CROOKSVILLE – Doug Clifford wasn’t about to ‘Wait Till Next Year.

Wednesday, October 31, 2001

CROOKSVILLE – Doug Clifford wasn’t about to ‘Wait Till Next Year. Despite going 0-10 last season and faced with a young team, the Crooskville Ceramics head coach didn’t plan to use this as another rebuilding year.

"It’s been an amazing turnaround, but it was one that we wanted to make. It was our goal. It was a lofty goal, but it was our goal," Clifford said. "We’re pretty much a junior team, but our motto was, ‘This team, this year.’ We didn’t want to wait until next year."

Clifford, who’s younger brother Curt is the head coach of the Portsmouth Trojans, will lead the Ceramics into the playoffs Friday night at Chesapeake.

Clifford was an assistant at Portsmouth for five years and head coach for four seasons at West Liberty Salem before joining his college friend and Crooksville head coach Craig Springs.

He served as an assistant coach for several seasons including two years as the defensive coordinator. After Springs’ tenure ended two years ago, Clifford took the helm.

"The transition was pretty tough. Most of the kids I had last year had fathers who played for Craig. It was like a right of passage to play for Craig. We really started putting in my approach and philosophies during the winter weight program," Clifford said. "No matter what you do, things are going to be a little different. But we got to know each other pretty well."

The Ceramics, 7-3, are the only Division V team in a 10-team Muskingum Valley League that is comprised of Division II, III and IV schools. The Ceramics three losses were to Sheridan, New Lexington, and John Glenn, all playoff qualifiers.

"It’s like a murderer’s row. You play one non-league. You take a nap one week, you get knocked off. It’s a very competitive league," Clifford said.

While Clifford is pleased with his team’s play in the regular season, he is very concerned about the Panthers, also 7-3. He is impressed with the Chesapeake offense that features running backs Michael and Cody Hunt.

"They have some good backs. They are breakaway runners. They’re all-MVL players. (Michael Hunt) can make some moves in the open field," said Clifford. "The run to the ball well on defense, they block and tackle well, and they’re well coached and well disciplined."

Junior Colt Lundrell (5-9, 196) and junior Dustin Cox (5-6, 165) lead the ground game. Lundrell had 712 yards on 152 attempts for a 4.7 average and has scored 13 touchdowns. Cox has rushed 117 times for 527 yards for a 4.5 average and he’s scored six TDs.

Senior quarterback Jeremy Watts (5-11, 160) is 55-of-107 for 869 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s been intercepted just three times.

Watts’ favorite target is junior Trevor Walsh (5-11, 170) with 26 receptions for 474 yards and six TDs. Junior Jordan Redfern (6-1, 160) had 16 grabs for 271 yards and two scores.

But Clifford said the men up front could hold the key, pointing toward massive senior tackle Brandon Frash (6-3, 321), junior Mike Barnhart (6-2, 22), junior center Josh Cozad (6-1, 220), junior guards Jason Allen (5-7, 180) and Daniel Miller (6-1, 205) along with tight end sophomore Josh Burns (6-2, 185).

"We Brandon Frash and Mike Barnhart are two good tackles. They’re the real deal. All those guys protect the quarterback well. And Crooksville loves to run the ball and those guys love it when you call a running play," Clifford said.