RIGHT IN THE HEAT OF IT

Expected to be in the postseason mix, Clifton Cubs begin football practice enduring 100-plus degree temperatures with eyes on return to Class 3A, DII playoffs

CLIFTON – When the Clifton Cubs took the field for the first practice Monday in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Texas high school football season, starting with conditioning took on another meaning all its own as student-athletes and coaches were forced to endure blazing temperatures topping 105 degrees. And there’s no relief in sight throughout this week and next.

But after showing up in mass throughout the summer for six weeks of Summer Speed and Power Camp, the Cubs appeared ready for the conditions they faced and focused on the task at hand.

“We had a great first day,” said Clifton athletic director and football head coach Brent Finney, entering his second season at the helm in Clifton. “We had over 70 kids out on day one. And we had one of the best first days of practice. Retention was great and kids really executed well for day one.

“We added a couple extra breaks and have water available throughout practice. Our student trainers did a great job keeping kids hydrated.”

Following four days of conditioning without contact activities permitted and no equipment worn except helmets, the Cubs will go through their first day of full contact this Friday. Clifton will play it’s first scrimmage when they travel to West Aug. 11 as the junior varsity begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the varsity at 7:45 p.m.

Representing the unofficial start to the Texas high school football season each year, fans across the Lone Star State anxiously awaited the release of the latest Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine. And when it comes to high school football in Bosque County, the 64th annual “Bible of Texas Football” offers a few surprises and will certainly inspire debate among the area’s faithful fans.

After returning to the Class 3A, Division II playoffs in 2022 coming off back-to-back seasons without a postseason berth, the Cubs have been picked to earn a trip to the playoffs in 2023 with a fourth-place finish in District 13-3A, DII. Featuring a tough lineup of district opponents, the Cubs will be once again facing the 12th-ranked Lexington Eagles, the Rogers Eagles, the Buffalo Bison, the Elkhart Elks, and the Florence Buffaloes in the six-team league.

“Our district will still be very competitive,” Finney said. “Lexington was 10-0 last year before losing in the first round and will still be very athletic. Rogers has a strong tradition of being a very solid perennial playoff team as well.

“Florence and Elkhart will have new coaches, which always brings a spark, and Buffalo has been very tough the past few years. With us losing to Buffalo in overtime last year, you can’t really argue with the preseason predictions.”

After making the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, the Cubs will enjoy a wealth a experience on both sides of the ball with five offensive and seven defensive starters returning. With senior fullback Riley Finney and senior running back Parker Tunnell returning to the offensive backfield, Clifton’s wing-T rushing attack should be a team strength.

“Getting back into the playoffs was huge for us last year in our first season,” Finney said. “Being a playoff team every year is a standard, not a goal, for our program. This is something we want our kids to expect to happen year in and year out.

“With 17 seniors and 20 returning lettermen, our goal is to be battling for a district title. We will have to develop depth at the offensive line and defensive line positions, as well as the secondary.”

Entering his 28th year as a high school coach, Finney enjoyed success in his first football head coaching and athletic director opportunity at his high school alma mater last season as he graduated from Clifton High School in 1991 After graduating from Tarleton in 1996, Finney came back home 19 years ago as an assistant coach.

“Clifton is a very important part of our lives and the lives of our families,” Finney said. “This was a great opportunity to continue to serve the kids of our community and give back to the community that has done so much for us.”

Starting in mid-June, the CISD coaches began holding daily workouts from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. On the first day of camp, 140 student athletes were in attendance to begin getting ready for a variety of sports ahead during the 2023-24 school year. Following six weeks of camp with a week off built into the middle for the Fourth of July, the Cubs will begin football workouts next Monday.

“It was a great turnout for summer workouts,” Finney said. “Obviously, the main goal of summer workouts was for kids to get stronger, in better condition, and come back acclimated to the heat. But it is also a great opportunity for new leadership and strong bonds to be built heading into the new school year.

“With the skill portion of workouts, it was a great opportunity for kids to get a head start on August practices. We were very excited about our attendance, and it just shows how excited our kids are about the upcoming year.”