By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Concord — The past few years have seen the Concord football team experience a number of things for the first time ever.
Friday night offers another, and maybe biggest, shot at that streak.
“If we win, the worst we can do is share the league title,” coach Max Clark said. “It’s huge. It’s a huge opportunity.”
Concord, 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Eight, is tied in first place right now with Springport and Homer.
Concord lost to Springport and beat Homer.
“This has been a goal here for every Concord coach since we joined the Big Eight,” Clark said. “It’s been my goal since I took over. This is a chance to put us in that mix of contenders in this conference.”
Clark took over prior to the 2013 season.
In the 11-previous seasons, the Yellowjackets had one winning season.
In Clark’s first two years, the team limped to back-to-back 1-8 records.
But steps were being taken.
Then last year hit.
Concord went 7-3 and finally got back into the playoffs.
This year’s group picked up right where last year’s left off.
The lone setback was a 20-16 loss to Springport on Sept. 30.
With a win against Union City (2-5) Friday night, the conference title is Concord’s, even if it is to share.
“They are going to be motivated,” Clark said of Union City. “They had beaten us 25 years in a row before last year, and I think they’re going to want to get back at us for that. They don’t have anything to play for in terms of playoffs or anything, so their goal is to spoil this for us.”
Concord is set to play its third game without a true starting quarterback.
Austin Hoxie started the first four games and passed for 304 yards and six touchdowns before being lost for the season with an injury.
Running back Tony Brooks Jr. has taken over since then. He’s only passed for 57 yards, but continues to be a threat on the ground.
On 158 carries so far, he has 1,207 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“We’re a running team, and we’re going to stick with it,” Clark said.
There is no tie-breaker in the Big Eight to determine a champion.
Springport (6-1, 5-1) takes on Quincy (5-2, 4-2), while Homer (5-2, 5-1) faces Athens (1-6, 0-5).
“To have those two teams somehow lose would be the perfect scenario, I guess,” Clark said with a laugh. “But we have to handle our job first. We’re in a position to win a championship, something that’s never been done. That’s what we’re focused on. Nothing else.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.