyon Long is a running back and a linebacker. My two Uriahs, Uriah Mounce and Uriah Pickett, both played really well on the offensive and defensive line.”
Penalties proved costly against the Panthers.
“We had some big penalties at crucial times,” Woodard said.
Clinton trailed just 6-0 late when a punt-return touchdown was wiped out by a blindside block. A holding penalty deep in the red zone and a roughing-the-punter call also stalled momentum.
“We don’t have a very high football IQ right now, and that’s my fault,” Woodard said. “That’s not the kids’ fault, and I’ve got to get that straightened out.”
