PREPS: Dome Dream

What a night of high school football! The Clarke Central Gladiators have taken Class AAAA by storm in the postseason and tonight secured their spot in the state championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with a blowout 28-0 victory over the Rockdale County Bulldogs. Next Friday night the Gladiators will face Sandy Creek for what could be their first state title since 1985.
I was really impressed with the Glads defense. The Bulldogs only crossed midfield a couple of times as the defense crushed play after play. They also put up the only 7pts of the first half with a Derrick Smalls interception returned for a touchdown. The offense wasn't too shabby in the second half scoring 3 touchdowns of their own.
This is the furthest a team I've covered has ever made it in the playoffs. I have always wanted a chance to be there to document a high school team go all the way. As a photojournalist with a passion for shooting sports this is the pentacle, not the NCAA National Championship, not the Super Bowl. What makes this so special is the raw emotion. These kids wear everything on their sleeves and leave it all out there on the field. It isn't about politics, money, endorsement deals, just about pride and the love of the game.


Clarke Central's Martay Mattox, left, stares down Rockdale players during the coin toss before the Gladiators' 28-0 victory over the Bulldogs in the Class AAAA state semi-finals Friday night at Billy Henderson Stadium.










Clarke Central's Derrick Smalls gestures to the fans after returning an interception for a touchdown in the 1st quarter.


Clarke Central's Dimitri Holmes is penalized for an unintentional facemask against Rockdale's Bryon Lawrence in the 1st quarter.


Clarke Central's Martay Mattox runs the ball in the first half.


Clarke Central's Martay Mattox fumbles the ball in the first half.


Clarke Central's Jordan Pierce makes a tackle in the first half.


Clarke Central's Jordan Pierce, left, and Devonte Yearby celebrate Pierce's interception late in the 2nd quarter.


Clarke Central defenders take down Rockdale County QB Isaiah Gresham in the second half.


rke Central's Dimitri Holmes breaks lose on a run in the first half.


Clarke Central's Dimitri Holmes yells out in celebration after returning a kickoff to start the second half in for a touchdown.


Clarke Central's Devonte Yearby sacks Rockdale County QB Isaiah Gresham in the 4th quarter.


Clarke Central's Dimitri Holmes fumbles the ball on a punt return in the second half.


Clarke Central's Quenshaun Watson runs through a tackle by Rockdale's Isaiah Gresham for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Clarke Central's Quenshaun Watson is held up by teammate Alan Posey after a 3rd quarter touchdown.


Clarke Central's Devonte Yearby grabs the jersey of Rockdale County QB Isiah Gresham as other defenders swarm in during the 4th quarter.


Clarke Central's Tony Glenn bats the ball out of the grasp of Rockdale's Chris Smith in the second half.


Clarke Central students cheer on the Gladiators' defense late in the 4th quarter.


Clarke Central's JR Blackmon sacks Rockdale County QB Isaiah Gresham in the 4th quarter.


Clarke Central's Devonte Yearby sacks Rockdale County QB Isaiah Gresham knocking the ball loose.


Clarke Central's Devonte Yearby eyes a fumbled ball by Rockdale County QB Isaiah Gresham in the second half before recovering it.


Clarke Central's Dimitri Holmes, left, and QB Martay Mattox celebrate behind the bench in the final minutes.


Clarke Central Gladiators Shamel Moody, left, and Devante Derricotte scream in celebration.


Clarke Central Gladiators from left Tony Glenn, Kadeem Combs, and Devante Derricotte dance.


Clarke Central's Derrick Smalls, left, and Quenshaun Watson embrace.


Clarke Central Gladiators Tony Glenn, right, and Derrick Smalls celebrate their 28-0 victory over the Rockdale County Bulldogs in the Class AAAA state semi-finals Friday night at Billy Henderson Stadium.


Clarke Central Gladiators from left Dawun BIllups, Shamel Moody and Devante Derricotte celebrate their 28-0 victory over the Rockdale County Bulldogs in the Class AAAA state semi-finals Friday night at Billy Henderson Stadium. The win will send the Gladiators to the Georgia Dome next Friday to play for the state championship.