The top matchup for Week 9 in Class A DII was Clinch County vs Brooks County. The top-ranked programs first met in 1959, and starting in 2012, the rivalry game has been an annual matchup. Brooks County has won 9 of the last 12 games, but this season, the undefeated Clinch County had different plans.
Both teams sparred back and forth, with neither team finding passage into the endzone until 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Brooks County drove down to the 20-yard line and was lining up for a 33-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Clinch SR Fred Causey was out to the side, preparing to block the kick. He timed the snap, got into the backfield in a hurry, and forcefully blocked the kick straight down. The ball bounced with velocity, popping off the turf and straight back into the air, where JR Jakyri Posley caught the football, running in full stride. Both Clinch players sprinted the final 70 yards towards the endzone, giving them a 6-0 lead. To cap the game off, Causey nabbed his 7th interception of the season with Brooks County attempting to throw deep with seconds remaining.
The play was voted the top play of the week in the state of Georgia, and Clinch continues to stay undefeated on the year with an 8-0 record.
“SR year has been one of my best years with the team, and where I get to really put my talents on display,” Fred Causey said.
Posley followed up, “Junior season has been great. We got off to a great start. We have cut it close to some teams that we were supposed to blow out, but we still came out on top.”
Posley said he was shocked that the game came down to a blocked field goal, but that speaks to the progress Clinch has made over the last few seasons. They are the #2 team in our DII polls, and have a balanced set of skill players to battle for a state title.
“My goals to finish off the season are, to most importantly, win state, and another thing is to have better chemistry,” Posley said.
On the recruiting front, the Clinch athletes have been attempting to grow college interest.
“Recruiting is going good, but it’s just taking its time. I have not taken any college visits, but I hope to in the future,” Causey said
The Clinch SR was a Preseason All-State selection and is currently the classification leader with 7 interceptions. He has earned interest from local programs, and we believe more schools will become interested.
“I think what separates me from the others in my recruiting class is that I’m all about teamwork and hustle,” said Causey.
For Posley, the recruiting process has just begun, and he is accumulating film for now and has not garnered much college interest. He said that his JR film should be out soon. Standing at around 6’1″ and 180 lbs., Posley showed off a long running gait that shows the type of athleticism to play at a high level.
“What separates me from others is my work ethic and love for the game,” Posley said.
The two Clinch athletes have a passion for the game, and that exuberance and dedication towards the program have the Panthers on a path for a state title game, if they continue their current trajectory. Of course, recruiting buzz will get louder with each win, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X to hear the latest on Causey and Posley, plus athletes from across the state of Georgia.
