Football preview: New faces will need to carry the load for Clayton

By Randy Capps

High school football is, by its nature, a cyclical sport. So, when Clayton had seven returning starters on its offense for the 2023 season, the bill for that experience would come due at some point when those players moved on.

It turns out that 2024 is the invoice date for the Comets, who will have to replace every starter from that side of the ball from a team that finished 10-3 last fall, with those losses coming by a combined total of eight points.

“We have to develop depth,” head coach Scott Chadwick said. “Right now, I am concerned that a couple of key injuries could be devastating for us.”

Last season, Johnathan Montague transferred in to play quarterback for the Comets and had an electrifying senior season, racking up nearly 4,200 yards of total offense and accounting for 54 touchdowns on his way to earning a scholarship from Boston College.

Junior Aiden Smalls, who caught 76 passes for 941 yards and 12 scores for Cardinal Gibbons in 2023 — while completing 10 of his 11 passes for 220 yards and four scores — will try to replicate Montague’s success at the position.

Damarius McKoy, a transfer from Apex Friendship, caught 47 passes for 600 yards and five scores as a junior will provide some experience to that unit.

Tight end River Fiore has an offer from Appalachian State and Noah Smith rushed for more than 1,500 yards on the JV squad last season, and both could fill the void left by last season’s departures.

“We have the potential to be very good, but our season success will largely depend on how well our young offensive line develops and our ability to remain healthy,” Chadwick said.

Defensively, Keyshawn Stancil (39 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 5 sacks) and three-year starters Codie Witmer (48 tackles), Tyrell Jeune (44 tackles) and Malachi Adkins (38 tackles) bring talent and varsity reps to that side of the ball.

“We have experience on defense, especially in the secondary and our DL should be a major strength,” Chadwick said. “We lack size in some of our defensive skill positions but we should hopefully make up for it with our athleticism.”

The Comets improved from six wins in Chadwick’s first year to 10 last fall, with the experienced offense carrying a larger part of the load early on. This year, if the defense can return the favor, another step forward could be in the cards.