Coach Clark’s Giant Family

Written by Ethan Todd, Sports Editor

When one thinks about athletics at Dobyns-Bennett, they think of excellence. Already, in fifteen weeks of school, our team has surpassed all expectations and dominated in state competitions. Our girl’s soccer team placed third in state after losing in the final sixteen seconds of the semi-finals. The girls’ cross country team placed fourth in state, while the guys’ cross country team finished in eighteenth place. And yes, our volleyball team won state for the first time in D-B history. But for the 2009-2010 D-B football team, this wasn’t necessarily the case.

   After being ranked #1 in state for most of the season last year, our football team finished with a losing record, the first in Graham Clark’s tenure. Before the season started, nineteen seniors pushed themselves through two-a-day’s and endless film sessions, with hopes of surpassing the previous D-B team’s success. However, in the community’s eyes, they failed. But how should we, as a community, judge a group of eighteen-year-old boys? Should we judge them on how many blow-out wins they have and what stats they leave in the record books? No. Here at D-B, Graham Clark instills a philosophy of hard work and dedication in the locker room, which will make the boys successful later in life. Raffe Cleary comments on what Coach Clark taught him about hard work, “Coach Clark helped me realize you cannot achieve anything without working hard and putting forth a little effort. I think it all starts with a role model, though. You know, someone who always motivates you and is always there for you. For me, that role model is my dad. He has been there for me, not for this season, but for my entire life. Three years ago, I could hardly walk and chew gum and the same time. But through my dad’s example and Coach Clark’s willingness to push me to my best abilities, I started my senior year. I will continue to work hard, throughout my life, no matter what I do.”

   Another element that Coach Clark inculcates into the heart of his team is family. For example, when D-B suffered a tough home loss to Boone this year, there were players crying; some were even lying on the field. But for every player lying down, two were there for support. Also, before the D-B/South game, every sports writer in the Kingsport-Times picked the Indians to lose. However, the football team had faith in each other that they could defeat the Rebels, and they did. That’s what family is all about.

   At the Maryville game, when the finals seconds ticked off the scoreboard, hugs were expressed from teammate to brother. The most memorable moment was after the team sang the school song for the final time, when Rusty Clark gave David Roop a giant hug. Moments earlier, after Roop drove the Indians down to the sixteen-yard line, Clark fumbled on the five-yard line. With one more season in his career, Clark couldn’t help but grieve in his senior friend’s final game. With the season over, a team normally goes their separate ways. But not this team! From attending Bible studies to eating all-you-can-eat wings on Wednesdays at Hooters, the 2009-2010 football team continues to spend time together. Even though the D-B football team will never play together again, they remain a family.