Earlier this month, when Landmark Conference football members gathered at Susquehanna University for its pre-season media day, the moment was positive. Nobody had lost a game, and adversity hadn’t reared its ugly head.
One by one, each team took its turn at the podium, with conference banners and player placards prominently in place. Cameras rolled, and questions were posed. As the Lycoming College contingent took their places at the table, a non-spoken but overriding issue prevailed — frustration!
2023 was a year of changes for the proud Warrior football program. After decades and championships as a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference, the college embarked upon its first year as a member of the Landmark Conference. It was unchartered waters with a brutal non-conference schedule that combined to result in a 0-5 start to the season.
After an opening loss at Widener, the Warriors were pummeled and embarrassed 62-7 by Cortland, a team that went on to win the Division III national championship in the Stagg Bowl. To its credit, the team did recover in the second half of the season to place second in the Landmark Conference and beat Washington & Lee 20-17 in the Cape Charles Bowl to finish 5-6.
But this is a new season, and the Warriors are determined to erase frustration from their vocabulary.
Coach Mike Clark set the tone, determined to have an excellent pre-season camp.
“We are thrilled about the quality of the players we are returning. We are as skilled at the wide receiver position as we have been since 2018. It is pretty simple. We have to score more and limit our opponents.”
On the field, Lycoming will be led by returning senior QB Will Fish, an honorable mention Landmark Conference selection.
“Team leadership is a big focus for me. I want to lead by example. Going into my senior year, you don’t have to be the rah-rah guy screaming and yelling to get people behind you and wanting to play with you. I am just doing the right things, showing up early every day, and being someone the younger guys can look to say that this is how things are supposed to be done here at Lycoming. That is important for me.
“That said, I still have to produce on the field. Guys look to guys who are going to go out there and make plays to help the team win. I think if I do my job, put points on the board, and keep the team together, we will be in good shape.”
Defensively, Central Mountain High School product Jake Welch was a second-team Landmark honoree. The 280-pound senior led the Warriors with 69 tackles and credits veteran coach Steve Wiser for his success.
“He’s meant everything to me since I set foot on campus in 2021. He’s such a great guy. He’s a really good mentor and pushes you to the limit. He helped me transform my body. I came to Lycoming as a 360-pound freshman, and by the beginning of my sophomore year, I was a slim 280. I’ve been building off that ever since. He’s kind of been using me as an example to the younger guys, and I’ve become a role model, helping show teammates what can be achieved.
“He’s such a great person. He has made me the player I am today. I never thought I’d be the leading tackler on a college football team.”
The sudden emergence of tight end Brendan Clark gained Landmark honorable-mention recognition and propelled the 6’5 junior into a prominent team role.
“I wasn’t a starter when last season began. We had a great football player and a good friend in front of me, Zach Green.
“I never go into a season expecting not to play. There were times when I told myself I could compete with him. I think some of it might have been Coach Clark was a little hesitant to put me out there, not even as a starter, but playing. I was kind of scared myself because of the judgement some might have thought that I only played because he was my father.
“Then, early in the season, Zach was injured; it gave me an opportunity. It was a bit like getting thrown in the fire, but he realized I can compete and do belong. It worked out.”
Throughout sports history sons/daughters playing for their fathers have put the athlete in a difficult position. It is one with which Brendan is most familiar.
“Believe it or not, Father Clark is a lot more strict. With Father Clark, I do get some slack if I mess up, but with Coach Clark, that is not the case. I’m not going to lie; it’s brutal, but he wants me to be the best version of myself, and I really do respect that. That’s the biggest difference.
“But Coach Clark doesn’t flash his personality as much. He is business-strict, but he is a funny guy when you get to know him. It might help him if he showed more of his personality to the players.
“One of my fondest memories came last season after I scored my first touchdown. When we score, it’s not an individual thing; it is for the team, and it was a special moment to be able to celebrate with my father.
“But this is a new season, and my goals are a lot bigger than all-conference. Ultimately, I’d like to be All-American, but better than anything, I’d prefer a team championship.”
That is a sentiment to which all Warriors players and fans can concur!
