Clear Creek football players have been gearing up for the 2026 season over the summer.
Following the Bobcats’ annual spring practice, CCMS received a few weeks off before it was time to get to work in June. The Cats made their way to the Gilmer High campus for weight training and practice, and CCMS head coach Willie Dodaro was happy with what he saw from the seventh and eighth graders.
“We as coaches were totally excited, and so was (GHS head) coach (Paul) Standard,” Dodaro said. “Attendance was great, and our effort was really good. We got into film work and into the weight room. I felt really good about June and moving forward.
“The weight training facility they’ve given us at the middle school, it makes the rising sixth and seventh graders already adapted to the weight room. We go right in after the end of school and lift until June. We don’t lose any time, and we’ve still continued to lift over the summer. You’re only going to be successful if you produce in the weight room as much as you do in practice.”
CCMS focused on individual skill work on both offense and defense, as well as group activities. Special teams was also an area of focus as the Cats prepared for the season.
Following the dead week at the start of July, CCMS was back on its campus for practice and weight training.
“The players have gotten stronger and they have more confidence,” Dodaro said of the Cats’ progression this summer. “Work ethic was never a problem, but there are some that struggle and they’re overcoming that. Their knowledge of the game remains intact because of Hudl (online video software). They can study the playbook, so they’re well prepared. We’ve been pretty blessed because there hasn’t been bad weather during our time of the day.”
One concern that is out of Dodaro’s hands is the lack of league opponents for the seventh-grade team. Union, Fannin and White counties only field an eighth-grade team. CCMS was able to pick up an extra game to help offset the shortage.
“Copper Basin is going to come down and play our seventh grade,” Dodaro said. “So that will fill some of the void. Union never had a seventh-grade team. I don’t know how people think you can build programs if you don’t go out and recruit kids to play football. I’d be heartbroken if I didn’t have enough players for two teams. You have to get out in the hallway and get kids interested.”
Clear Creek opens the season Aug. 12 at Pickens. Dodaro noted they will continue to focus on offense, defense and special teams, as well as weight training, in the coming weeks.