BREAKING NEW GROUND

With new slate of opponents this season, the Clifton Cubs open District 5-3A, DII competition by host the Eastland Mavericks and their classic Wing-T attack Friday

With five non-district games under their belts, the Clifton Cubs turn their attention to District 5-3A, Division II competition this week. Coming off back-to-back seasons with a playoff berth, the Cubs football program hopes to make it a three-peat in 2024.

But in the process, Clifton also wants this season to be different, aiming for their first postseason victory since 2019. But first, the Cubs must go through the new District 5-3A, Division II just to make the postseason. And considering the level of competition the new district presents, the Cubs have their work cut out for them.

Carrying a winning record into District 5-3A, DII play, the Cubs (3-2) used an open date in the schedule last week to prepare to host the Eastland Mavericks (3-2) in the opener at 7 p.m. Friday at Cub Stadium.

“We had a great open week of practice,” Clifton head coach Brent Finney said. “It was nice to slow down a bit and focus on some fundamentals. The kids did a really good job of focusing and practicing with high intensity even without a game this week.”

Much has been made of the Mavericks deploying an old-fashioned, classic Wing-T offensive attack and doing so effectively. But after opening the season with back-to-back impressive wins, the Mavericks have lost two of their last three, dropping a 22-21 heartbreaker to Hawley two weeks ago.

“Eastland is a physical team,” Finney said. “They have some really good linebackers and running backs that play very hard. Their two losses came to two pretty good teams, so they will definitely be a challenge.”

Using the Wing-T as a grinding ball control, time of possession consuming attack, the Mavericks have averaged 21.0 points per game while giving up only 15.6 points per game.

“It’s a grind, it’s three yards a play,” Eastland head coach Bobby Schuman said. “We’re not counting on big plays. It’s about converting first downs, one after another, and controlling the clock and possession. I’m not focused on winning; it’s about doing the things it takes to win. We all sink or swim together; we’re all in the same boat. You have to have that mentality, and everyone has to row.”

In many ways, Clifton has mirrored similar results. Offensively, the Cubs have posted 19.8 points per game while compiling 239.2 yards per game, led by senior quarterback Joaquin De la Hoya with 502 yards rushing and four touchdowns while completing 15 of 43 passes for 146 yards.

With De la Hoya connecting with seven different receivers led by seniors Tristan Hammond and Diego Rodriguez. Sophomore running back Jackson Ritz complements De la Hoya in the ground game with 331 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball through five non-district games, the Cub defense has been downright stingy, allowing only 14.6 points per game. Senior linebacker James Liardon leads the Clifton defense with 42 total tackles and two sacks, followed by Ritz with 25 tackles and three interceptions, along with senior Brody Baggett and De la Hoya with 19 each, as well as junior Gavin Tattershall and senior Landon Knox with 18 apiece.

Contrary to pre-realignment predictions, Clifton headed West into an entirely new district with five new district opponents. Although the Cubs have experienced significant change during each realignment over the last 10 years, Clifton will not have a single familiar football opponent in district for the first time since 2017, lining up against the Tolar Rattlers (4-1), Brady Bulldogs (4-1), Early Longhorns (1-4) and Dublin Lions (0-5).

“The district is shaping up pretty much how everyone thought it might,” Finney said. “Tolar is still probably the favorite, but everyone else is playing pretty well. It should be some really good district ball games.”