Red Devils knock Knights out, set to host Saluda next
Clinton began the Class 2A playoffs Friday night in much the same way the Red Devils ended the regular season – with a dominating victory.
The Red Devils, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, crushed North Central 56-7 at Wilder Stadium, advancing to a second-round playoff next Friday night.
Clinton RB Rhett Gilliam (9) returned to the Red Devils’ lineup for the first time since August due to injury and scored a touchdown Friday night in Clinton’s 56-7 first-round playoff win over North Central at Wilder Stadium.matchupnext Friday night at home against Saluda. The Tigers defeated Mid-Carolina 33-13 to advance.
The victory was the sixth straight for the Red Devils (8-3) this season and the sixth straight playoff win for the defending Class 2A state champions.
Clinton’s defense held the Knights (7-4) to 118 yards in total offense while gaining 399 yards from scrimmage and jumping out to a 42-0 lead by halftime. The lopsided halftime score triggered the SCHSL’s mercy rule, meaning a running clock in the second half.
“We wanted to head straight into them full speed ahead. We wanted to be the hammer, not the nail, and we were that tonight,” said Clinton head coach Corey Fountain. “Our coaches did a great job of preparing them. Our kids did a great job of executing the game plan. I thought in all phases of the game, we performed well tonight. We’ve got to do that each and every week.”
Senior running back Javen Cook rushed nine times for 115 yards and three touchdowns – doing all of that damage in the first half for the Red Devils.
Quarterback Owen Glenn got the scoring started for Clinton with a 51-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game. In addition to Cook’s three scores, Rhett Gilliam and Bryland James also scored rushing touchdowns, and Glenn, who completed 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards, connected with P.J. McGowan on a second-quarter touchdown pass from 11 yards out.
Clinton RB Javen Cook (3) scored three touchdowns in Clinton’s playoff win Friday night.
Mason Tinsley picked off a Brayden Price pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown with just over four minutes left in the first half. Price completed 3 of 9 pass attempts for 15 yards.
Other playoff scores from Friday night:
Ware Shoals 38, Ridge Spring -Monetta 0
Abbeville 63, Great Falls 0
Andrew Jackson 34, Ninety Six 15
Emerald 44, Fountain Inn 36
Woodruff 49, West-Oak 7
Chester 50, Blacksburg 6
Fairfield Central 50, Chesnee 21
Liberty 35, Pelion 14
