Clarke Central defeats South Effingham 28-20 in first GHSA playoff round

Clarke Central defeated South Effingham 28-20 on Saturday to secure its first victory in the Georgia High School Association 6A playoffs. The win marked the first time the Eagles have advanced to the second round of the postseason since 2020. The match took place at Clarke Central's home field in Athens, Georgia.

The Eagles entered the game with a 9-1 record, their first winning season since 2020. They had finished the regular season with a 7-1 mark, including a 3-1 win against Jackson County in the region championship. That earlier loss to Jackson County had been a setback for the team and its coaching staff, but the playoff win erased the sting of that defeat.

Head coach David Perno, 59, has been battling two forms of cancer this year. He lost weight and found it difficult to travel to practices and games during the fall. Perno told his players before the region title game that they were the reason he felt better. He admitted to being out of energy earlier in the season but cited his team's effort as the source of his renewed strength.

Perno described the feeling of the win as a return to life. He hugged his players and let out a yelp as they walked off the field. The coach said the team's resilience allowed them to overcome a deficit in the second quarter. They trailed 12-4 at halftime but scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to take the lead.

South Effingham started strong and led 7-4 in the first quarter. They extended their advantage to 12-4 before the Eagles' defense tightened. Clarke Central's defense held South Effingham to just 20 points, a key factor in the outcome. The Eagles' offense found the end zone three times, with all three touchdowns coming in the second half.

Perno credited his staff and players for keeping him focused during his treatment. He said he had to deal with the coaching duties while managing his health. The team's consistency in practice, even during his absences, helped maintain their level of play. Perno noted that the players treated him with respect and included him in the process.

The Eagles will play in the second round of the playoffs, where they face a team yet to be determined. The win ends a two-year postseason drought for Clarke Central. Perno said the team has more work to do, but the victory provided a clear sense of progress. The Eagles' next game date has not been announced.

Perno expressed gratitude to his wife and family for their support during his illness. He said the coaching job is the only one that makes sense for him at this stage. He plans to continue coaching as long as his health allows. The team will prepare for its next opponent with the momentum from the 28-20 win.