The coaching staff at Clark will have new and new and familiar faces next year, most notably on the football sidelines and on the track.  Jeff Althof, who left for a position coaching at Abilene and Travis Price, who’s joining his brother’s business, have left a void in the football program.  Staying within the NISD and Clark families, both positions have been filled.

Justin Abt, a former Clark and Rice player, joins the football coaching staff, coming from Hobby Middle school.  Abt was a 2003 graduate of Clark  and a two-year all-District 28-5A free safety.  He was named the district’s most valuable defensive player in 2002 and was a first team on the San Antonio Express-News’ all-city super team.  At Rice, he played all four years.

Bobby Allen, the head track coach at SA Marshall, also joins the staff as an assistant in football and Clark’s new head boys track coach.  Rodney Wilson, Clark’s current head track coach, moves to the Offensive Coordinator position for football and will be the assistant boys track coach.

Congratulations to each and it’s a great day to be a Clark Cougar!

Even though the good guys didn’t win this one, here’s some video of a great game between the #1 state ranked Holmes Huskies and our Clark Cougars from 1986.  It was Halloween night and the teams were playing for the district title.  Holmes had the Cash twins and Clark had a 10-3 season.  Enjoy!

QB Josh Kern

With his first season as a starter behind him and a major college commitment in his pocket, Clark quarterback Josh Kern is ready to get the 2011 football season underway. Express News reporter Pat Turner files this profile on Kern.

PLEASE NOTE: Contrary to the report, Ryan Jones and Hunter Anderson are both graduating and will not be playing with Kern next season. Among others, Kern’s receivers will be Brandon Yates, Troy Ogletree, Chase Jones, Presley Miller and tight end Alex Hunter.

Evan Mills

Senior football player Evan Mills is the recipient of the 2011 Clark Texas Football Club Scholarship. Mills, an offensive lineman for the Cougars, will be attending Texas State University in San Marcos. The $3000 scholarship is awarded each spring to a deserving student chosen by the alumni group.

The Clark Texas Football Club is a group of former Cougar football players who continue to support the football program in a variety of ways. Most of the scholarship money is raised through their end of summer golf tournament.

Congratulations Evan!

Spring Football

Cougar fans will get a chance to get a sneak peek at the 2011 version of Clark football Tuesday, May 17th at 5:30pm at Farris (weather permitting).   Jr. QB Josh Kern, who has verbally committed to Arizona, will lead the offense and the defense returns a solid core of starters.

This will be the last event on this school year’s calendar.

Kris Patino and DeAndre Holmes are two of the seniors who will be playing football Saturday, May 21st, in the Pizza Hut All Star game, put on each year by the Kids Sports Network. For more information, click on the link.

Congratulations to these two seniors and best of luck in the game.

Clark Booster Club awards $16k to student athletes

The Clark Cougar annual All Sports Banquet, hosted each year by the Clark Athletic Booster Club, was the scene for a good time and a “hot” evening (see: A/C).  Athletes and their coaches had a chance to review their seasons with parents and other athletes.

The highlight of the evening was the scholarships awarded.  This year, thanks to Booster Club members and sales of sports program ads, t-shirts and other spirit items, $16,000 was awarded to student athletes going to college.  The money awarded set a new record for number of students and amount of money given back by the Booster Club (see: IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT AND JOIN!).

Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches for their efforts this year and special good luck to the Seniors who have contributed to the Pride of the Northside.  It’s a Good Day to be a Clark Cougar!

2011 Clark Booster Club Scholarship winners:

QB Josh Kern leads the Cougars

The Express News reports that Clark Cougar junior quarterback Josh Kern has verbally committed to the Arizona Wildcats.  Congratulations to Josh and parents Tres and Pam.

The state water polo tournament (TISCA) in The Woodlands didn’t go Clark’s way last weekend, but both the boys and girls teams placed players on the All State roster. Clark’s boys had one loss and one win during the tournament –  that win, over Plano West, would be the only victory for any of the South Texas teams at the tournament (Clark, Brandeis, Alamo Heights, Marshall).  The Clark girls had one loss and one tie against Flower Mound. State Champions were Ross Sterling HS in Houston for the boys and for the girls it was Tomball HS.

Named  All State Honorable Mention for the girls was Jessica Rourke and for the boys Derek Poirer and Jeremy Kustoff.

Congratulations on a great season!

Clark Boys Water Polo '11

On Saturday,  April 9th,  both the boys and girls polo teams  took to the pool in the Regional Championships.    Men and women  played excellent games  (each squad playing  3  grueling matches in less than  24 hours) as they fought strong competition.   In the end,  the Clark  Lady Cougars would fall to Alamo Heights  8-3   and the  Clark  men would narrowly miss  overtime opportunity  against  Brandeis  in a 6-5  Championship  game.

As the second place team in the Region,  Clark  advances to  Houston  on  April 15th and 16th for   TISCA  State Championships.

Clark Girls Water Polo '11

Congratulations to  Women’s All Region 1st team:
Melanie Macha, Jessica Rourke and Coral Crouch, and to 2nd team:  Marina Gonzalez.
For the men,   Derek Poirier and Jeremy Kustoff have been named to 1st  team,  Joseph Jaime to  2nd team  and  Andrew Ulcak to  All Region 3rd team.    Great job,  Clark Cougars!

Clark  swimmers and parents extend hearty congratulations to Coach Tony Plummer,   All Region  Co-Coach of the Year!