East Clarendon football looks to overcome early-season injury
2-year starting quarterback Takoda Cornelius lost for year in opening game
Turbeville – The East Clarendon High School football team opened its season with an impressive 39-0 home victory over Scott’s Branch on August 22 at Shad Hall Field. However, it came at a high cost.
Takoda Cornelius, the starting quarterback for the past two seasons who was going to be moved around the field this year, broke his leg and suffered a serious ankle injury in the first half. He is out for the remainder of his senior season.
It’s a sad situation,” said Larry Cornelius, the Wolverines’ head coach and the father of Takoda. “I feel really bad for him. Unfortunately, that’s part of the game. It was tough having to coach the rest of the game with Takoda at the hospital.
“He had lined up at quarterback for one play and threw a touchdown pass to Crosby Timmons. The first half was pretty fun up until that point.”
East Clarendon is coming off of an 8-4 season in which it reached the second round of the AA state playoffs for the second straight year. With eight starters back on both sides of the ball, expectations were high. Coach Cornelius said that has not changed.
“One kid doesn’t define our season,” he said. “We’re very capable of winning still. It changes some things. He was going to be our gadget guy who any time he touches the ball has a chance to go for a touchdown. We’re going to have to play fundamental football to win games.”
The Wolverines improved to 2-0 with a 32-0 triumph over Ridgeland in GAme 2.
Sophomore Gavin White is the starting quarterback. White completed 8 of 13 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wolverines will be employing a trio of running backs in senior Tyquan Wilson, junior Blease Hardy and freshman Skyler Cornelius, the coach’s younger son.
All three were effective against Scott’s Branch. Wilson had 11 carries for 51 yards, Hardy had seven carries for 41 yards and a touchdown, and Skyler Cornelius had 37 yards and score on nine carries.
Timmons, a junior, senior Mike Woods and freshman Easton Donlon are the targets at wide receiver. Sophomore Jordan Green had two catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Junior Johnny Boyington is the tight end.
The Wolverines have all five of their starters back on the offensive line as well as the top two reserves. The line is made up of sophomore Jesse Floyd at left tackle, junior Colten Baker at center, senior Xavier Smith at right guard and junior Walker Kirby at right tackle. Junior Kollin Brown and freshman Koy Wright are splitting time at right guard.
“That’s where we’re hanging our hat,” Coach Cornelius said.
Smith is back to anchor the Wolverines 3-man defensive front at noseguard. Senior Jaylon Barron and Floyd are the ends.
Woods is one of the starters at outside linebacker. The other spot is being shared by junior Ke’Shaun Porter and senior Barnes McConnell. The inside starters at linebacker are senior Thomas Fitts and junior Shamar Graham.
The secondary has junior Picasso Brown and junior Braylon Brown at the cornerback slots. Senior Wesley Springs is the free safety and Skyler Cornelius will be the strong safety.
Diego Sanchez is the placekicker and booted a 29-yard field goal against Scott’s Branch. “Who knows the last time East Clarendon kicked a field goal,” Coach Cornelius said with a laugh.
Hardy is the punter.
