The Clinton Red Devils football team secured the CNNGA championship belt on Friday night, defeating Newberry 39-28 at Mike Ware Field. This victory marks the 96th meeting between the two programs and allows Clinton to reclaim the belt after Newberry held it last season. The Red Devils, currently ranked second in Class 2A, have now won four of their last five contests against the Bulldogs.
Senior quarterback Owen Glenn was named the game’s Most Valuable Player by CNNGA, outperforming Newberry’s Sincerer Glymph in a battle of dual-threat quarterbacks. Glenn contributed significantly to Clinton’s offense with touchdown runs of 21 and 80 yards, in addition to a 30-yard scoring pass to Graydon Watkins. Watkins also made a key defensive play, returning a Glymph interception 21 yards for a touchdown, helping the Red Devils establish a 20-7 lead in the first quarter.
Both quarterbacks demonstrated strong rushing performances. Glenn carried the ball seven times for a game-high 129 yards and completed three of six passes for 73 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. Glymph rushed 25 times for 122 yards and three touchdowns, while also completing 12 of 16 pass attempts for 137 yards and throwing two interceptions.
Clinton’s offense managed to accumulate 326 rushing yards and a total of 399 yards of offense, despite playing without their leading rusher, Angelo Cromer, who was sidelined due to an injury. The game saw a dynamic scoring exchange, with Clinton maintaining a lead throughout much of the contest. Key scoring plays included A’Javian James’ 7-yard run, Cam Croft’s 47-yard run, and additional touchdowns from Glenn and Watkins.
Game Summary: Clinton 39, Newberry 28
First Quarter:
- Clinton: A’Javian James 7-yard run (Gray Garrett kick), 8:42, 7-0
- Newberry: Weston Chapman 12-yard pass from Sincerer Glymph, 6:52, 7-7
- Clinton: Owen Glenn 21-yard run (kick failed), 4:22, 13-7
- Clinton: Graydon Watkins 21-yard interception return, 3:38, 20-7
Second Quarter:
- Newberry: Glymph 4-yard run (Eric Rubio kick), 4:00, 20-14
- Clinton: Cam Croft 47-yard run (Garrett kick), 2:37, 27-14
Third Quarter:
- Newberry: Glymph 32-yard run (Rubio kick), 7:23, 27-21
- Clinton: Watkins 30-yard pass from Glenn (run failed), 1:00, 33-21
- Newberry: Glymph 1-yard run (Rubio kick), :18, 33-28
- Clinton: Glenn 80-yard run (pass failed), :00, 39-28
