By Justin Graves

Justin@athensnews-courier.com

CLEMENTS – Last year Clements made a huge step in turning around its football program by finishing the season with a 5-5 record and barely missing the playoffs.

This year the Colts return 15 starters – eight on offense and seven on defense – and appear to be in position to build on last year’s success.

But there’s a few catches. Once again Clements is starting the season with a new head coach and has moved up from Class 2A to what is considered one of the toughest 3A regions in the state – Region 8.

New Clements coach Forrest Williams is optimistic his Colts can overcome the challenges.

“Overall, my philosophy offensively is the same as coach (Barry) Daniel’s was last year,” Williams said. “The terminology has changed, but everything is still similar.

“We added a few new coaches to our staff and they are working hard with the returning assistants to get these guys ready for the season.

“Our goal is to put Clements on the map this year and I think we have a group of kids capable of doing that.”



Ingredients to success

One thing that makes Williams comfortable going into his first season is Clements returns all three leading scorers from last year – running back Jesse Cobb, quarterback Cody Arnold and place-kicker Josh Cooper.

“We have some good players coming back,” Williams said.

Arnold primarily played quarterback for the Colts last year. This year Williams plans on using the senior at receiver to get the playmaker more touches.

“Cody (Arnold) is the type of kid who will do whatever it takes to make a play,” Williams said. “We’re going to find several different ways to put the ball in his hands and let him make plays for us.”

One intangible that Clements has in its favor is Cooper’s leg. The senior place-kicker can make 50-yard field goals on a consistent basis.

“He’s a dangerous weapon,” Williams said. “If we have a drive come up short we know we can count on Josh (Cooper) to put points on the board.”



Hog heaven

In order to run the football effectively out of the spread, Clements will need good play from its offensive front. New offensive line coach Kevin Davis believes the Colts have good enough players up front to get the job done.

“This group of linemen has the abilities to be pretty good,” Davis said. “We’ve got some size up front and some of these guys move pretty good.”

Anchoring Clements’ offensive front is three seniors – Caleb Wright, Reshad Russell and Bradley Hubbard.

It’s because of this experience that Cobb believes he should reach his goal of 1,000 yards rushing.

“Those guys do a good job of creating holes,” he said.



A new attitude

One of the biggest things that Williams wants to bring to Clements is a new, more aggressive attitude. He wants his players to approach everything they do with more confidence and always expect the most from themselves.

“We want to set our expectations high,” Williams said. “I don’t want us to just be competitive with the local teams, but start expecting to go further.

Cobb believes the Colts are ready to take their next step.

“We had a little bit of success last year, but we want to get to the playoffs,” he said. “That’s what everybody out here wants to do.”

One aspect that Williams wants his team to buy into is it must be more physical.

“We have to be tougher and more physical this year,” Williams said.

In order for Clements to reach its goals this year, Williams needs his seniors to step up and fill leadership roles. Since arriving this summer, he has been pleased with the effort he’s seen so far.

“All of these guys want to win,” he said. “Everyone has been willing to work and learn, and I think they are taking grasp of what we want to do here. ”

Cobb said that no one is taking anything for granted this fall.

“This is our last year and we are going to do whatever it takes to win,” he said.