I, as a Cleveland School athlete, intend to participate in the Clipper football program for the 2024 season. I agree to participate in the activities that are critical and essential to the resurgence and success of Clipper football…I will commit myself to working hard to be a great teammate and to be coachable. I will also commit myself to maintaining my grades…
Not unlike committing to a college athletic program, Cleveland football athletes will sign a “Letter of Intent” to be on the team next year. The contract includes the missions of the parents or guardians and head coach Erik Hermanson and a place for their endorsements too.
“Like if you are going to Georgia or going to Alabama or going to the U of M, I think it is a big deal to play for Cleveland,” Hermanson said. “These coming years we have more people coming up, and we can be more competitive.”
As it is a closeout to the 2023 season and a bridge to next year too, the football banquet, which was held in the school commons on Sunday, was an apt place to roll out the document, Hermanson said.
“We’re here to celebrate the season we had and our seniors and give people the awards they deserve, but we’re already looking towards next year: being as organized as we can and as focused as we can so we can have an incredible season.”
The Clippers chose junior quarterback and defensive back Blake Lyons as the team MVP while the district coaches named him to the All-District team.
Lyons completed 135 of 272 passes for 1,246 total yards and seven touchdowns. He was typically in the top 10 in the state for completions and is now third in Clipper modern history for career completions (with 260, behind Carter Kopet and Matt Johnson). As the Clippers’ leading rusher, Lyons kept the ball after 60 snaps for 250 yards and a pair of TDs. On defense, he was second in tackles with 41 solos and 30 assists. One of his tackles was behind the scrimmage line, and he intercepted one pass.
“Blake’s already taken a couple of years of incredible punishment,” Hermanson said. “I don’t know if that is a skill to take all those hits and keep playing, but I know he is one of the leaders, one of the examples on our team, and all the younger players looking up to him and wanting to be like him is what has made Cleveland successful.”
Also named to the All-District team was senior linebacker and running back Gabe Sullivan. As the Clippers’ defensive statistics leader, he also took home the Torpedo award.
Sullivan led the defense with 57 solo tackles and 26 assists. Seven of his tackles were behind the line, and he forced a fumble. His 119 career solo tackles put him at seventh in Clipper history. In the offensive backfield, Sullivan carried the ball 29 times for 65 yards and a touchdown.
“Gabe is exactly what we want in a Cleveland Clipper,” Hermanson said. “He put the work in in the weight room. He put in work every day in practice. He put in the work before practice. You tell him we need a long snapper for extra points, and he’s out there 15 minutes early before practice even starts. He was out there trying to make every tackle. We could not have asked anything more out of an incredible leader and captain, and we’re going to miss him so much.”
The Back of the Year award went to junior Kale Kelley. Kelley was also an All-District Honorable Mention.
He had the most receptions for the Clippers, 52, which resulted in 389 yards and one touchdown, and is now fourth all time in Clipper receptions with 99. He carried the ball 31 times for 118 yards and one TD, returned all the 15 punts the Clippers fielded for a total of 106 yards and returned 25 kickoffs for a total of 417 yards.
On defense, Kelley had 29 tackles, 10 assists, two interceptions and six pass deflections.
“Kale is one of the guys who put time in the weight room, and the guys that put their time in were the ones who were most successful,” Hermanson said. “He went from someone—and again it is that picture of an eighth grader—who you never thought would be able to play football, so skinny, so little. I never thought he would be able to play running back for (his eighth-grade) season and tough it out and play as hard as he did and give it everything he had, but he did every game and lived through it. It’s hard to get up every morning and lift, but he did, and he had a great season this year that paid him back.”
Freshman wide receiver and defensive back Carson Lyons was also an All-District Honorable Mention. He also took home the Clipper Award.
The younger Lyons brother led the team in receiving yards: 544. They came after 44 catches and resulted in six touchdowns and one two-point conversion. He also threw one pass, which resulted in a two-point conversion.
“In any sport you go into, attitude is a big thing,” said special teams coach Brady Hahn. “Hard work, work ethic…anyone who just goes out there and just does their job every day, doesn’t complain and just does what they’re asked, couldn’t care less about the stats. That’s what we think about with the Clipper Award.”
Although an injury kept him sidelined for the better part of three games, junior lineman Nick Simonette was also an All-District Honorable Mention. A lightning rod on the D line, he was often double or triple teamed.
“He has unlimited potential,” Hermanson said. “He could be everything he wants to be as a football player. When you get a concussion, there is nothing you can do to get back on the field until the doctor says you can. It is very frustrating, but he handled it with incredible maturity, and he handled it like a captain. He’s going to be the model for what everyone needs to be to improve. We’re so glad to have him coming back.”
Sophomore Mason Kluntz was chosen by the Clippers as the Lineman of the Year.
