Hawks fly into new conference
Clinton previously competed in a league with Norris, Robertsville, Jefferson, Spring City, Lenoir City, Fort Loudoun and Christian Academy of Knoxville.
Now, the Hawks will play in a Class AAA conference and take on the likes of Cherokee, LaFollette, Jacksboro, Oneida and Scott County middle schools.
The conference is split into two divisions, with divisional games counting in the conference standings. The Hawks are in the East Division.
The West Division is composed of Rutledge, Maury, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Pigeon Forge and Horace Maynard.
“The reason we moved is because the schedule in this conference aligns with the high school season,” Clinton Coach Eric Woodard said. “In the other league, you start earlier and it was all over so quickly.
“We look to be competitive, but there are good teams in this league,” he said. “The big thing for me is that I’m a big film guy and I don’t have film on anybody, but we’re excited to compete against these teams.”
The Hawks will open the season Aug. 13 when they host Cherokee.
Clinton will then travel to Anderson County High School to play Lake City on Aug. 18 before heading to Maynardville to take on Horace Maynard on Aug. 25 in a stretch of back-to-back nonconference road games.
The Hawks return home to face LaFollette on Sept. 3 before traveling to Jacksboro on Sept. 10 and Gatlinburg-Pittman on Sept. 17.
Clinton returns home to play Oneida on Sept. 24 for its homecoming game before closing out the regular season against Scott County at home Oct. 1.
The playoffs begin Oct. 15, following fall break.
The semifinals will be played Oct. 22, with the championship scheduled for Oct. 31 at Campbell County High School in Jacksboro.
