Darell Keith and the Clinton Dragons won 34-10 in a Class 5A first-round game Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at McMinn County High School in Athens, Tenn. (Photo by Tanner Walker)
BY JESSE SMITHEY
A month ago, a maelstrom swirled about Clinton High School, as the school and head football coach Darell Keith parted ways in the wake of an investigation into grade tampering/fixing that had already led to two Clinton teachers being let go and a principal resigning.
Keith’s name was only briefly mentioned in a 17-page document presented to the Anderson County Schools board of education that sought the firing of two Clinton teachers.
But also during this time, the TSSAA investigated self-reported violations by Clinton over possibly playing an ineligible player in football.
According to the information submitted in late spring by Clinton to the TSSAA, the association found that the player had been academically ineligible and fined Clinton $250 for playing said player in 13 contests. The Dragons were also asked to forfeit wins from their 13-game season in 2023, a campaign in which they went 6-7 and reached the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
Given new information that has been discovered by Clinton, that decision by the TSSAA could be overturned.
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