Yates - Saldaña - Kern

Three varsity Clark Cougar student athletes committed to play at the next level at the 2012 Signing Day ceremonies at Clark High School.  QB Josh Kern and WR Brandon Yates from football and Briana Saldaña from soccer all made their college plans official in front of coaches, family and friends.

Josh Kern, recruited early on by the University of Arizona and others, will be playing for new head coach Rich Rodriguez and the Wildcats this fall.  Brandon Yates’ fans will be able to watch him locally as he goes on the field for The University of the Incarnate Word and Briana Saldaña, after visiting LSU and Arizona State, will tear through opponents as a Concordia Tornado.

Josh is the son of Tres and Pam Kern.  Brandon is the son of Rhonda Brockett.  Both were coached by AD/Head Coach Steve McGhee.  Briana is the daughter of Arturo and Rae Saldaña and coached by Diana Driggers.

Congrats to these Clark Cougars!

envision! PHOTOS

Austin Wells

Several Clark Cougars were recognized for their outstanding play during the fall sports season. Topping the list is cross country junior runner Austin Wells who was named to the Express News Super Team for Cross Country as well as the Area Team.

From Clark volleyball the 27-5A All district 1st team includes Jenn Garrett and Marcella Arellano. Named to the 2nd team is Abigail Glosup and Nicole Rehm.

27-5A 1st team offense football honors went to Manny Menezes. 2nd team offense honors to Kweku Larbie, Brandon Yates, Blake DeHart and Alex Hunter. The 2nd team defense includes Logan Hanna, Tri-Rice Van Buren and Malcolm Eatman.

CONGRATULATIONS COUGARS!!

A heady congratulations to the Clark Cougar varsity fall sports athletes who hit the books hard this past season.  Here is a list of the NISD All Academic Team athletes from Clark:

In addition to district honors, several Cougars were recognized on the Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All State Teams. Achieving 1st Team honors for football: Mitchell Rummel and Logan Hanna. Second team honors went to Alex Hunter, Brian Socha, Dusty Wright and Ty Williams. Honorable mention went to Sean Campbell, Ryan Cover, Troy Ogletree, Blake DeHart and Manny Menezes. And in Cross Country Honorable Mention Academic All State honors went to Shantel Swift.

#46 Evan Meyer

In the last thirty years of Clark football, since 1981, the Cougars have only missed the playoffs for two consecutive years once – 1999 and 2000. Unfortunately, history may repeat itself as Clark lost to the O’Connor Panthers 31-8 in a season-ending shocker. The Cougars must now hope for a Taft victory over Stevens to claim the final playoff position.

To the players and especially the seniors, thanks for your hard work and dedication to Clark.  You’ve given us some great memories and you’ll certainly be missed.  We’re very proud of you.  Although it may not feel like it now, don’t ever forget; “…it’s a good day to be a Clark Cougar…”

• Express News article/slideshow
• envision! PHOTOS

Here’s a look at those responsible for the 2011 Clark Cougar varsity football players.  You can also see the cheer and dance moms and dads and friends performing (links below).  This event was held at the 2011 Black Out pep rally held each year before the cat fight with O’Connor.

Cheer Parents’ Video

Dance Moms’ Video

Cougars ready to roar!

The Express News game of the Week is the Clark Cougar/O’Connor Panther cat fight that takes place this Friday.  What’s at stake? – the final playoff position for District 27-5A.  You can read what the experts think here.

LB Magaro steals treat from puppies

The Clark Cougars varsity football team showed the Holmes Huskies the district dog house, winning 24-7 in an important victory.  In jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the second year in a row, the Cougars are now one win away from post season play with a final game against the O’Connor Panthers.

Josh Kern once again took charge and used both his feet and arm in leading the Cougar offense.  Kweku Larbie went over 1000 rushing yds. for the season and had two TDs, Brandon Yates had a great reception and an even better punt return setting up the first score for Clark and Ty Williams added a 30 yd. field goal in the 4th to make it a two possession game for the Huskies.

The defense played strong with big efforts from Colton Magaro, Nate Barrientez, Ryan Rogers, Tri-Rice (note to announcers – that’s “Tri-Reese”) Van Buren, Jeremy Sanchez, Logan Hanna and a spectacular interception from Chris Miller that sealed the puppies fate.

Currently in a three way tie for the 4th playoff position with O’Connor and Stevens, the Cougars can take care of business and control their playoff path with a victory in next week’s game.

GREAT GAME COUGARS!

• Express News “article”
• Express News boxscore
• envision PHOTOS

The various scenarios for rounding out the rest of the 27-5A football playoff picture have been outlined in Thursday’s Express News. With two games left Clark is definitely in with two wins, but may only need one.  The challenge starts with Holmes on Friday at Gustafson Stadium and concludes with O’Connor November 4th in the annual Black Out game at Farris.

For Clark volleyball the playoffs begin on November 1st in Floresville with a game against Corpus Christi King.

Get out and support your Cougars!!!

Head Soccer Coach Walter Rule

Clark boys head soccer coach and assistant football coach Walter Rule has been honored by his Corpus Christi High School with induction into its Hall of Fame. Coach Rule and five other former football  players were inducted into the W.B. Ray High School Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the end of September. Coach Rule was a kicker at Ray before going on to kick for Cisco Junior College and Texas A&I University.  Read more.

C. Jones celebrates TD

The Clark Cougars varsity football team, in a must win game for a playoff berth, put it all together in defeating the Stevens Falcons 31-21.  It was a sweet homecoming victory.

The Cougars fell behind early but refused to lose after spotting the Falcons an early TD then coming back with two TDs of their own.  But the highlight of the night, perhaps the season thus far, came with just :43 seconds left in the first half .  Following a Stevens TD to make it 13-14 in the Falcons favor, Chase Jones returned the kickoff 83 yards to put Clark up 21-14 right before the half ended.

Clark added a Ty Williams 30 yd. field goal in the third quarter and Josh Kern scored his 2nd TD of the night in the 4th to give the Cougars a 31-21 win.  Stevens threatened late to make it interesting but the Cougar defense stuffed them at the Clark 1 yd. line to guarantee the win.  Kweku Larbie had 141 yds. rushing and Alex Hunter had 52 yds. receiving.

Being their night, defensive back Tri-Rice Van Buren, represented by his father Martin, was named this year’s homecoming king.   It was all good on a night when the players, coaches and fans could feel a victory in the air.  Clark is now 3-5 on the season and must win games against Holmes and O’Connor in order to guarantee a playoff position.

• Express News article
• Express News Boxscore
• envision! Photos