Amanda-Clearcreek looks to take next steps with veteran roster
By: Charlie Ihlenfeld
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WILLIAMSPORT, Ohio (WOUB) – The Amanda-Clearcreek Aces broke through for their most wins since 2021 last year. But, despite their success, they found their playoff hopes outside of their control, dropping four seeds despite winning their final game and falling out of a home playoff game.
As a result, while dealing with injuries, Amanda-Clearcreek had to go on the road to Portsmouth, losing 35-16.
They are not going to put their fate in anyone else’s hands this year. The Aces start their first three games on the road against stiff competition. They travel to West Jefferson, then Licking Valley and then Zane Trace. When they get home at last, it does not get any easier. The reigning conference champions, the Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs come to the Pit. But, it is all by design for Amanda-Clearcreek.
“It’s some really good environments and really good football teams,” said Chet Saum, Amanda-Clearcreek head coach. “The way the playoffs are working, we hate having a bunch of wins and still sitting deep.”
Saum hopes the Aces can use the prospect of difficult teams to be ready to perform in week one.
“Week one is week one,” said Saum. “We’re right here, it’s something you can’t procrastinate. It’s here, and we’re rolling. I think that’s helped us focus a bit.”
While Amanda-Clearcreek has loaded up their schedule, their talent that propelled them last year returns. Both their leading rushers from last year are back, Bodie Martin and Tommy Stai. They rushed for about nine and six yards per carry last year, and the offense line that laid the groundwork for them is back too.
Stai and Martin both earned first-team All-MSL honors, and four of the five starters on the line are back from last year.
“The offensive line is going to have a really big say in where we go,” said Saum. “Being that running team, we’re going to control the game and control the clock.”
The line will feature Gary Kimberling, Chase Hanna, Maddix Tipple and Dylan Dyer once again. Amanda-Cleacreek will be shifting in multiple players to work out their final spot in the trenches. They are a part of a 14-player senior class.
The Aces were plagued by losses in close games last year, and Saum and Amanda-Clearcreek are determined to improve that this year.
“We’re nine point out of being nine and one,” said Saum. “And, several of those games it’s one or two mistakes. We’re progressing and our culture is progressing.”
Saum and his staff have worked hard to establish the culture that brought the Aces to immortality with back-to-back state titles in 1999 and 2000. It may be straightforward, but the results have already started to shine through.
“I hope they know we are going to run the football,” Saum said with a laugh. “That’s always a good thing about Amanda-Clearcreek. Hopefully, we’re going to see some flashes of old-school culture. We’re going to be doing things the right way.”