Miller leaps to victory with Cougars

Congratulations to the Clark Cougar boys varsity track and field who brought home the district 27-5A title for the first time in 20 years.  The win was set up by several wins in the field events and a gold medal in the 3200m by Austin Wells, and the sprinters carried the baton from there.

Brandon Yates took gold in the 200m, Ben Deschner took gold in the 400m, Presley Miller took gold in the 110m hurdles and bronze in the 300m hurdles, and the Clark 4 x 100 relay team took gold as well.

The Clark girls team placed 6th at the district meet.  Shantel Swift placed 1st in the 100m, 3rd in the 200m and 1st in the 400m.

Congratulations to the Cougars and Coach Allen and Wilson for a great district win.

• envision! PHOTOS
• Express News article/photos

It was a great Saturday for Clark track at Mata Stadium as they finished first out of 14 teams in the Edgewood Relays. Among the top finishers of the day were William Young who placed first in the Triple Jump, Malcolm Eatman who finished first in the 100 meter, Austin Wells finished first in the 3200 meter and second in the 1600 meter, Ben Deschner was first in the 400 meter and Presley Miller came in first in the 110 hurdles. The Clark relay teams finished first in both the 400 meter and 800 meter races. Brandon Yates took second place in the 200 meter and Ryan Pavlich finished third in the 800 meter. More..

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!!

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

#14 C. Miller strips ball for Clark points

In a game that looked eerily like last year, the Clark Cougars varsity football team lost to the brandees broncos, 34-20.  The Cougars started the 1st half strong, capitalizing on brandees mistakes for points but created their own mistakes in the 2nd half to go home without a “W”.  Again, the Cougars looked improved from the game before, looking stronger as they get into the heart of district playoff positioning.

 1st Quarter

The Cougars started the game with a three and out possession but a brandees fumble on the punt gave Clark an opportunity in the red zone on the 20 yd. line.  On 2nd down and 23, Josh Kern found Brandon Yates for 22 yds.  On the next play, Kweku Larbie punched it in for the score.  Cougars 7 – brandees 0.  Following the kickoff, the broncos could have been renamed the butterfingers as they fumbled the first three snaps burying them deep in their own territory.  The last was caused by Chris Miller and recovered by ? setting up the Cougars on the 15 yd. line. Ty Williams hit a 26 yd. field goal to give the Cougars a 10-0 lead with 5:24 left in the 1st half.  The “my little ponies” finally put points on the board to end the first half Clark 10, brandees 7.

(continue reading…)

Tri-Rice Van Buren rams Marshall

The Clark Cougars varsity football team had a great night against the Marshall Rams, winning 33-14 in District 27-5A action.  The game didn’t start that way, however, as Clark was surprised with either a bad kickoff or an onside kick.  Instead of starting their first offensive drive, the Cougar defense took the field and what would be an omen for the Rams the rest of the evening, gave the ball back to the Clark offense.

1st quarter

A rolling punt gave the Cougars a start on their own 1 yard line.  Josh Kern ran for 5 yds. and then on 2nd down, Kern found Brandon Yates for a 26 yd. reception.  Two plays later, Kern ran 55 yds. around the right side of the line, setting Clark up at the Marshall 10.  And three plays later Kern powered his way in for the first score of the night giving Clark a 6-0 lead.  At the 5:05 mark, Mekeba Henderson delivered a bone-jarring sack, resulting in a 3-and-out situation for the Rams.  A Kweku Larbie run, a Manny Menezes reception and another Larbie rush quickly put the Cougars at the 26 yd. line.  On 4th and 8 from the 24, Kern this time found Larbie as a receiver, and the Cougars led 13-0 with a minute left in the 1st quarter.

(continue reading…)

Another 100+ for Larbie

The Clark Cougar varsity football team crushed the Taft Raiders 48-13 in their opening District 27-5A game.  The scoring came often and through a variety of ways, beginning with the opening drive.

Lots of Larbie was served up to the Raider defense as Kweku Larbie found plenty of room to run.  Alex Hunter was on the receiving end of one of Josh Kern’s three passing TD’s for the evening and Clark was on top 6-0 with only three minutes off the 1st quarter clock.  On the following kickoff, Taft fumbled the ball, setting up the next Cougar score.  This time Larbie got the payoff with a 5 yd. run to the endzone and a little over a minute after the Cougars’ first touchdown, the Cougars owned a 13-0 lead in the 1st.  A quick three and out for Taft gave the ball back to the Cougars and Larbie rushed for his 2nd TD of the night from 3 yds out to finish the Cougar drive and make it a 20-0 game with a little over 7 minutes gone in the 1st quarter.

Manny Menezes set up the next score for Clark with a nice 20 yd. rush to the Taft 3 yd. line.  Josh Kern’s 1 yd. dive gave the Cougars a 27-0 advantage with 7:37 left on the 2nd qtr.  Taft added a touchdown before the half  and the teams went to the locker rooms with Clark 27 – Taft 7.

The pace slowed down in the 3rd quarter although no one told the Clark defense.  Daniel Orhiunu delivered an 8 yd. sack that killed a Taft drive to the end zone.  Chris Miller recovered a Taft fumble later in the quarter that set up a Kern to Brandon Yates connection for 29 yds., giving the Cougars a 34-7 lead at the end of the 3rd. (continue reading…)

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.

Here is video from the first Clark Cougar track relay team to qualify for state.  Travis Cooke, Brandon Yates, Brian Socha and Ryan Jones take 2nd place at the Region 4 meet in San Antonio.  Turn up the volume to hear Head Coach Rodney Wilson cheer on his guys.  Thanks to Tammy Cooke.