Chargers set on making playoffs this year

Richard Brian

Clark has 17 seniors on its roster who have been with the program since their freshmen year. They include: Ben Atuatasi (bottom left), Quincy Hatcher (back left), Anthony Lotta (center), Dan Barr (back right) and Terry Kilfian III.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.

For all the losing Clark's football team endured the past four seasons, and the seniors on this year's squad will confirm it was a painful string of gut-wrenching defeats, there is a perfect remedy to heal the suffering — a trip to the playoffs.

That's right, the school that snapped its much-documented 42 game losing streak last September expects to silence critics this fall by accomplishing the unthinkable from years past and reaching the postseason.

Think about it for a second — the once cellar-dweller Chargers suiting up for the Sunset Regional quarterfinals. It's a thought the players, especially a group of 17 seniors who have been part of the program since their freshman year, can't ignore.

"There is no doubt in our minds that we are making the playoffs this year," Clark senior defensive tackle Ben Atuatasi said. "We are just a better team now. Other teams won't be able to look past us anymore."

Clark beat second-year Legacy 28-18 for its first win since October 2002, then won two of its last four games to gain momentum for this fall. The second victory was a thorough 33-0 triumph against Southwest Division foe Durango, while the third was a hard-fought 33-26 win against rival Bonanza in the last game of the season.

"It's a work in progress," Clark coach Don Willis said. "Last year, we wanted to be the team that got into the win column and we did that. This year, nobody on our team expects not to win a game."

Willis stresses that it's a team in every sense of the word — no star players or coaches' favorites, just a tight-knit group who plans to take the next step and reach the playoffs.

"This year, we are more of a team and family," senior running back Dan Barr said. "We are playing for each other. There is not one player who is bigger than the team."

Willis, in his third year, expects Clark's double-wing offense to run more smoothly as quarterback Anthony Lotta and tailbacks Barr and Quincy Hatcher are familiar with the offense. Also, lineman Terry Kilfian III will play both ways and is projected to be an impact player, while Atuatasi is one of the Chargers’ top returning defenders.

"We have so many seniors and they want this year to be special," Willis said. "These kids have stuck through the tough times and now they will be rewarded."

The Chargers open at Coronado on Aug. 29 and several believe the contest will be the start to a memorable run.

"We'd like to get the win and get another type of streak started," Willis said.

Ray Brewer is the sports editor for the Home News and can be reached at ray.brewer@hbcpub.com or 702-990-2662.