High school football preview: Clearview Clippers
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It’s the final score of Clearview’s first-round playoff loss to Ottawa-Glandorf last season — 56-12. It’s also become a source of motivation as the Clippers enter the 2009 season — 56-12.
Clearview went 10-0 during the regular season in 2008 and won its second straight outright Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division title, but thanks to the lopsided playoff defeat, third-year coach Mike Collier and his players aren’t satisfied.
“We’d definitely like a repeat of last season’s regular season, but we want to do more damage in the postseason,” said Collier. “It was disappointing, especially the margin of that defeat. We haven’t let any of the guys forget it, either.
We were proud of what we accomplished, but we weren’t happy with how it ended.”
The Clippers were seeded No. 2 in the Division IV regional playoffs, which allowed them to host the first-round game. During the regular season, junior tailback Anthony Hitchens rolled up 1,600 yards on the opposition, but Ottawa-Glandorf found a way to defuse the explosive running back.
Clearview's Anthony Hitchens is tackled in last year's playoff loss to Ottawa-Glandorf. Hitchens has come into this season “like a man on a mission,” coach Mike Collier said. (CT file photo.)
“Last year, our goal was to make the playoffs,” said Hitchens, who also plays linebacker. “This year, our goal is to get out of that first round and keep going … possibly to state.
“Every time Coach sees someone slacking, 56-12 automatically comes to mind. That motivates us to work harder on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom.”
Clearview's Zach Anderson is tackled in last year's playoff loss to Ottawa-Glandorf. "We will never forget that final score," he said. (CT file photo.)
Collier says Hitchens has come into this season “like a man on a mission.” That statement alone should make the Clippers’ opponents cringe.
“He’s gotten a lot of looks from Division I schools for a reason,” Collier said. “He wants his senior year to be his best. He worked extremely hard this offseason and continues to lead by example.”
Collier said the reason for last season’s playoff meltdown was physicality — Ottawa-Glandorf had it, the Clippers did not.
“We need to be more physical if we expect to do more this season,” he said. “That was our downfall last season, and we need to do a better job.”
The need for more physical play has resonated with the Clippers players, especially the nine seniors on offense.
“That’s really been our rallying cry for this season,” senior quarterback Zach Anderson said. “We will never forget that final score, and that makes us work even harder than before.
“We want to put a banner up at Clearview that says ‘State Football Champs,’ and we’re working even harder to try to make that happen.”
Prior to the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers were one of the hottest teams in Lorain County. They were rarely tested during their undefeated regular season, and looked to make their 13th appearance in the state football playoffs one to remember.
The Clippers certainly have enough returning to make them the favorite not only in the Stripes Division, but also the entire PAC. However, they are more than just a one-man team.
“Teams are going to lock in on me, but my teammates are good enough to make the plays for us to win,” Hitchens said. “If they want to lock in on me, that’s fine, but any of those other guys can beat you, too.”
The other guys include Hitchens’ close friends Anderson, a dual-threat quarterback, Tony Williams, a big-play receiver, and fullback Curtis Austin.
“Everyone knows that we’re a run-first team,” Anderson said. “Teams can pack the line, and Anthony can either make them miss or run right over them.
“But, I’m going to try to get the ball out quick and let Tony and Curtis do the work. They can make people miss and break some big plays, too.”
The Clippers know they enter this season as the team to beat. When you go unbeaten through the regular season, teams tend to circle you on their schedules.
“This division will be a lot more competitive than in years past,” Collier said. “Lutheran West is always strong, Oberlin has improved (and) Columbia and Brooklyn have a lot of young talent back. I think, across the board, the entire conference is better.
“The guys know they have a bull’s-eye on their backs, but they have big expectations for themselves as well. We just have to maintain our focus in order to play at a higher level.”
Clearview Clippers
- Coach: Mike Collier, 3rd year
- Conference: Patriot Athletic, Stripes Division
- 2008 record: 10-1, 7-0
- Fast fact: The Clippers posted the area’s top defense last season, surrendering just 106 points (10.6 per game).
Schedule
- Aug. 28: at Margaretta
- Sept. 4: at Vermilion
- Sept. 11: Fairview
- Sept. 18: Wellington
- Sept. 25: at Buckeye
- Oct. 2: Columbia
- Oct. 9: at Brooklyn
- Oct. 16: Lutheran West
- Oct. 23: Brookside
- Oct. 30: at Oberlin
Contact Dan Gilles at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.
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