CLAYTON PLANS TO LEAN ON ITS EXPERIENCE IN 2023 By RANDY CAPPS
the newest JNOW product, set to offer website, Game of the Week broadcast
▸ Clayton linebacker Codie Witmer looks to the sidelines during a game last season. (Photo courtesy Kai Jones/We Journal Great Sports)
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might spend We’ve got some most of my time fancy broadcast these days writing equipment that social media and my friends at website copy, but in jococountry.com are my heart, I’m still a teaching me how preps reporter. to use, and we’ll It’s what I was be partnering with Randy Capps in the fall of 1993 them to bring you randy@johnstonnow.com when I got my first the games this fall. newspaper byline, Another guy with and it’s what I will be again this deep roots in preps reporting, our fall. editor Mike Bollinger, is going For the past few seasons, I’ve to be on hand to make sure the been scratching that itch by doing broadcast doesn’t wind up in the a Game of the Week broadcast ditch. for Country SuperStars 102.3. Of Like everything else we’ve done course, with the recent sale of under the JNOW umbrella, this is that station, that wasn’t going to a community focused and driven be an option for this season. endeavor. We’ll be taking ideas, That’s where JoCo Sports comes tips and hopefully content from in. We’ve decided to launch a you to make the site better. website dedicated to covering Of course, the capitalist in me sports here in Johnston County. is compelled to point out that we It’s a project I expect to evolve in have advertising opportunities the weeks and months to come, available as well. but starting in August, we’re So, keep an eye out for the planning on doing our own Game launch of jocosports.com later of the Week during high school this month, and don’t forget to football season, featuring a live tune into the insert sponsor name internet broadcast from one of here High School Football Game the games each week. of the Week.
2023 schedule Aug. 18.........Wake Forest
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LAYTON — Clayton head coach Scott Chadwick will enter his second season at the helm of the Comets with a couple of advantages he didn’t have last summer. The first is the luxury of time. “Actually having had an offseason (was nice,)” he said. “Last year, I got here on June 4, so there really was no opportunity to build culture and totally get my program in place. Now, after a great offseason, I feel great about where we are.” The second is an experienced quarterback in Knightdale transfer Jonathan Montague. The senior completed almost 58 percent of his passes for 1,713 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall while rushing for 318 yards and 10 scores. “We have gotten in a very good transfer quarterback that allows me to fully run my offense,” Chadwick said. Tyric Richardson, a threeyear starter and all-conference selection, and Trei Rivers anchor the offensive line while the team’s leading receiver and another all-league choice, Deon Harris (45 catches, 585 yards, 5 TD) also returns.
Aug. 25........at Holly Springs Sept. 1..........Wakefield Sept. 8.........BYE Sept. 15........Fuquay-Varina* Sept. 22.......at Garner* Sept. 29.......at Southeast Raleigh* Oct. 6...........South Garner* Oct. 13..........at Corinth Holders* Oct. 20.........at Willow Spring* Oct. 27.........Cleveland* * - denotes conference game
Seven starters return from a defense that posted three shutouts while allowing less than 17 points per game. Linebacker Cameron Royal (84 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks), Jordan Caldwell (44 tackles, 15 TFL, seven sacks) and Chris Kinsey (41 tackles, eight TFL, three sacks) are the headliners and senior leaders. “This is a very high character senior class that I am extremely excited to work with,” Chadwick said. “Our best players are back on defense and … I am also encouraged by our overall team speed.” The Comets will try to get the 2023 campaign off to a fast start when they host Wake Forest on Aug. 18.
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