Football Preview: Clark, Eldorado looks to fly high in 2021
After five years on the job, there isn't much that gets by Joe Clark.
The Eldorado head football coach maintains the notion that he's been doing this long enough now that he's starting to get a feel for things, but that doesn't mean he's not constantly learning.
There was no bigger lesson - not just for Clark - but all of southern Illinois that football teams had to endure last spring, when COVID pushed the fall slate back. Combine that with a condensed season (only six games) and then what Clark calls the shortest offseason in history and there are his Eagles as they prepare to take the field Friday in the Black Diamond Conference home opener against Fairfield.
The Mules have went 35 straight BDC wins, including a 6-0 mark in the spring, that included a big program win over Harrisburg.
Eldorado was 3-3 in the spring, notching wins over Edwards County, Hamilton County and Carmi-White County, but fell short in meetings against Sesser-Valier Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton and the above mentioned Mules.
The key for EHS in what will be a successful season hinges on the offensive side of the ball, which is where Clark said a lot of early emphasis has been put.
"Things are always evolving, offensively," Clark admitted. "As the head coach or offensive coordinator, whatever hat you want to wear, we haven't been great in the offense. That's not one particular thing, but the focus is to be more efficient offensively, and be who we are and compliment the personnel we do have. That's been a primary focus in this extremely short offseason."
Lost for the first few weeks will be junior Parker Price, who had knee surgery late in the summer.
Price essentially replaces Aiden Whitlock, who is playing collegiately at Blackburn and also gone is last year's leading receiver Ezra Burtis.
Price rushed for roughly 600 yards last season and while he'll be under center, Clark expects to utilize Dylan Henshaw, who is making the move to fullback this season and Boston Bradley to tight end. Chase Kittinger and Brock Cantrell will also handle reps in the backfield.
Defensively, Clark is excited about where his team his at as they prepare for the unique offense that is Fairfield, coupled with a high-powered and potent offense in Johnston City Week 2.
Eldorado is working a streak of seven straight years making the playoffs, while Clark is 23-14 all time entering the season.
"Every year has its unique circumstances," Clark said. "Last year with COVID, this year with the shortest offseason ever. Bottom line is I just love this community and I'm always going to serve it until I can't anymore at a level worthy of holding this job. I've been doing it long enough now that you start to get a feel for things, but glad to be a part of it."
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
Eldorado Varsity Football Schedule
Aug. 27 FAIRFIELD 7 PM
Sept. 3 at Johnston City 7 PM
Sept. 10 FLORA 7 PM
Sept. 18 at Vienna 1 PM
Sept. 24 at Hamilton Co. 7 PM
Oct. 1 at Sesser-Valier 7 PM
Oct. 8 CARMI-WHITE CO. 7 PM
Oct. 15 at Christopher 7 PM
Oct. 22 EDWARDS CO. 7 PM