Clarkson ready for the big game

Clarkson ready for the big game
By Andy Dygert

    CLARKSON- The Clarkson football team just won the biggest game in Red Devil program history - beating rival Humphrey St. Francis at the Flyers home field in overtime 22-20.
    So now they can breathe easier, right?
    Wrong.
    Thursday night at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, the Red Devils will have to turn around from their highly-emotional semifinal game against the Flyers and play the new biggest game in program history - the Class D-1 state championship game.  Clarkson (10-2) will be facing Elgin Pope John (12-0), which is coming off a 40-21 thrashing of Elwood in its semifinal contest.
    Clarkson head coach Jim Clarkson, however, isn't too concerned about his team practicing hard and preparing themselves for the match.
    "Sure, we were just in a big game," Clarkson said.  "But this is the state championship game, so its pretty easy to get up for it.  The kids will work hard for this game."
    The other thing will be getting his kids rested enough following their brutal struggle against a St. Francis team unwilling to give up without a fight.  No one was happier than Elgin Pope John when the Red Devils had to go into overtime, while Pope John put its game on cruise control, enjoying a huge lead.
    "I feel (our practices) have been pretty good, though we're a little banged up because it was a tough game," Clarkson said.  "We have a few guys who need to get things healed up, but other than that practice has been good."
    One thing that may work to Clarkson's favor is the fact that Pope John is a fairly similar team to St. Francis.  Clarkson and his coaching staff have been studying lots of game tape, and they noticed several similarities.
    "I know they're fast, they do a lot of innovative things on offense," Clarkson said.  "They do a lot of flying around, they look pretty good.  Athlete-wise I'd say they're very similar to St. Francis.  Same size and everything."
    Clarkson was quick to point out that the similarity may not work out in the Red Devils' favor, however.  After all, St. Francis nearly pulled out the game against Clarkson Saturday, and the Flyers did beat the Red Devils 30-28 earlier in the season.  But at least Clarkson has and idea of what his team will be getting into.
    "We'll try to use our strengths the best we can against them, and hopefully it'll work out," Clarkson said.
    The thing Clarkson may be most concerned about is how his players will adjust to playing at a venue such as Memorial Stadium.
    "The biggest thing will be the stadium," Clarkson said.  "Getting used to that.  I know Pope John doesn't have (any players) who have been there either, so it's kind of a new experience for both of us.  At the end of the day, though, it's a game of football on that field, so hopefully we'll be able to put that aside and go after it."
    On thing that may bring a sort of home field atmosphere to the glitz of Memorial Stadium is the fan base of the Red Devils.
    Clarkson expects to see a large portion of the town, as well as many alumni, at the game.  He said the fans have been incredible all year and have helped his team with their support.
    "We have great fans who have been very supportive," Clarkson said.  "They were rocking that place at St. Francis Saturday.  They've really gotten behind us.  There are signs up all over the town.  They get us jacked up and it's fun.  Probably half the town will be there and who know from where else (our fans) will come from.  Being the first time down (at the championship game), it will bring a lot of alumni."
    Glamorous stadium, pumped-up fan base, Elgin Pope John - none of these will mean anything if the Red Devil players can't put together their game plan.  Clarkson believes his team is committed to play well in the game, and he cited a reason for it.
    "It's kind of funny," Clarkson said.  "On the way back to Clarkson from Humphrey Saturday, our senior quarterback, Eric Brabec, stood up and told us a story.  He, and a couple of guys on the team, when they were kids, wrote something on a barn wall.  It said, 'State Champs in 2007!'  So, I know this opportunity means the world to them."
    Commitment is the word Clarkson used to describe his team, and he said he and his players and coaches don't just want to go down and play in the championship game - they want to win it.
    Win or lose, if he could ask for one thing it's this:
    "Going down to Lincoln for the state championship game is special," Clarkson said.  "I hope the kids enjoy it.  I know I'm going to."


(from Columbus Telegram, 11/14/07)