CLINTON -- There's a new regime leading the Maroons program.
Nick Blackburn takes over after serving as an assistant at Cerro Gordo-Bement and his alma mater, St. Teresa.
Blackburn has four returning starters on the offensive line and the lines on both sides of the ball might be the team's strength. Seniors Kyle Hammer and Garrett Hayden are among the standouts
Junior Christian Reynolds assumes the starting quarterback job, while sophomore Tyrese Petty will push senior Bryson Carson for the starting job at running back.
Blackburn says the receiver group might be the most talented on the squad. The Maroons feature seniors Keshon Rucker, Kaleb Johnson, Blake Karr and Jacob Hospelhorn, the lone returning starter at any offensive skill position.
Click the video above to hear from Blackburn, Hospelhorn and Hammer on what this season will hold for the Maroons, plus how the coaching staff has been conducting practice.
Clinton Maroons
Head coach: Nick Blackburn
Record in 2016: 4-5
Returning starters: 5 (offense and defense both); 4 on offensive line
Week 1 opponent: @ Villa Grove-Heritage
Two-A-Day Checklist
Monday 8/7: Maroa-Forsyth (6 p.m.)
Monday 8/7: St. Teresa (10 p.m.)
Tuesday 8/8: Eisenhower (6 p.m.)
Tuesday 8/8: MacArthur (10 p.m.)
Wednesday 8/9: Mt. Zion (6 p.m.)
Thursday 8/10: Monticello (6 p.m.)
Thursday 8/10: Effingham (10 p.m.)
Friday 8/11: Warrensburg-Latham (6 p.m.)
Friday 8/11: Shelbyville (10 p.m.)
Saturday 8/12: Central A&M (6 p.m.)
Saturday 8/12: Cerro Gordo-Bement (10 p.m.)
Sunday 8/13: Tuscola (10 p.m.)
Monday 8/14: Argenta-Oreana (6 p.m.)
Monday 8/14: Clinton (10 p.m.)
