Clarkson-Leigh eyes success in 2015

Team: Clarkson/Leigh

Mascot: Patriots

Colors: Red, Blue, Gray

Class: D-1

Head Coach: Jim Clarkson (74-74 career record)

2014 record: 5-5 (lost to Heartland in Second Round of Playoffs)

Returning Starters: 4 offense 4 defense

Overview:

The Clarkson/Leigh Patriots look to build off last year's trip to the playoffs that saw them win a game before losing to Heartland to end the season.

Clarkson/Leigh returns four starters on offense in Quarterback Kobe Paprocki (5'10, 170 SR), Center Tyrell Pokorney (6'0, 230 SR), Guard Jake Paprocki (6'0, 240 SR), and Tight End Seth Thompson (5'11, 180 SR).

The Patriots should be solid up front with the return of Jake Paprocki, Thompson, and Pokorney. Clarkson/Leigh should also be solid in the passing game.

The biggest question mark could be in the offensive backfield. The Patriots will be breaking in a new Running Back in Colby Becker. His development and ability to learn quickly will be important to Clarkson/Leigh's success this season. Becker has to help make up for the production lost by the departing Christopher Konicek, who accounted for more than 1,600 yards of offense a year ago.

The Patriots figure to be solid on the Defensive Line with Pokorney and Jake Paprocki returning at Defensive End, and in Paprocki's case, Nose Guard as well.

Other returning starters for Clarkson/Leigh include Thompson at Linebacker and Brad Bunner (6'1, 170 JR) at Safety.

The Patriots should have a stout offense and a stout defense. I don't know if Clarkson/Leigh will be great in a lot of areas, but the Patriots should be solid all the way around.

It's going to take a lot of teamwork for Clarkson/Leigh to get where they want this season. The Patriots have to play as one, and play for each other, not themselves.

Head Coach Jim Clarkson says that Tony Bruhn is a sophomore to watch.

Clarkson/Leigh appears to have a good mix of size and speed. The Patriots shouldn't have many weaknesses this season, and should be able to match up well with most if not all of the teams they play.

I think Clarkson/Leigh is in for a fine season. There doesn't appear to be a game on their schedule that they can't win.


Season Outlook:

Clarkson/Leigh is gearing up for what they hope is another fine season in 2015. The Patriots had success early in the season last year, but stumbled down the stretch.


Clarkson/Leigh started 3-0, but lost four out of their last five regular season games. The Patriots rebounded nicely to win a playoff game, but between the end of the regular season and the playoff loss, Clarkson/Leigh has to be very hungry and anxious for this season to begin.

Clarkson hopes his squad is mentally tougher this season. "We have talked and worked a lot on mental toughness, thought our team lacked that at times last year, and we do not want to repeat that."

Clarkson adds it was nice to rebound in the playoffs last year, but the playoff loss has not been forgotten. "Having the struggle then winning a playoff game was very important to our team.  I know that drubbing we took in the 2nd round has left us with plenty of motivation."

I expect the Patriots to play tough, motivated football this upcoming season. This team no doubt has a chip on their shoulder, and that should only make them tougher and more close knit as the season progresses.

I think Clarkson/Leigh is in for a very fine season, and definitely has the potential to get back to the playoffs and do some damage.

Clarkson says his squad's success all hinges on mental toughness. "Depending on our mental toughness, we could be an average team or a team that may a tough out for many."

The biggest thing for the Patriots is letting bad plays go. If someone messes up on a play, it's best to just let it go and not let it linger into upcoming plays.

Finger pointing and blaming won't get Clarkson/Leigh anywhere either. Not that anyone on the team does that to their teammates, but a positive attitude has to be contagious throughout the team. The Patriots have to remain positive at all times, and not allow negative plays or things get to them.

I really think Clarkson/Leigh has the potential to go 6-2 or 7-1 this season. The Patriots have a favorable schedule, and could run the table until the middle of the season.

Clarkson/Leigh's two toughest games appear to be against Howells-Dodge and Fullerton. Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family and Nebraska Christian won't be easy either.

There's a lot of potential in this team. I think the Patriots have what it takes to make a deeper playoff run this year than they did last year, but a lot of it depends on match ups and how well this team is playing at the end of the season.

Clarkson/Leigh could face some adversity throughout the season, especially in the Howells-Dodge and Fullerton games. The thing the Patriots can't do though is let mistakes snowball. Clarkson/Leigh has to have a short memory, and have the ability to move on to the next play. The Patriots also can't dwell on losses. As Clarkson said Clarkson/Leigh has to be mentally tough this season. If the Patriots are mentally tough this year, they could do big things. If not, then a repeat of last season is possible.

All in all, I look for Clarkson/Leigh to be good, but they have to take care of business against the teams they're supposed to, and step up in the big games. Winning close games will also be critical for the Patriots. 

Clarkson's District D1-6 Predictions:

Howells-Dodge would be my favorite, they just keep reloading. then maybe Fullerton, Nebraska Christian, Humphrey/Holy Family.

Projected Starters:

Offense: QB-Kobe Paprocki, RB-Brad Bunner, RB-Colby Becker, TE-Seth Thompson, TE-Dominik Harper, C-Tyrell Pokorney, G-Tony Cuyler, G-Jake Paprocki

Defense: NG-Brody Boyd, DE-Tyrell Pokorney, DE-Tony Cuyler, LB-Seth Thompson, LB-Colby Becker, CB-Brandon Steffensmeier, CB-Kobe Paprocki, Safety-Brad Bunner

2015 Clarkson-Leigh Patriots Football Schedule:

09/04/15	@ Wakefield	D1
09/11/15	@ Omaha Nation	D1
09/18/15	Cedar Bluffs	D1
09/25/15	@ Howells-Dodge	D1
10/02/15	Fullerton	D1
10/09/15	@ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family	D1
10/16/15	Cross County	D1
10/23/15	Nebraska Christian	D1