The Clinton County Football team fell Friday night to the hands of Metcalfe County, 46-0. The loss is the Dawgs third loss of the season, bringing its record to 3-3 on the year.

Momentum was in favor of the Dawgs at the start of the game as Metcalfe County fumbled the ball on the first play. Clinton County recovered the ball on about the 15 yard line, but was unable to convert that Hornet turnover into a touchdown.

“I felt really good going into the game and especially after the force fumble we had on the opening drive,” Head Coach Jamie Miller said. “We had an excellent play call, but failed to execute. From that point, that little momentum we captured at the beginning of the game turned around and became a snowball effect and continued through the rest of the game.

Miller said his team was plagued with turnovers during the game and that ultimately cost Clinton County the game.

“If you have five or six turnovers against a quality opponent like Metcalfe then you are going to struggle,” Miller said. “We preach ball security everyday at practice. It made for a long night.”

Clinton County’s turnover problem lasted almost the entire game, allowing Metcalfe to go up 28-0 at the half, and finish 46-0 for the win.

“We would drive the ball well then turn it over,” Miller said. “Defense play well at times and not so well at other times. Against a quality opponent you have to play every snap, from the first to the last whistle.”

Clinton County will have it first real road trip this week as the Bulldogs travel to Corbin to play Lynn Camp.

Other than Pickett County, the Bulldogs have been at home for the entire season with the fifth of a five home game stretch ending against Metcalfe County.

“As a staff, we try to give our guys every chance to win, so we try to let them know everything Lynn Camp is going to do,” Miller said. “We have to eliminate turnovers and mental mistakes. That’s just something we have to do. I have some drills we are going to work on, as far as taking care of the football is concerned. That’s the one think that has hurt us in our three losses this year is turnovers. If we can take care of the ball we can beat anybody on our schedule.”

Clinton County’s away game will kick off at 7 p.m. central time, followed by a road trip to Red Boiling Springs, TN, on October 10.

During the week of the Foothills Festival, Clinton County will have a by-week, followed by the final home game of the season against Clay County, TN. Clinton County will wrap up the 2014 season with a road trip to Jackson County on October 31.

Above, C.J. Smith made a good run for a kickoff return during the first half against Metcalfe County Friday night.

Josh Shelton plowed through some defenders and was tackled just shy of a first down in the first half of action Friday night. Clinton County moved to 3-3 after the loss to the Hornets, 46-0.