Clinton looks to stay competitive after move to loaded Capitol Conference

CLINTON — A new conference and a new defense.

Those are among the challenges the Clinton football team faces in 2024.

The Cougars move from the Eastern Suburban Conference to the rugged Capitol Conference, a group that features the likes of Lodi, Columbus and Lake Mills (not to mention Rock County rival Beloit Turner).

Last season Clinton managed a 5-4 record and a trip to the WIAA Division 5 playoffs before falling to Prairie du Chien, 42-20.

Clinton head coach Darin Wecker is entering his fourth season. Wecker says the team can’t dwell on the fact that their schedule this season is more difficult than last year’s.

“That’s just another thing that we’ve got to overcome,” Wecker said. “We’re always trying to emphasize grit and determination to these kids, and this is another way to do that. We’re trying to create a brotherhood here so that if and when things don’t go our way, then we have to figure out how to come together and overcome that.”

The good news? The Cougars have some very talented players returning, particularly on offense.

Senior Jacob Schoonover was the quarterback last year and spent most of his time toting the football. Schoonover led the Eastern Suburban Conference in rushing with 1,081 yards and added 400 yards through the air.

Wecker said the offense should have no shortage of playmakers.

“Ultimately, you want to make sure you get the ball in your best playmakers' hands, and Jacob is obviously one of those guys,” Wecker said. “But we’ve got guys like Cooper Atkinson, Gavin Wesling, Payton Hanson and Chris Gross that can make plays, as well. So we have to get creative in getting those guys the ball, too. The offense can’t revolve around one person because then it becomes pretty easy to defend.”

Wesling led the team in receiving by a large margin, hauling in 21 passes for 288 yards and both of Schoonver’s touchdown passes.

The offensive line will be anchored by Bryce Bingham, a three-year starter. Connor Schell and Joe Collins are two other returning starters.

Defense is where the Cougars will face their biggest obstacle.

“It’s going to be tough because we lost eight of our 11 starters from last year,” Wecker said. “Our defense was the heart and soul of our team last year, and it’s going to have to be a next-man-up mentality from the guys we have."It’s other guys’ time to shine now, and they’ve been behind guys that have been making plays for two or even three years. Now it’s time for these newer guys to step in and make a name for themselves. We are going to keep developing and improving.”

Schoonver, Atkinson and Gross will return to the defensive backfield, while the defensive line has some competition. Wesling finished with 21 tackles and will be counted on again to fill a significant role.

Wecker said the program is down a bit in numbers.

“We had a big senior class last year, so we knew we were going to be down some,” Wecker said. “We have nine seniors and six juniors, and that’s tough. We’re trying to find ways to make sure those guys are having success without burning them out. We have to find some younger guys who we think are ready and might be able to step into those voids. Hopefully that means in the next two or three years that we’ll have some guys that are coming up and ready to play. We have 28 underclassmen out, so those are good numbers. But right now, we’ve got nine seniors who have put everything into this program, and we need to find ways to help them accomplish their goals."

Schoonover said although it’s a new conference, there is some familiarity to the schedule.

“We know Horicon(/Hustisford) is a good team, and they are moving to the Capitol with us,” Schoonover said. “And we played Turner last year, so we’re familiar with them. But the powerhouse teams like Columbus and Lodi are going to be tough. We’re really going to have to lock in at practice on those weeks and study film to learn their team.”

The Cougars will open their season by hosting Evansville at 7 p.m. Aug. 23.