Clarkdale rebuilds to take another run at South finals

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Dec. 11, 2003
The Clarkdale boys' soccer team has become used to a certain level of success over the program's history.
Last season, the Bulldogs posted a 16-2 record and made it to the South state finals, where they were defeated by county rival West Lauderdale.
It may be a little harder for Clarkdale, which is 2-1 for the season, to continue its streak of going deep in the soccer playoffs this season.
The Bulldogs return just three starters from last year's squad, and they are trying to find players to fill in for the nine seniors that graduated.
While a few bumps in the road is to be expected with such a new look squad, Taylor said it has been fun to watch the players develop in the early season.
The Bulldogs will lean on some of their more experienced players as the start of the season unfolds, while the younger squad members get used to having a more prominent role.
Center midfielders Kevin McKissack and Daniel Warren, along with forward Chris Sirven and goalkeeper Calvin Eastman will be looked to for leadership through out the year.
Taylor said the biggest hit in lost personnel his team took from last season was on defense.
Clarkdale's backfield had a good test in the Lauderdale County Tournament on Nov. 22, where the squad posted a 1-2 mark in three 40-minute matches.
The faces may be new, but one thing hasn't changed for the Bulldogs. The team is still looking to be one of the few teams left playing by the end of the season.