Michael Pineda
COMANCHE — The 2009 version of the Comanche Indians had one of the biggest improvements in the area, yet failed to reach their goal of making the playoffs.
The Indians turned in an improvement of three games this season, posting a 4-6 record, easily their best season in the past four. In looking back at the season, Comanche head coach Brent Clark felt that the lack of success in the recent past played a part in the Indians’ struggles in district play, where it posted a 2-5 record.
“I think that there was high expectations with this bunch,” Clark said. “We had a team that could’ve got into the playoffs, we were in every game. We had opportunities to make games go our way, we just didn’t have the experience from the past in those situations.
“Now, we have kids next year that have been in those situations. The success that they will have, this group of seniors had something to do with that. There are so many situations throughout a game and you have to be able to handle that.”
In looking back at the season, Clark highlights two games that could have meant a playoff berth for Comanche. The first was in the opening game of district against Frederick, a game that the Indians came out flat and came up short in a second half rally.
The second was in a loss to Washington
“I may have built that one up too much,” Clark said. “We finished the year with Washington, Lindsay and Bridge Creek and we had a great opportunity to beat each team.”
One of the keys for Comanche this season was its defense, which was able to hold down some of the top offenses in the district and turned out some playmakers.
“We had dramatic improvement in our defense,” Clark said. “Our offense stepped back, not stat-wise but scoring-wise. Defensively, we held some good football teams down. I don’t know that we were bad defensively in the past, this group was just able to do more. We were also better in the kicking game.
Next season, the core of the football team will be built around underclassmen. There were only three juniors on the roster this season which will leave a vacuum of leadership with a small senior class next season. The good thing for Clark is that his junior class has several athletes that will be three-year starters.
“To put only three seniors on the field next season will be tough,” Clark said. “I expect our juniors will be able to carry the load. We just need to find role players that make it work.”
The Indians will also benefit from a strong junior high program that has talent down to the sixth grade, putting the team in position to enjoy success on a consistent basis.
Comanche will compete out of District 2A-3 next season against some familiar opponents. Returning from the district this season will be playoff qualifiers Lindsay, Washington and Hobart as well as Frederick. Taking the place of district champion will be Cordell, which is still alive in the Class A playoffs as well as Walters and Mount St. Mary’s.
“We need to be competitive,” Clark said. “It doesn’t have as much to do with the district as where we are at. We just have the opportunity to be a better football team.”