Kluntz completed 32 solo tackles and 20 tackle assists. He had five QB sacks and four tackles behind the line. He forced one fumble and recovered two opponent fumbles.
Assistant coach Matt Miller said with all the injuries the Clippers suffered, the coaches were looking for consistency on the line, and Kluntz provided it.
“He was so consistent and got better every game, and you tell him once, and he has it.”
“He spent a lot of time on the football field and was another guy who would go out probably half dead and wouldn’t tell you and did everything you asked,” assistant coach Kyle Atherton said.
His teammates picked sophomore lineman David Draheim as the Rookie of the Year. Draheim was injured for the first four games but broke loose when he got back on the field at Randolph.
“He was itching every day to come back,” Atherton said. “He did help us a ton when he did come back.”
“I have been so excited to coach David ever since I saw him in junior high,” said Miller. “The potential is so great. He gets it; he understands it. He wants to be a good lineman and works really hard at it. We’re really excited to have him for the next couple of years.”
The Special Teams Player of the Year award went to running back and kicker Caleb Possin.
The sophomore booted all 44 of the Clipper punts for a total of 1118 yards. His longest punt was 43 yards. He also kicked off 19 times and made three of six PAT kicks. Possin also rushed 33 times for 92 yards and caught two passes for a total of 47 yards.
“The kid’s cool, calm and collected out there,” said Hahn. “He did not get a punt blocked all year. He was under pressure numerous times, but you wouldn’t know it. He just kicked the ball and kicked it far. He took us out of a lot of deep spots and gave us nice field position. I have all the confidence in the world with him, and I am looking forward to him next year too.”
Senior lineman Brady Bostic was the team’s Unsung Hero.
“Brady did what he needed to do without complaint,” said assistant coach Larry Walechka. “He played center on every down and did well, especially considering his experience. On defense he played linebacker but went to nose guard when we switched up the defense. He was hustling all the time.”
Bostic had 28 solo tackles and 24 assists with one sack and three tackles behind the scrimmage line. He came out last year having not played much football before.
“He had to play because of small numbers, but he was big enough and strong enough to play but was learning on the fly,” Hermanson said. “This year he knew exactly what to do. He was a leader and could tell other people what to do. He was a true senior out there and was on the field all the time and did everything a Cleveland Clipper could possibly do, and we were so proud to have him.”
Besides the award winners, all the rest of the players earned letters.
“If you were part of our team and were able to stick it out and play against the teams we played and the schedule we played Thursday nights, you deserve a letter,” Hermanson said.
Two eighth graders were pulled up: Garret Heldberg, a wide receiver and defensive back and Zander Hoechst, an offensive and defensive lineman.
“It did help us a lot to have them,” said Atherton. “I think they were a little wide-eyed right away, but as the season went on, they did a really good job of jumping in. I think they’re going to be really big for us next year.”
Hermanson agreed.
“The sky’s the limit to them. They have the natural gifts if they put the work in to play at any level they want.”
Along with Carson Lyons, eight other freshmen were on the roster.
Tanner Simonette, a tight end and defensive end, caught 15 passes for a total of 155 yards and a two-point conversion. He also had 28 tackles and 17 tackle assists with four tackles behind the line and one sack.
Braeden Smith, a tight end and defensive end, made 29 tackles and 21 tackle assists with three tackles behind the line. He recovered one opponent fumble, intercepted two passes and deflected three. On offense, he had six catches for 30 total yards.
Sam Ternes, a quarterback, defensive back and receiver had nine catches for 29 yards. Stepping in behind center, he completed one of two pass attempts for 10 yards.
Jackson Shouler and Aiden Domras were both a running back and a linebacker. Zaiden Linder was a wide receiver and defensive back, Garet Peterson was an offensive lineman and linebacker, and Caleb Connor was out with an injury.
“Some of those guys you saw on the field a lot, and a lot of them started, which isn’t ideal because what team wants to play (varsity) 11-man football with ninth graders?” Atherton said. “But you could tell a huge difference with those who did play last year and then played this year.”
“All of them are going to be feared in our district,” Hermanson said. “They’re only going to get bigger, faster, stronger and smarter, and that’s an exciting thing.”
Along with Kluntz, Possin and Draheim, seven other sophomores were on the team.
Bode Bartell was a wide receiver and defensive back. He had three catches for a total of 52 yards. He was hurt for several games.
“When he was healthy and we knew he was healthy, he has sure hands, and we’re going to expect big things from him next year,” Atherton said.
Max Esser was an offensive lineman and linebacker.
“He was another 10th grader who helped us out a ton,” Atherton said. “He really liked playing on the B squad but finally figured out he could hold his own on varsity, and you could see that week by week.”
Dominic Anderson was a wide receiver and defensive back. He was hurt last year but it was nice to have him get in a complete season this year, Atherton said.
“He was a scout squad guy who would play any position. He would ask the questions, and that is good because it’s a learning experience.”
