It is often told that experience is the best teacher.
In the case of Clearview’s defense, an abundance of seniors on the 2023 defense have started since they were freshmen.
The fruits of the players’ labor resulted in four returning All-Ohioans on defense, as they are driven to make a run in the Lorain County League.
“The beginning stages had a lot of freshmen getting time,” Clearview Coach Mike Collier said. “They have been able to grow under the Friday night lights and they have been able to understand what it is about and everything. That experience is going to pay off this year finally.”
The bar has been set very high for the Clippers, as they recognize their potential for what could be a special season.
“We laid (our expectations) out from the very get-go that our expectations are much higher than what they have been,” Collier said. “These kids have worked hard and they want those high expectations. As a coaching staff, it is up for us to pull it out of them and continue to push them.”
All-Ohioans Keith Colvin (second team), Ayden Cruz (honorable mention), Greg O’Hern (honorable mention) and Josiah Longo (third team) give the defense a versatile presence that has at least one All-Ohioan in each position group. Clearview has eight returning defensive starters.
“We have players from every position that we need from the (defensive) line, linebackers and defensive backs. I think we are there,” Kolvin said.
Upfront, the defensive line is anchored by the motor of O’Hern and Longo. They each recorded at least seven sacks in 2022.
“The thing that makes O’Hern and Longo stick out is their motor. They continue to work hard. Even when they are in a bad position, they are able to work out of it,” Collier said.
Pursuit of the ball carrier has become a competition for the two. The iron-sharpens-iron mentality resulted into a double-trouble pass rush.
“I like to compete with O’Hern and see who gets more sacks in a game and more tackles. That goes back to seventh and eighth grade when we were playing and wrestling together,” Longo said. (The competition) motivates me more. It motivates me in the weight room and on the field. It is always nice to know that there is someone always out there chasing you.”
Speed and power backs the defensive line in the linebacking corp. Cruz is paired with Dominic Jackson and Ethan Lorenzana. The trio have a nose for the football and mean business when they are in striking distance.
Jackson was a cornerback. His weight room dedication in the offseason bulked him to linebacker size, but he maintained his speed. Cruz, who didn’t play football his freshman year, possesses great versatility that will be used used as a linebacker-safety hybrid.
“We are flying around to the ball,” Cruz said. “We are able to get fast stops, bring the ball down. Let’s say that a guy does catch the ball, we are able to fly to it quickly, stop it in a very short amount of time. We won’t let them get extra yards.”
Colvin is the last line of defense at the safety spot. He is a playmaker on the ball when it’s in the air. Kolvin and cornerback Maclom Lane each recorded three interceptions in one game in 2022, which tied the school record.
Clearview’s Week 1 matchup will be at home against Toledo Scott (Aug. 18). Scott defeated the Clippers, 20-14, in double-overtime last year. The players are excited for the rematch, this time on their home field.
“A lot of emotions were fought through that game last year. It was a physical and emotional game. Thinking about it gives me goosebumps down my arms,” Cruz said.
The Scott loss was the first of five games Clearview dropped that were decided by one possession or less. Finishing has been a calling card, as the first week could potentially set the tone for the season.
“The double-overtime loss to Scott, we think about that every day. We are working out to beat Scott every day,” Longo said. “We are motivated on that and will take it one week at a time. Our main goal is playoffs, but all the teams that we lost to closely, we are coming back for this year.”
Toledo Scott was a ninth seed in the Division III Region 10 tournament. It went 7-3 (4-0 in Toledo City League).
