Clinton County Football Preview
By Perry Swack
Clinton County Bulldogs
Coach: Rocky Tallent, Third Season
Record at School: 9-7
2020 Record: 2-3
Lost to Edmonson County, 26-12, in the opening round of the 2A Playoffs
Starters Returning: 7 on Offense, 8 on Defense
2020 was a season unlike any other. We all know that. Offseasons were shortened, practices were complex, and games were canceled. However, few Kentucky high school football programs were as affected as Clinton County was. The Bulldogs were one of only nine schools across the Commonwealth to play only four regular season games. With five games canceled or postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, coach Rocky Tallent’s crew were unable to consistently get on the field. In fact, until October 30, the Bulldogs had only played two games (one in September and one in October).
With COVID-19 protocols mostly cleared throughout the offseason, Clinton County has been able to take the field with much more regularity. “This offseason has been totally different from last season,” explained Tallent. “It is like it used to be before the pandemic…it’s like a real football offseason!” The program hopes that the extra practice coupled with the fact that 15 total starters return will help the settle the team moving into the new season.
The Bulldogs will sorely miss the graduated Chase Stines. The outgoing senior led the team in passing, rushing, and total tackles. The only quarterback listed on the roster to date is Bently Boils. The incoming sophomore took snaps behind Stines in all four regular season games and will assumedly be given the keys to the offense in 2021. Running back Malachi Upchurch is the leading returning rusher after rushing behind Stines as well last season. The junior’s best game of 2020 was a 10-rush, 57-yard performance in a 44-14 victory over Green County in the season’s final week. The most productive offensive returner is Bryson Cross. In only five games, Cross caught 25 passes for 435 yards and seven touchdowns. The senior will be asked to help put up points for the Bulldogs after a breakout 2020 campaign. Fellow senior wideout Adam Herald also had a great season last year, catching 15 passes for 310 yards and scoring four times. The Bulldog offense was very balanced a season ago, running nearly as often as it passed. How will it look in 2021? Only time will tell.
On defense, Clinton County is due to return ten of its top eleven tacklers from a season ago. Cross is the team’s leading returning tackler after recording 33 last year. He and Herald combined for all of the team’s interceptions as Cross picked off opposing quarterbacks twice and Herald once. Tallent and his staff expect big seasons from its linebacking core of Cole Nuetzman, Evan Little, and Landon Brown. The trio combined for 74 tackles (Nuetzman 18, Little 33, and Brown 23), 19 tackles for losses (Nuetzman 8, Little 5, and Brown 6), and seven sacks led by Nuetzman’s four. Returning most of its defensive lineup will only help the Bulldogs in 2021.
The third district in Class 2A is full of schools with a strong football history. Defending champion Metcalfe County will be a tough out, along with storied programs Edmonson County and Monroe County. “The game circled on our schedule is our opening game of district play against Metcalfe County,” Tallent said. “They are the defending district champion and put it on us pretty bad last year.” That first district game in Albany on September 17 will tell us exactly where the Bulldogs stand in what they hope will be a much more normal season.
