Clinton 2017 outlook

[Darkhorse#34]

on offense we return 5 well really 6 starters as #50 Chase Jacobs OL saw alot more playing time in the later part of the season.....3 year starter Kris Williams(Clause) returns at QB along with Jaylen Smith at fullback and some experience on the OL with 3 year starters Zeth Pearson and Gage Jackson......Could see some youth in the backfield with Jahiem Faison who was really explosive on JV.....Shameek Darby didnt get too many opportunities to carry the ball this last season but he definitely has the size never realized how big he was till i was standing on the sideline next to him.....one question is will we establish more balance in 2017......our QB is by far out best athlete on the team returning why not let him make plays in space with his feet and arm??? But honestly i dont see much changing. Our whole identity is running the ball and playing strong defense controlling thr clock....i would love to see a change but im not calling the shots

 

[Darkhorse#34]

On defense we return 4 starters graduation really hurt the front 7......Kris Williams and Khari Williams return at the safetys....Taylor Daniel returns on the defensive line and AJ Williamson could play OLB or DE.........Good chance may see alot of youth on defense Jaylen Oates should step in the fill the hole left by Devonte Smith Oates just like Smith is pushing well over 300lbs i expect him to perform well Shameek Darby Javiah Cruise,and Knowledge Evans are some othet names to look out for on defense and could see Jalyen Smith play some linebacker aswell........special teams(Kicking) will be solid as Chandler Perry returns seems like he has been here for years his 4th year kicking for us and also still have Hampton Brock who can punt also Johnson kid from the JV who can kick aswell

 

[Darkhorse#34]

Still a long way to go and cant give a accurate prediction or even ranking for this team based off what we lost to graduation i would not quite peg this as a top 10 team to start the 2017 season i would place us maybe 11-12 but those young guys coming up have some talent JV only lost one game 28-25 to Hoggard should have some more answers in the spring and early summer.....A tough Non Conference schedule i believe our first game of the season is against 4A runner up Cape Fear looking forward to it we are playing some schools we dont play on a normal basis so thats always fun and playinh in a new conference just counting down the days till August

 

[Darkhorse04]

You live and die with your lines, hoping we have some good offensive and defensive linemen. Expect Clause to make a last minute decision whether to even play. If you recall before this past season he waited till after 2-3 days of practice before he decided to play, now him knowing it's a possible "rebuilding" year and some of his friends are gone, I could see him sitting his senior year out to focus solely on basketball. Not saying he will, this is just my own speculation, but it could happen. I hope it doesn't, guess we will see.

 

[Darkhorse#34]

You live and die with your lines, hoping we have some good offensive and defensive linemen. Expect Clause to make a last minute decision whether to even play. If you recall before this past season he waited till after 2-3 days of practice before he decided to play, now him knowing it's a possible "rebuilding" year and some of his friends are gone, I could see him sitting his senior year out to focus solely on basketball. Not saying he will, this is just my own speculation, but it could happen. I hope it doesn't, guess we will see.

I posted something on the Facebook page about athletes no limiting themselves to one sport your really selling yourself short i hope he listens or the people around him do....look Kris Williams(Clause) is a great basketball player but at only 5'11 cant really expect a major D1 scholarship especially if they aint offered it already usually 6'3 and under you better have something really special about your game not tryn to down the kid he has talent on the court but i see more potential for him on the field very similar situation like Rayquan Faison good basketball player better football player just my opinion .........if Clause does not play expect a QB battle between senior Trey Warren and Knowledge Evans.....and i dont think its a rebuilding year if the young guys step up and grow like they should i dont see why we could not make another deep playoff run....record wise with out schedule next year i project some loses 7-3 maybe 6-4 worse case scenario

 

[Wizard of the East]

I believe Clause has recently had tremendous college encouragement to play football as a defensive back. Thant's his window of opportunity at D1
As for the Horses' offense being balanced, I believe it was more balanced this past season than in several season. Clause was a 1,000 yard passer and the last 1,000 yard passer was Stephen Horne in 2001.

 

[Darkhorse#34]

Carson Ellis is a name i forgot to mention along with Brock will be are main receiving threats he was impressive on JV

 

[Wizard of the East]

The Dark ores will be fine in 2017. A much tougher non conference schedule and conference and it should all work out like the old days (2000-2005)

 

[Darkhorse#34]

Rebuilding year??? I dont think so im not expecting a undefeated regular season like this last year i expect some early stumbles especially with the tough non conf schedule and the conference we play in but i wont be surprised to see us in the 3rd round and beyond once again.....i think we will be young i could see alot of first time varsity juniors and sophomores playing key roles.....watch some video on Faison kid could he be the next big thing at Clinton??? I think him and Armwood could be the future check him out

 

[Darkhorse#34]

National signing day less than a week away anyone hear anything about Ryheem Skinner and the other Clinton seniors as far as where they will be playing college football