12 Aug 2012 CLINTON: Yellow Jackets continuing winning tradition
Classification: 2-4A
Coach: Chris Dufrene
Last Season: 8-4 (5-2)
The Clinton Yellow Jackets posted a second consecutive solid season with an 8-4 overall record in 2011.
Clinton fell a little short of repeating as 2-4A champs, but a 5-2 conference record propelled the Yellow Jackets into the playoffs where they posted a first-round win over Maumelle, 56-21.
Pottsville dispatched the Yellow Jackets in the second round. It was the second time that Pottsville beat Clinton that season. Coach Chris Dufrene points to the first loss at Pottsville in week three as the turning point of the season.
“Our defining moment of 2011 was getting beat by Pottsville,” Dufrene said. “We kept getting better from that loss.”
Clinton’s game was built on possession. Graduated quarterback and past 501 Football Team honoree Park Parish rushed for 840 yards, passed for more than 1,200 yards and threw only two interceptions all year.
This year, the Yellow Jackets will rely on a strong running game early, allowing the rest of the offense to mature as the season progresses.
Senior Casey Stacks (5-10, 175) and junior Mason Speer (6-0, 185) lead the deep ground attack.
“We have a good group of running backs and really good backups,” Dufrene said.
Sophomore Fielder Dufrene (5-11, 150) takes over at quarterback. Junior Stephen Sappington (6-1, 195) starts at wingback. Seniors Dalton Jackson (6-0, 240) — a 2012 501 Football Team honoree — Cole Leonard (6-0, 190) and Malcolm Cambron (6-4, 315) bring experience to the offensive line.
Clinton sees several players going both ways — Speer at safety and Stacks and Jackson at linebacker, to name a few.
The Yellow Jackets will face another tough conference season in the 2-4A.
“Our conference is strong from top to bottom this year,” Dufrene said. “Our strength is our running game. Our weakness could be an unproven offensive line.”
501 Football Team 2012 –
Dalton Jackson
Classification: Senior
Position: OL/LB
On the field: Will be a three-year starter at offensive guard. Good blocker.
Off the field: Good student and hard worker in the classroom.
Community work: Works in youth group and helps clean widows’ yards in youth group (local missions).
Sportsmanship: Wants to win, but within the rules of the game.
Classroom: Good leader, always works hard.
Expectations: All-conference.
Last season: Helped lead our team to an 8-4 record. Served on a line that produced 3,000 rushing yards and a 1,000- yard passer.
Other: Good role model for younger players and younger siblings.
