Clark headed to playoffs
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MASSILLON, Ohio - Class of 2017 Ohio State quarterback commit Danny Clark continued to build his resume on Saturday afternoon as his Massillon (Ohio) Washington team defeated rival Canton McKinley 31-21 to secure a playoff berth. The win makes Clark 2-0 in perhaps the nation's biggest high school football rivalry.
"It's not only special for us but it's special for all of the people in the stands that come out here in 30 degree weather with rain and sleet and hail that come out here and watch us," said Clark. "It means a lot to them too. That's why we come out here and try to perform the best we can because we know that we aren't just playing for ourselves but we're playing for everyone else in this town."
Clark and his teammates battled cold, wet, and windy conditions to get the hard fought victory where Clark was asked to turn into a game manager, coming up with a couple of key throws to keep the chains moving as Massillon pounded the ball on the ground.
"When we have conditions like this and mother nature throws a curveball at you, you just have to come out and react well," he said. "I thought we did that, we threw the ball a bit, we ran the ball well and came out with the win. We go into the game with a game plan so I know what I'm going to be doing and when I'm going to be doing it but there were a few times where the weather got a little bit too crazy and I just knew I had to stay warm and be ready to throw the football when I was called upon."
Clark also made a few plays with his legs, alluding the McKinley pass rush for a long run to setup a touchdown early in the game.
"I definitely don't think I was able to do that last year," he said. "I'm definitely trying to work on plyometrics and stuff like that and just work on becoming a better all-around football player."
Clark's two wins against McKinley have come at the expense of future teammate Eric Glover-Williams. Glover-Williams rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown in the loss on Saturday and the two spoke briefly after the game.
"I just told him that he's a great player and that I'll see him (at Ohio State) in a few years," Clark said.
Clark's focus now turns to the playoffs where Massillon will have to travel to face undefeated Perrysburg on Friday night. As for what the Tigers need to do to make a run, Clark kept it simple.
"I've just got two words for that, stay hungry," he said.
In addition to his academic responsibilities and quarterbacking his team, much of Clark's time since he committed to Ohio State back in the winter has been spent trying to build a big-time class for the Buckeyes in 2017.
"I didn't do too much during McKinley week because I wanted to stay focused on that," he explained. "But I talk to all of the 2017 guys. I talk to Josh Myers a lot. Ohio State doesn't need much selling; it's a great place to be. I just tell (other recruits) that all they need to do is come to a night game and that will pull them in. It's just like being part of a family, the coaches care about you and want to make sure you're doing well. Coach Herman wants me to call him twice a week and coach Meyer wants me to call him three times a week. They care about their players, they are great people."
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