Clinton is hosting all the championships at Arrow Field again this year. Action gets underway Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the Girls Class 1A-2A-3A title game and concludes Saturday night with the boys Class 6A championship game.

The second-ranked Arrows now 22-2-2, earned their way to the state title game with a convincing 4-0 shutout of Northwest Rankin in the North title game on Jan. 31.

Clinton has also been ranked fourth nationally on MaxPreps National High School Soccer poll.

Gulfport upset top-ranked and undefeated Ocean Springs to reach the championship against Clinton.

CHS last won the Class 6A title in 2009, and won then Class 5A title in 2005 and 2006, all under the direction of 13th year head coach Jeff Long.

“A lot of credit has got to go to our defense,” said Long after his team recorded its 15th shutout in the North title game. “Our defensive starters, Calvin Asemota, Russell Macoon, Graham Bobo, Nathan Usery, and keeper Jake Files are the real deal. One more shutout will give them only 13 goals given up for the season which would be a new team record.”

Clinton also had plenty of offense against the Cougars in the North finals against the Cougars.

The Arrows jumped to a 2-0 halftime lead. Michael Orcutt scored the first goal on a cross from Jimmy Doonan in the game’s fifth minute.

In the 30th minute, CHS went up 2-0 on Datti Jinkiri’s goal set up by a cross from Markel Gladney.

Seventeen minutes into the second half, Orcutt found the back of the net on a through ball from Jinkiri. Oructt’s rocket from 20 yards out to the upper 90 was his 23rd goal of the year.

The final goal was off of a punt from Jake Files to Zaac Crosby on a quick counter attack. Crosby hit the left window of the goal for his 10th goal of the season.

CHS outshot NWR 24-8 with Files getting three saves in his 14th shutout.

“I thought Datti( Jinkiri) had a hugh game for us tonight and with a goal and an assist,” said Long. “Zaac (Crosby) has been a steady spark plug for us all year long, and what a season Michael (Orcutt) has had with 23 goals, nine assists, and nine winning goals. He has been just amazing. Markel (Gladney) has stepped up big time for us lately and given our attach a bug boost. And Joe( Meadors) has unselfishly dominated the midfield all season long for us.”

“I hope we can fill the stands at Arrow Field on Saturday,” said Long. “The energy our fans provide us with has just been incredible and a hugh boost to us. This is a special group of guys who have proved a lot of people wrong. No one thought we would make the title game, but we believed it from day one.”