Published: August 15, 2007 12:08 am      

Clinton Central strong, fast and very competitive

All-Area players Simmons and Ferrel lead solid senior class

MICHIGANTOWN — For the past two seasons, Clinton Central has been the bridesmaid in the Hoosier Heartland Conference football standings. The current crop of Bulldogs are champing at the bit to change all that.

“We lost by two points to [Lafayette Central Catholic] last year when I decided to go for a field goal,” said Clinton Central coach George Gilbert, whose team was 3-1 in HHC play in 2005 and again in ’06. “We came closer to them than anyone did in the regular season. Catholic has owned our conference for the past three years.”

Catholic and Clinton Central are now in the same sectional (Class A No. 36), as well. And Gilbert would like to see his Bulldogs go a little deeper in sectional play this fall. The Bulldogs lost to Frankton 34-26 in the first round last year.

“One of our goals is to get beyond the first round,” Gilbert explained. “We had to deal with some problems last year. I had to deal with a heart attack and my son was hurt badly. It weighed on the kids. Our No. 1 priority this year is to play Catholic and [two time defending state champion] Sheridan tough. It’s unfortunate to have all these good teams in the same sectional.”

Sectional 36 also includes Clinton Prairie, Eastern, Guerin Catholic, Park Tudor and Tri-Central.

Gilbert will attack opponents with a group of seniors who have been waiting in the wings including senior QB Matt Leighty, who is taking over for the graduated Mitchell Crenshaw.

“Leighty has been waiting for a long time to play,” Gilbert said. “He will be the go-to guy as a senior.”

Senior Chase Simmons gives the Bulldogs a go-to guy in the backfield. The Kokomo Tribune All-Area running back gained 1,297 yards and 14 touchdowns on 192 carries last season. Senior Scott Dunn will also see time at running back after getting a few carries last season.

“Simmons is a very good athlete. He has rushed for over 3,400 yards in his career,” Gilbert said. “Dunn has also been waiting patiently. We will be very deep at the running back position.”

Junior Caleb Simmons and senior Shane Heidt are flankers. Senior Sam Jordan is the top tight end, and senior Ben Watkins will play at left end.

Seniors Landon Ploughe (left tackle), Stephen Robertson (left guard), Thomas Pelling (right guard) and Garrett Ferrel (right tackle) along with junior Chad Kingsolver (center) are returning to the offensive line. Ferrel earned All-Area honors in 2006.

“We are pretty quick and strong,” Gilbert said. “Pelling has become the strongest athlete in school history, and Ferrel is right behind him.”

On defense, Chris Bolton, 6-foot-2, 350 pounds, and junior Lance Miller will play tackle. Pelling and Ferrel are defensive ends. Watkins and Caleb Simmons at outside linebacker. Dunn and Chase Simmons are the middle linebackers. Leighty and Jordan are the cornerbacks, and Jordan Henry will play free safety.

“This is the strongest and fastest team we’ve had here in years,” Gilbert said. “I’m hoping our chemistry will work well and it’s been important that we haven’t had any kids miss practices. They have been working hard and they are all dedicated.”

Clinton Central hosts Brown County Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Clinton Central football:

• COACH: George Gilbert (19th season at CC, 114-90 record at CC, 154-132 record overall)

• CONFERENCE: Hoosier Heartland

• SECTIONAL: Class A No. 36

• SECTIONAL OPPONENTS: Clinton Prairie, Eastern, Guerin Catholic, Lafayette Catholic, Park Tudor, Sheridan and Tri-Central

• 2006 RECAP: The Bulldogs went 7-3 overall and 3-1 in league play. Frankton upended CC 34-26 in the opening round of sectional play.

Bulldogs’ schedule

All games at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Friday Brown County

Aug. 24 at Northwestern, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 at Laf. Catholic, 7 p.m.

Sep. 7 Sheridan

Sep. 14 at Tri-Central, 7 p.m.

Sep. 21 at Tipton

Sep. 28 Carroll

Oct. 5 Clinton Prairie

Oct. 12 at E. Hancock, 7 p.m.

5-year trend

2006 7-3

2005 7-5

2004 4-7

2003 7-3

2002 9-4

Total 34-22 (.607)