ELKINS — Mitchell Clark is different from every other player on the Elkins football roster.
When practice ends, or when the Elks are finished with another Friday night game, his teammates receive their instructions from the coaching staff and head their separate ways.
For Clark, that’s not an option. But it’s not a problem, either.
As the son of Aaron Clark, the Elkins football coach, Mitchell Clark might appear to have it twice as tough as the quarterback on a 2-7 Elks team. But while he does go home with the coach every night, the younger Clark views the opportunity to play for his dad as more rewarding than problematic.
Profile
Mitchell Clark
SCHOOL: Elkins
CLASS: Senior
POSITION: Quarterback/Safety
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
NOTABLE: Has passed for more than 1,300 yards and rushed for more than 750 yards in eight games this season. ... Missed one game this year with an achilles injury. ... Averaging 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in last five conference games. ... Passed for 338 yards and four TDs in win against Mountain View. ... Rushed for 259 yards and four TDs in win against Melbourne.
“It’s difficult at times, but I wouldn’t change it,” Mitchell said. “I’ve grown up around sports all my life and this has been a great experience, just forming a brotherhood with my teammates. It’s been a great bonding experience.”
Clark, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior, moved primarily to quarterback this season after Mac Leichner graduated last year. Despite Elkins’ overall struggles, he has provided plenty of offensive punch.
In eight games, Clark has passed for more than 1,300 yards and rushed for more than 750 yards. In the last five conference games — since returning from an achilles injury which forced him to miss the Yellville-Summit contest — the he has averaged 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing per game.
“If he has a fault it’s that sometimes he tries to do too much,” Aaron Clark said. “But again, for the season he’s passed for more than 1,300 yards and rushed for 750.
“It’s tougher on him because I’m around him all the time. We go home and eat supper and all that. But he’s a gentleman and a good kid and he takes criticism. And I don’t think anybody would ever tell me he’s not a competitor.”
The younger Clark admits turning the ball over has been his and the team’s biggest fault. But as Elkins prepares for a first-round playoff game at Class 3A No. 1 Glen Rose, he’s confident in the Elks coming together with a solid performance.
“If we had taken care of the ball we could have been top three in our conference,” Mitchell Clark said. “I know if we can take care of the ball we can compete.”