Young Tigers making strides as preseason enters final stretch

MANCHESTER – Summer football doesn’t count in the standings, but don’t tell that to the Clay County Tigers.

For a program replacing several key contributors over the last few seasons, every snap during 7-on-7 passing league has mattered. It’s been a chance for younger players to gain valuable varsity experience, for returning veterans to shake off the rust, and for the coaching staff to begin piecing together exactly who will be making plays under the Friday night lights in just a few short weeks.

If head coach Mike Sizemore’s evaluation is any indication, the Tigers are exactly where they hoped to be.

“I feel like we have improved every time we have played 7-on-7 this summer,” Sizemore said.

Clay County spent the summer competing against a variety of opponents, making trips to Hazard and Whitley County while also bringing home the championship from Lynn Camp’s 7-on-7 tournament. While wins are always welcomed, Sizemore said the biggest takeaway wasn’t the record—it was watching his team mature with every opportunity.

“Our kids have improved, they’ve competed and they’re continuously working hard,” he said. “It’s been a great opportunity for us to see who is ready to compete and who may need a little more development.”

With several new faces expected to step into prominent offensive roles this fall, the passing league offered perhaps the best look yet at what Clay County’s next wave of skill players could become.

The Tigers will lean on a mixture of returning experience and young talent, and Sizemore believes many of the players who were forced into varsity action a year ago are beginning to reap the benefits of those early growing pains.

“We’re fortunate to have several kids who can play,” Sizemore said. “A lot of these guys got thrown in there early last season, and I think that’s really going to pay off as they continue to grow.”

Among those putting together productive summers have been Weston Bowling, Drew Alevras, Skyler Roberts, Jake Gray, Branton Brown, Matthew Brown, Bill McNamara, Bentlee Jackson, Hunter Napier and J.D. Lipps. Sizemore also pointed to several freshmen who have impressed throughout the summer and will continue battling for varsity playing time when preseason camp begins.

What has stood out most to the coaching staff, however, isn’t necessarily one player over another. It’s the overall attitude of a young group eager to improve.

Sizemore described the team as coachable and consistent, adding that those qualities have been trademarks of many successful Clay County teams over the past decade. While this group may lack experience compared to some recent Tiger squads, he believes its willingness to learn gives it the opportunity to develop into another successful team in the years ahead.

With summer passing league now in the rearview mirror, the Tigers are turning their full attention toward the physical portion of preseason practice. The helmets and shorts are giving way to pads, and the focus shifts from winning July passing tournaments to preparing for Friday nights this fall.

“We’ve finished up our preseason 7-on-7 work,” Sizemore said. “Now our focus is doing the things we need to do to be ready to play on Friday nights.”

The next few weeks will answer plenty of questions for Clay County, but one thing became clear throughout the summer: this year’s Tigers embraced the opportunity to compete, improve and lay the foundation for what they hope will be another successful season.