“They are better than their record indicates,” is a claim often made by TV announcers not wanting their audience to change the channel or by coaches trying to make sure their team doesn’t come out flat against a lesser opponent.
But it’s hard to deny the cliché applied to the 2020 Cleveland football team too. Loaded with talent, the problem for the 2-5 Clippers was getting that talent consistently on the field together.
The Clippers put the final touches on their season last week in an on-line awards ceremony.
Taking home the only award voted by the team, the Most Valuable Player was senior lineman and tight end Eric Rohlfing. The statistical points leader on defense, he also earned the Torpedo Award.
Despite missing one game due to quarantine, Rohlfing finished the year with 23 solo tackles and 46 assists. He recorded three sacks and 11 tackles behind the line. He blocked one punt and forced a safety. He caught three passes for a total of 43 yards and returned two kickoffs for a total of 37 yards.
For his efforts, Rohlfing was one of five Clippers named by district coaches as a member of the All-District 1st Team.
Back of the Year was senior wide receiver Tyce Shook.
He led the team in catches (26), in receiving yards (334) and in receiving touchdowns (four). On the ground, he took two handoffs for a total of 79 yards and one touchdown. He returned two punts for a total of 49 yards and six kicks for a total of 77 yards.
Shook was also picked for the All-District 1st Team.
The Lineman of the Year award went to Lucas Walechka. The junior was also picked for the All-District 1st Team. He had 13 solo tackles and 26 assists with eight tackles behind the line. He recovered one fumble.
Junior wide receiver and defensive back Carter Dylla was named the Rookie of the Year. He caught 10 passes for a total of 69 yards and one touchdown and had two carries totaling nine yards. He returned two punts for a total of 46 yards and three kicks for a total of 40 yards. He completed one of two pass attempts for 48 yards and punted twice with a 35-yard average.
Dylla, who didn’t play the last two games due to an injury, also received an All-District Honorable Mention.
Sophomore Henry Strobel was chosen as the Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the Clippers with 18 punts for a total of 508 yards and kicked all 16 of the Clippers’ kickoffs. He had the most kickoff returns (six) and kickoff return yards (77).
The Unsung Hero award went to senior Blake McVenes. He was also picked for the All-District 1st Team.
McVenes led the team in rushing yards (229) in 43 carries. He scored one rushing touchdown. He hauled in 13 passes for a total of 68 yards and one extra point. He returned one kickoff for 15 yards.
Senior Alex McCabe earned the Clipper Award and was also picked for the All-District 1st Team.
McCabe, who quarterbacked all but one game, completed 69 of 141 pass attempts for 703 total yards, one touchdown and two extra points. He booted a dozen punts for a total of 375 yards and returned one punt for 32 yards. On defense, he picked off one pass.
Senior wide receiver and defensive back Isaac Mueller and junior lineman and quarterback Jackson Meyer were also All-District Honorable Mentions.
Mueller grabbed 14 passes for 207 yards. On defense, he had led the team in interceptions (three).
Standing in for the injured McCabe, Meyer quarterbacked when the Clippers played against their toughest opponent: Mayer Lutheran. He completed five of 18 pass attempts for 66 yards and one touchdown and caught two passes for a total of 17 yards. On the other side of the ball, he had two solo tackles and 24 assists with eight tackles behind the line.
Other stats to note: senior tight end Ben Holden caught seven passes for a total of 79 yards and one extra point. He recovered one fumble.
Shook had 12 solo tackles and 16 assists and forced and recovered one fumble. He had one interception. Fischer Knish had seven solo tackles and 23 assists.
Junior running back Tommy Kennedy took 45 handoffs for a total of 131 yards. On defense he had 11 solo tackles and 45 assists with four tackles behind the line.
Senior Cameron Seely, who played in only three games, had 13 solo tackles and 12 assists, blocked one kick and recovered one fumble. Senior Jackson Gibbs didn’t post much for stats but, as a first-year player, stepped into the offensive line as a starter.
Clippers seniors included (L-R): Blake McVenes, Ben Holden, Tyce Shook, Cameron Seely, Alex McCabe, Eric Rohlfing, Jackson Gibbs and Isaac Mueller.