The Clinton County Bulldogs opened its season last Friday night at neighboring Pickett County, Tennessee. The Bulldogs scored the first points of the game with a touchdown midway through the first quarter, but a failed attempt on the extra point saw Clinton County with just a 6-0 lead.

The Dawgs would fail to score again as Pickett County scored a touchdown and two-point conversion on its first possession, followed by scoring 12 straight for the remainder of the game. Clinton County lost by a final of 20-6.

Head Coach Jamie Miller said his team should have won Friday night’s game.

“We have to take care of the football,” Miller said. “We had bad snaps, dropped balls and bad throws. We put the ball on the ground 11 times and that’s two years in a row we’ve done that against Pickett County and it’s cost us the game both times.”

On the bright side, Miller said he felt like when his team was making good snaps, they were running the offense well.

“We moved the ball pretty good,” Miller said. “We are going to have to work hard this week on taking care of the football.”

Most of the preseason for the Bulldogs was non-existent because the only scrimmage game scheduled was canceled. Prior to Friday night’s game, Miller still hadn’t decided who should play quarterback. He said once he put a couple of people in that position during a live game, he finally decided to keep Eli Brown in the QB slot.

“I have three quarterbacks who each have their own talents,” Miller said. “I needed to play all of them in a game situation.”

Up next for Clinton County will be a five game home stretch with Trimble County this Friday night. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“It’s been a very tight game every year we’ve played them,” Miller said. “They’ve not played a game yet so Friday will be their first game.”

Last year, Clinton County won it’s first game of the season against Trimble County, 13-6. Miller said his team has a lot to work on this week, but he will be ready come Friday night.

“I don’t ever question their effort or their desire to win,” Miller said.

After Friday night’s home opener, Clinton County will host McCreary, Jenkins, Caverna and Metcalfe County. All of those home contests will have a 7 p.m. kick off.

Tristen Lehman ran the ball during the first possession of Friday night’s game against Pickett County. Clinton County lost the game, 20-6.

Quarterback Eli Brown took the ball himself during a play in the first quarter. Clinton County used up half of the time clock in the first quarter before scoring the first touchdown of the game.