We tell you everything you need to know about the 2024 Clinch County High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Panthers this season.
2023 Stats
- Overall Record: 11-2
- Points Scored: 437
- Points Allowed: 187
Key Losses
Clinch County’s biggest loss from last year’s 11-win team is Jeremy Bell, who turned down several full scholarship offers to accept a preferred walk-on at the University of Georgia.
The last two seasons at Clinch County saw Bell make quite the impact on offense and special teams. He had 1,156 yards receiving with 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he rushed for 943 yards with 16 TDs last year alone. Bell also had a rushing TD in 2022. On special teams he had 1,064 return yards on kickoffs and punt returns, including one kickoff returned for a TD and one punt returned for a TD last season.
Another talent who will be missed is offensive and defensive lineman Elijah Cobb.
Who’s Back
Among the Panthers returning this year, you can include former Clinch County head football coach Jim Dickerson, who is back as head coach. A decision will be made at season’s end whether Dickerson will remain in that role.
Dickerson said the top players returning include junior linemen Alvin Green and Calyja Lee.
Xavion Johnson, a player whom Dickerson described as a Swiss army knife, will return. Johnson earned that name because he can play anywhere, including running back, linebacker, and along both offensive and defensive lines.
Senior quarterback and strong safety Aaron Bryant had 194 carries for 1,443 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2023, along with 433 yards passing and five TDs. He rushed for over 100 yards in nine of the Panthers’ 13 games last season.
Sophomore Travis Miller will return at outside linebacker.
Fellow linebacker Blaze Small also returns.
What to Expect
Dickerson said that Clinch County is in a good place.
“The culture is really good here, and the (coaching change) transition has been very smooth,” he said.
Voluntary offseason workout attendance has been right at 100%, the veteran coach said, and the team has worked hard in the weight room. The Panthers did not have spring practice, but Dickerson likes what he has seen so far and feels like the team is ready to go.
“We have about 45-50 kids on the roster, and that’s what we’ll go into the season with,” Dickerson said.
Clinch County will be young with just four seniors on the team, but there’s still a lot of experience with most of the team’s starters having played as freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
Prediction
9-4 overall record. Clinch County will have Brooks County and Irwin County as new region mates in 2024, so another region title could be tough.
Game to Watch
Oct. 11 versus Brooks County
