Program history

The Volunteers have built one of the state’s most productive programs in a remarkably short window. Following the consolidation of Clay County and Lineville High in 2012, the Vols, led by Head Coach Steve Giddens would go on to win 10 games, a region championship, and advance to round two in the playoffs. The following year, the team, now led by Coach Kris Herron, would return to the playoffs after another 10 win season.

As the program matured, it kept moving forward through classification/region shifts and a steady rise into statewide relevance. Under Head Coach Kris Herron, the Volunteers captured another region title in 2016—an important marker because it showed the early success wasn’t a one-off. That 2016 campaign included a move into Region 4 and ended with a Class 5A Region 4 championship.

Following the 2017 season, Head Coach Kris Herron would resign and former Clay County High Coach Danny Horn would return to lead the team to their first state championship win and 12 win season in 2018. Horn’s Volunteers became back-to-back state champions in 2019 following their 13 win season, in the 2019 season the Vols also scored a program-best 530 points.

Even without decades of history, the Volunteers are a team with the statistical footprint of a long-established power. The Vols have an overall record of 138–38 (78% win percentage), 14 playoff appearances (24–12 playoff record), 2 state playoff titles (2018, 2019) and 8 region/area titles (2012, 2016, 2020–2025). Clay Central has been led by two AHSAA Hall of Fame Head Coaches, Steve Giddens (2012) and Danny Horn (2018-Current). The Vols have produced 31 all-state players, and multiple notable College and Professional Athletes.