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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) scores a touchdown during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Gadsden City quaterback Kai Franklin (8) is tackled after keeping the ball during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville safety Xavier Starks (12) jumps up in excitement after blocking a critical pass for Gadsden City during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Aaron Frye (14) throws a jumping first down pass during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) scores a touchdown during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) outruns the Gadsden City defenders scoring a touchdown during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville Safety Ja'Carlos Hunter (12) lays a hit on Gadsden City running back TJ Worthy (5) knocking him off his feet during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville safety Xavier Starks (12) has a penalty called against him for pass interference during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Aaron Frye (14) throws a first down pass during a drive, ultimately leading to a touchdown, during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Jaylen Melton (8) weaves through the Gadsden City defenders during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville defensive lineman Colton McIntyre (96) puts pressure on the Gadsden City quarterback during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville running back Joshua Woods (11) avoids the Gadsden City defender during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville students during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville players watching film of the last drive on the sideline during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville team captains during the coin toss before a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville cheerleaders hang out with WBRC Sideline's Jeh Jeh Pruitt during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville band members during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville band members during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville band members during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville students during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's drum major during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville team members huddle with head coach Stuart Floyd during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville students during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Gadsden City uses a tush push to get their running back extra yardage during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver Jaylen Melton (8) gets a receptionand first down during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville offensive lineman Antonio Powell (79) during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville's defense made good use of group tackling during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville safety Xavier Starks (12) scores a kick off retrun touchdown on the first play during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
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Photo by James Nicholas
Clay-Chalkville linebacker NaKarius Allen (13) lined up ready for the kick off during a game between Clay-Chalkville and Gadsden City High Schools on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Cougar Stadium.
CLAY – It wasn’t always as pretty as the scoreboard indicated, but the Clay-Chalkville High School football team knows better than to take any playoff win for granted.
The Cougars took care of Gadsden City 33-3 on Friday night in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Clay-Chalkville exorcised its playoff demons last year by winning the 2023 state championship, but the people within the program still remember the shocking upset in the first round of the playoffs two years ago on the same Jerry Hood Field.
“These games, everybody’s 0-0,” Clay-Chalkville first-year head coach Stuart Floyd said following the game. “We learned a hard lesson a couple years ago about first-round games and taking people lightly. Our defense played really well, they answered the challenge that we gave them on Monday.”
Clay-Chalkville (9-3 overall) got contributions from all facets of the game Friday night. The Cougars’ special teams got things started, as Xavier Starks returned the game's opening kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown.
“Starting fast was really good for us,” Floyd said. “I didn’t expect it to be on a sky kick, but whatever.”
The Cougars defense was dominant, holding Gadsden City to 163 total yards in the game. Torey Page returned an interception 69 yards for a score in the third quarter as well. The defense notched multiple sacks and Josh Ivy intercepted a pass to end a promising Titans drive in the first half.
Clay’s offense was a bit uneven at times, but the Cougars managed 297 total yards. Aaron Osley extended the lead to 14-0 midway through the opening frame on his 33-yard touchdown run. It was his biggest run of the night, as he carried it 10 times for 86 yards.
The Cougars got into the red zone twice in the second quarter, but settled for Joseph Del Toro field goals of 23 and 30 yards, giving them a 20-3 halftime edge.
Joshua Woods finished the scoring early in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 3-yard run immediately following a Gadsden City turnover. Woods finished the night with 53 yards on eight carries.
Quarterback Aaron Frye completed 12-of-21 passes for 184 yards on the night. His top target was Jacorie Marshall, who gained 66 yards on a pair of catches. Jacari Johnson caught two balls for 37 yards, and Woods had 56 yards on three grabs.
For the Titans, Kai Franklin was 11-of-22 for 46 yards through the air. He also rushed for 44 yards on nine carries. Matthew Sparks was the team’s leading receiver, catching seven passes for 31 yards. TJ Worthy had 12 carries for 38 yards.
Clay-Chalkville will travel to Muscle Shoals next Friday in the second round. The Cougars traveled to play the Trojans in the third round last fall and earned a 44-27 victory.
“We went there last year, so the kids are familiar going to Muscle Shoals,” Floyd said. “They’ve got a lot of experience like we do in the playoffs. What they do is always challenging, offensively especially. It’s a tough environment. They ain’t forgotten about last year, so I’m sure they’ll be ready to play.”
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