Football Recap: Knoxville Central Skates Past Clinton with Ease

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Previous 3 Games

09/19/25 - Home	51-21 W
09/21/18 - Away	35-14 W
09/22/17 - Home	17-0 W

Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Knoxville Central). They blew past the Clinton Dragons 51-21 on Friday. The Bobcats have beaten the Dragons the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Dragons has come to flipping the script.

Kaden Long was his usual excellent self, rushing for 125 yards and three touchdowns on only eight carries, while also throwing for 245 yards and four TDs on only 16 passes. Those three rushing touchdowns gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Javaston Badgett, who picked up 184 receiving yards and three scores.

Knoxville Central's run defense was locked in: Clinton could only muster 3.1 yards per carry. While four picked up at least two total tackles, Badgett stood above the rest. He picked up 184 receiving yards and three TDs. That's the most yards per carry they've managed all season.

Knoxville Central didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Corey Hedrick and Kaylin Chesney.

Several Dragons players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Bryson Maddox, who picked up 151 receiving yards and one touchdown. Maddox is crushing it when it comes to receiving yards: he's posted at least 137 every time he's taken the field this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaylon Benjamin, who threw for 375 yards and a pair of TDs.

Knoxville Central's win bumped their record up to 4-1. As for Clinton, they are on a six-game losing streak (dating back to last season) that has dropped them down to 0-4.

Coming up, Knoxville Central will square off against Powell at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The Panthers will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more points each match than the last. As for Clinton, they will take on Campbell County at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Dragons will be up against the Cougars' rather soft defense (which has allowed 40.4 points per contest), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance.