Clarke Football heads to playoffs; first time in 31 years

Clarke lost to Green County Friday 49-3 making the Indians 5-3 for the regular season.

“The first half we really played them tough,” said head coach Sean Quinlan. “Our kids still made us proud as we were fortunate enough to make the playoff’s. That’s something that hasn’t been done since 1990.”

The team heads to Williamsburg Oct. 22, a team that is number 1 seat in their district. Clarke sits at number 4 in the district. Quinlan knows the team is tough but tells the players often that a good team is able to win on the road so they began prep work by going over film Monday then working on how to take on Williamsburg the rest of the week.

Clarke is heading into the playoff’s with no injuries. They played the last two games with Jack Cooley and Garrett Deihl, quarterbacks, out sick so preparation was difficult for that last couple games but with everyone back they are ready for Williamsburg.

Clarke football went to the playoff’s in 1987 and 1990, both games were lost.

“Regardless of what happens we have a winning season right now for the first time in over 31 years,” said Quinlan. “And if we can pull an upset it would be Clarke’s first playoff victory ever.”

Quinlan attributes this victorious season to the coaching staff, the community, the school and administration and most of all the players that really bought in to what the coaches were doing and worked hard every time they stepped onto the field. It’s been a ‘takes a villiage’ mentality.

“You don’t go from not having a winning season for 30 years to having one without a lot of preparation,” said Quinlan.

There is a Community Pep Rally for the team 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Clarke High School gym and a full send off at 3 p.m. Friday that will include fire trucks traveling with the bus down Highway 34.