CIRCLE THUNDERBIRDS

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Circle High School head coach Logan Clothier is an excellent example of what a determined coach can do for a struggling program if given the time by administrators.

The seventh-year head coach took over the program in 2017 after a six-year stretch during which the Thunderbirds won just four games, but Clothier’s arrival alone didn’t immediately spark change.

In Clothier’s first season in 2017 Circle went winless, in 2018 they won two games, and in 2019 and 2020 the T-birds posted just one win each year.

It was in 2021 when the results of Clothier’s efforts started to show with a 6-4 record and a second round playoff berth. The 2022 season saw even more success for the Thunderbirds with an 8-3 mark to go with an appearance in the 4A state quarterfinals. Now, Clothier’s players expect to win.

“We’ve had a tremendous group of players who’ve bought in,” Clothier said. “It started in 2017 and has continued to today. Our administration and community have supported us day in and day out. We’ve focused on getting a little better each day and doing our best in everything that we do, stressing to our kids that fulfillment is in the journey.”

One of the biggest individual keys to Circle’s success last season was the play of standout linebacker and running back Cannon McCormack, continued on page 44