2022 Preview: Clinton Red Devils

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Clinton Red Devils know that last year, they were knocking on the door.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton put together an 11-2 season a year ago, losing to Region III-3A champion Chapman by a point and falling to eventual 3A state champion Daniel in the third round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The guys know how close we were to that region title," Clinton head coach Corey Fountain said. "And then the way we lost at Daniel left a bad taste for them. They've really worked hard, they've bought in, and we're looking forward to getting started."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clinton returns a ton of talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Two key RBs are back in the Red Devils' intricate, run-heavy offense, with <strong>Jishun Copeland</strong> and <strong>Bryson James</strong> both returning. Copeland rushed for 845 yards a year ago, while James accounted for 710 yards on the ground and 226 receiving yards. The duo scored 16 touchdowns each. <strong>Jayden Robinson</strong> will also be expected to contribute heavily in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The biggest things with our backs is that you can move them around," Fountain said. "They can play different positions, and they recognize that if they're at wingback, they're also going to be perimeter blockers for us. We can insert those guys in different places and use them in different ways, and that's a huge part of our scheme. If they're unselfish and they block the way they did last year, it's a lot of fun."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='336141' first='Justin' last='Copeland'] returns for Clinton at wide receiver, while his brother <strong>Austin Copeland </strong>will slide over to play QB. Up front, the Red Devils must replace three starters lost to graduation, but have a strong foundation on the OL in <strong>Naiim Mays</strong> and <strong>Vah'Jay Martin</strong>. Junior <strong>Kadon Crawford</strong> will also step up for Clinton, expected to see time at TE, WR, and DE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, some of those same faces will lead Clinton. James is a wrecking ball on defense, with 91 tackles, two interceptions, five sacks, eight tackles for loss, and three blocked kicks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Bryson is probably one of our best OLB," Fountain said. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Copeland brothers will help patrol the secondary, while <strong>Jermihas Smith</strong> returns to join James at LB. <strong>Hezekiah Kinard</strong> and <strong>Eric Robinson</strong> return on the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils are expecting a number of other players to step into key roles, including <strong>CJ Young</strong> and <strong>Taliek Fuller</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->