The Clarksville football team will look to continue its rise in the 8-Player class after reaching the state quarterfinals last season with a younger group stepping up this year.
The Indians graduated top rushers, MaKade Bloker who accounted for 1,863 yards and 29 touchdowns and Eli Schmidt who had 11 touchdowns.
Head Coach Darren Bohlen on adjustments to the offense.
“It’s not too often you have three guys in the backfield that have the speed that we had, it’s gonna be tough filling it,” says Bohlen. “We’re gonna definitely be a different team this year. We’ll be more ground game again and more pounding rather than scoring on one or two plays a series. We’re gonna have to drive the ball down the field. It’s gonna be tough, but we got guys that are willing to work and step up.”
Key returners include top tackler Kaiven Kielman (102.5 tackles last season) and second-leading rusher Owen Backer (1,376 yards last season).
Bohlen on the team culture entering the season.
“We still have the guys that know what it’s going to take to win. They got in a weight room and they believe in that. Our culture is good right now. We just got to continue to work hard because our talent with the departure of those seniors last year, is going to take a little step back because of the speed situation. Our work ethic is going to be just as good as it was last year, if not better.”
Clarksville has a quick turnaround from the start of practice to their first game, as they will kickoff the season in a Week 0 matchup at Belle Plaine on Friday, August 23rd.
