Clear Creek Middle School is set to kick off its 2022 football season.
The Bobcats worked diligently over the summer as they split time between the weight room and practice field. During June, workouts were held at Huff-Mosley, and following the mandated dead week at the start of July, the Bobcats continued to lift weights and practice at their facility at CCMS.
There are 52 combined players in the program in seventh and eighth grade. The older group is the defending Mountain League champions, while the seventh graders have been getting accustomed to middle school football.
“The eighth graders are going to have a target on their back, and everyone is going to want to come after them,” said head coach Willie Dodaro. “We’ve not only worked out to get better, but we have to get better. We have to be much better, and that was our focus with them.
“For our seventh grade, outside of spring ball, this is the first time they really got into the weight room and learned how to lift really well. We started with coach Jeff Nelson at the high school and that helped us out. Hopefully, we got a little stronger and a little better. The problem is some of the kids never played park and rec. With them, it’s been about learning the game of football.”
CCMS hosted a seven-on-seven passing competition and lineman challenge. Holy Innocence, Red Bud and Ashworth Middle were in attendance, and the Bobcats won the passing event while linemen came in second.
“We had a really good day. I hate when the linemen don’t get to participate (during some summer activities) and are sent home. I want to have them doing something too and competing against other kids,” Dodaro said.
“We really don’t throw much in our offensive practice, but it was good to see other teams because all of our opponents throw the heck out of the ball. We’ve got to get that secondary ready.”
Dodaro assessed the offseason overall, saying, “I’m real happy. We’re doing what we need to do as a middle school to prepare our kids for Coach Standard at the high school. We’re getting the terminology repeated for the eighth graders, and the seventh graders are learning the terminology. We’re keeping the program one big program.”
There are seven opponents on Clear Creek’s schedule, but two of them do not field a seventh-grade team. On those days, there will only be one game, which Dodaro does not consider a setback.
“It gives us an advantage because it gives those kids more practice time. The ones (seventh graders) who know how to play, hopefully we can get them into the game,” he said.
CCMS will begin its season on the road next Thursday at Fannin County. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m., and the game will be played at Fannin County High School.
2022 Schedule
Aug. 15 at Fannin Co.
Aug. 22 vs. White Co.
Aug. 29 at Union Co.
Sept. 6 vs. Dawson Co.
Sept. 12 vs. Towns Co.
Sept. 19 at Lumpkin Co.
Sept. 26 at Pickens
Oct. 3 Playoffs
Oct. 10 Championship
Kickoff at 5 p.m.