After a difficult year that saw Clinton High School end the PSAL football season with a 2-7 record, the Governors are back with one goal in mind.
“We’re shooting for the playoffs,” said coach Howard Langley.
According to Langley, despite having high hopes for the 2007/08 season, reality set in early that Clinton would have to endure a rebuilding year before reclaiming past success.
“Inexperience and youth, which are basically the same things, cost us last year,” he said. “We had talent and potential, but it was still a learning year. Because they were still learning, we made several mistakes that cost us.”
Despite only a 2-7 record, Clinton was one or two plays per game away from a drastically different standing, having lost a meeting with Bayside 24-21, one to Susan Wagner 14-7 and one heartbreaker, 14-13 to Boys & Girls High School.
Knowing his team could have very well been 5-4 on the year, Langley is hopeful that they can turn things around when the season starts on Saturday, September 6, at Tottenville.
“We reviewed tapes and you can see how we missed a tackle on one play, or turned the ball over on another,” admitted Langley. “Our goal is to erase the mistakes from last year.”
Clinton has lost only five players to graduation, including last year’s standout Kendell Carter, who as a senior only several credits shy of his diploma is uneligible to play.
With so many players returning, Langley believes Clinton is poised to shock many opponents in the coming weeks.
“Our mantra is that if everyone grows up together, then we should be better,” he said. “If everyone grows as players, then it should translate into some victories. We came so close last year. I think this year, we have what it takes.”
Although losing Carter, who Langley admits to being 80% of the team’s offense last year, the coach believes he has the players to achieve the goals he has set forth.
Akeem Christian, who made only made 5 receptions for 56 yards last year, and Isaac Estevez, who made 7 receptions for 54 yards, are expected to fill the void left behind in Carter’s wake.
“Akeem has good speed and Isaac has excellent hands, probably the best hands I have seen since becoming a coach,” Langley states. “So, we’re going to fill one spot with two guys. That’s just how good Kendell was.”
Peter Goodman, the team’s quarterback, who suffered a setback last year due to an injury, will also return to the lineup, hoping to expand on his 20-for-54 passing, 356 yards and 4 TDs, from last season. “He’s healthy and ready to go,” said Langley.
Leading the way will be Kojo Sefa, a defensive tackle and offensive guard who had 14 tackles last year. According to Langley, as was evident from much of the team, Sefa worked hard during the off-season, hitting the weight room and bringing with him the type of attitude necessary to hold the team down as captain. “I expect great things out of him.”
The first test of those expectations comes this Saturday at 7 p.m. when Clinton attempts to avenge last year’s 42-7 loss to Tottenville that saw Clinton turn the ball over 8 times.
Said Langley: “How we play against Tottenville will be a great indicator of where we are.”
