Comets look to build on their spring success

By RANDY CAPPS

CLAYTON — Clayton posted an 8-2 record in the spring campaign, and considering the fact that both losses came to Cleveland, the eventual 3AA Eastern champions and state runnersup, the Comets were one of the best teams around a few months ago.

So the question is what can they do for an encore?

Clayton returns five starters from an offense that put up a little more than 31 points a game, and with three of those returnees (Brandon Coats, Will Coats and Zach Klingenbeck) manning the offensive line, the Comets should boast a nice running game behind the new starter at running back, Antonio Sinko. Everett Boyd, Ian Martin and Deairan Campbell also got plenty of action in the spring at wide receiver.

“I feel good about our (line) which brings back three starters,” coach Shane Handy said. “I think our wide receiver group will be very talented, and we have moved some guys on defense to better use their talents.”

Donovan Spellman, the reigning Greater Neuse 3A Defensive Player of the Year and recent Appalachian State commitment, anchors a defensive unit that returns four starters. Fellow defensive end Cade Cyrus and linebacker Mason Rambo also provide talent and experience to the front seven.

In addition to the new faces at quarterback and in the defensive secondary — and a new artificial turf field at Nixon-Fowler Stadium — Clayton will be playing in a new 4A conference this fall.

The Comets will join newly built Willow Spring, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, South Garner, Southeast Raleigh, Corinth Holders and Cleveland in the new league, though Willow Spring will not field a varsity football team this season.

“We are moving to 4A and will have a variety of new teams we are playing,” Handy said. “It will be nice to get back to a normal schedule. Our young people deserve to get back to school.”

Despite a jump in classification and a new collection of conference foes with which to contend, the goals for Handy’s squad haven’t changed from the spring.

“Our goals are always to win our county, the conference championship and a state championship.” Handy said. “We will need really improved play on offense and to be more consistent on defense with the better teams we will play. A new and challenging schedule will prepare us for the transition to 4A.”

Based on the success of his first Clayton squad a few months ago and the pieces still in place from that team, there’s little reason not to expect more of the same from the Comets this fall.

Schedule

Aug. 20 at Grimsley

Aug. 27 Wake Forest

Sept. 3 at Wakefield

Sept. 10 Jordan

Sept. 17 Fuquay-Varina

Sept. 24 at Garner

Oct. 1 at SE Raleigh

Oct. 8 South Garner

Oct. 15 at Corinth Holders

Oct. 22 BYE

Oct. 29 Cleveland