Gavin Karels was a tight end and defensive end.
“Especially when it came to defense, he was another 10th grader who said ‘I’ll play where you want me to play,’” Atherton said. “He did a good job of surviving out there against a lot of big guys and did a good job of holding his own.”
Nathan Seeman was a wide receiver and defensive back. He had one catch for eight yards. Daniel McClune and Gavin Dent were offensive and defensive linemen.
“The sophomores had so much talent,” Hermanson said. “We could not have played the game without them.”
Along with Kelley, Blake Lyons and Nick Simonette, three other juniors were varsity athletes. They were the first group that came up as eighth graders and have grown so much and have become a large part of the team, Hermanson said.
Noah Hermel was an offensive and defensive lineman who came out for the first time this year and was thrust into having to play, Hermanson said.
“He showed a lot of courage and a lot of toughness. Before he even started, he put in work in the weight room, and that’s what really helped him. He was learning his way and figuring out what the game of football is all about, but it really helped him that he was strong enough to do it. We’re expecting him to play all the time for us next year.”
Alex Johnson was an offensive and defensive lineman.
“His skill level has climbed in every game and practice,” Hermanson said. “He’s doing more and more for us and will be absolutely essential next year.”
Blake Gibbs was an offensive and defensive lineman and broke his leg before the half in the first game of the season.
Along with Sullivan and Bostic, two other seniors were on the team, including Carter Barto, an end who was injured for the entire season.
“He was one of the seniors who has been toughing it out and finally gets to the point where he is going to be the bully on the block, but his knee let him down in basketball,” Hermanson said. “We didn’t get to see him playing to his potential, but we were still so proud he was still here every day. We just wish we could have seen him play. We couldn’t be more excited that with his hard work, he is going to be able to play basketball. That just warms your heart.”
Ian Vlasak, an offensive and defensive lineman had 15 tackles and 30 assists, with one tackle behind the line and one fumble recovery. A transfer student last year, he was limited to the B team, so this was his first year on varsity. He started every game.
“He helped us so much learning and growing,” Hermanson said. “I think he would be the first to tell you that between his first game and his last game, he became more of a player, more of a leader and just really found out what it takes to put yourself through that. I think he should be so proud of himself that he was able to complete the season and improve every game, and I think that is going to help him so much in the future because he knows he can do everything he sets his mind to.”
With a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the season, Connor, Seeman, Gibbs, Domras, Kluntz, Shouler, Kelley, Johnson and the Lyons siblings made the Academic All-District Team.
Atherton thanked those in the crow’s nest: announcer Steve Biehn, scoreboard keeper Greg Davis, athletic director, videographer and DJ Rich Kern and videographer Carter Kern; the chain gang, the Booster Club, which handled tickets and concessions and this author. Hermanson thanked stat keepers John Kluntz and Travis Mons and ball boy Jonathan Cink.
During the banquet, Miller put out a lifting schedule with flexibility and agility in the gym before the strength training. It starts on Monday, November 26 at 6:00 am.
“We have a great weight room compared to what we used to have. There are all kinds of things you can do there. We just need people to do it.”
The football team is currently selling softener salt as a fundraiser.
Above: Top award winners Caleb Possin (Special Teams Player of the Year), Carson Lyons (All-District Honorable Mention, Clipper Award), Brady Bostic (Unsung Hero), Gabe Sullivan (All-District, Torpedo Award), David Draheim (Rookie of the Year), Mason Kluntz (Lineman of the Year), Nick Simonette (All-District Honorable Mention), Blake Lyons (All-District, MVP) and Kale Kelley (All-District Honorable Mention, Back of the Year).
District award winners were Carson Lyons, Gabe Sullivan, Kale Kelley, Blake Lyons and Nick Simonette.
Named to the Academic All-District Team were Mason Kluntz, Jackson Shouler, Carson Lyons, Kale Kelley, Alex Johnson, Blake Lyons, and, missing from the photo, Blake Gibbs, Caleb Connor, Nathan Seeman and Aiden Domras.
Blake Lyons up front with coaches Erik Hermanson, Larry Walechka, Matt Miller, Brady Hahn and Kyle Atherton.
Eighth graders Zander Hoechst and Garrett Heldberg
Freshmen Garet Peterson, Braeden Smith, Tanner Simonette, Carson Lyons, Jackson Shouler and Sam Ternes. Missing are Caleb Connor, Aiden Domras and Zayden Linder.
Sophomores Bode Bartell, Caleb Possin, Mason Kluntz, Gavin Karels, David Draheim, Max Esser and Dominic Anderson. Missing are Nathan Seeman, Daniel McClune and Gavin Dent.
Juniors Nick Simonette, Blake Lyons, Alex Johnson, Kale Kelley and Noah Hermel
Seniors Brady Bostic, Ian Vlasak, Carter Barto and Gabe Sullivan