By Chris Parker
Clever enters its third season as a varsity football program with eyes on climbing the Mid-Lakes Conference standings with eight offensive and nine defensive starters returning.
“As a program we just need to keep working and to hold each other accountable to the high standards that are being set,” Clever head football coach Jim Genzler said. “Our players have worked extremely hard this off-season and are excited for football season to get here.”
Buddy Carey returns to the backfield. He earned second-team all-conference honors after taking 129 carries for 440 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.
“Buddy is a strong physical runner that is also fast enough to run away from people. He has worked extremely hard this off-season on his strength and speed,” Genzler said. “We will look for Buddy to be a very productive year in all phases of the game along with being a leader on and off the field.”
Carter Wenger returns for his senior season at quarterback after completing 31 passes for 397 yards last year. Colter Newkirk and Gage Evans are also in the mix at quarterback.
Buddy Carey will be joined in the backfield by Austin Scott, Xavier Robinson, Troy St. John-Clark, Brennan West, Dawson Osborne, Trace Barnes, Jack Clasen, and Jack Whitlinger in Clever’s double-wing offense.
Scott led that group in rushing last year with 182 yards. Clasen rushed for 131.
Robinson, Whitlinger, Jacob Brown and Kalib Butts will be receivers to watch.
Three starters return on the offensive line with center Payton Guccione, right tackle Blake Steele and guard Ben Sinclair. Carson Rennison, Lane Watson, Michael Threet, Xanden Lant, and Brandon Raulston are also in the mix on the line.
Experience will be a strength this year.
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
“Our biggest strength will be our experience coming back for our second year in our system,” Genzler said. “Most everyone seems to have a better grasp of what we are trying to get accomplished offensively. We are looking forward to see how well that translates this year on Friday nights.”
The defense will feature many two-way players for Clever.
The middle of the defense at linebacker will feature Buddy Carey, Colter Newkirk, Jack Whitlinger, Austin Scott, Brennan West, Blake Steele, Trace Barnes, Dawson Osborne and Jack Clasen. Clasen led that group with 45 tackles last season. Scott was second with 36 tackles. Carey was just behind him with 34 tackles.
This group will be relied upon for leadership.
“We have players coming back that played a lot of snaps last season. We will look for them to be the center of our defense,” Genzler said.
Up front, Kalib Butts, Lane Watson, Xanden Lant, Carson Rennison, Payton Guccione, and Michael Threet will be on the defensive line.
The secondary will feature Gage Evans, Xavier Robinson, Carter Wenger, Jacob Brown, Troy St. John-Clark and Kaden Smith.
Clever will travel to Hollister for a jamboree with Springfield Catholic and Ava on Aug. 19. The Blue Jays will open Genzler’s second season at the helm of the program on Thursday, Aug. 25 at Springfield Central.
“I am excited about the steps we can take in year two at Clever,” Genzler said. “Our goal as a staff is to keep building this program on a daily basis to make it a competitive program in the Mid-Lakes conference and in Class 2, along with being a program that the community of Clever can be proud of.”
