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IHSAA football preview: It's the end of an era as South Bend Clay begins final season

Austin Hough, South Bend Tribune
·4 min read

SOUTH BEND — It’s the end of an era on the north side of South Bend.

The 61st season of Clay High School football will it be its last as the school will be closing following the 2023-24 school year.

More: South Bend schools to hire transition team to prepare for closure of Clay and Warren

Head coach Darius Mitchell, a 2002 Clay alum, said he isn’t thinking about this being the last season much as fall practices have begun.

“Right now, it really hasn’t set in,” Mitchell said. “You’re hearing all the talk, you’re seeing it all over social media. But for me, personally, it hasn’t really set in yet. I don’t think it will until towards the end of the season. Right now, we’re just trying to put the best product we can out there on the field. Hopefully get some wins for these guys before they leave.”

Shrinking enrollment numbers have turned Clay into a shell of its former self. Barely having enough players to field a team, the Colonials haven’t won a football game since the 2020 season opener, a 7-0 win over Osceola Grace. It’s last victory over an IHSAA-sanctioned team was Sept. 6, 2019, beating Hammond, 14-8. Hammond closed at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

Clay was outscored 516-26 by its opponents in 2022.

South Bend Clay football coach Darius Mitchell looks on during practice Monday, August 7, 2023, at Clay High School in South Bend.
South Bend Clay football coach Darius Mitchell looks on during practice Monday, August 7, 2023, at Clay High School in South Bend.

“I think Clay football players are some of the most mentally tough kids in the area,” Mitchell remarked. “They deal with a lot of adversity. We haven’t been successful, so there’s not a whole lot of support from the student body in the building; it’s a lot of trash talking. They hear it a lot throughout the city, and the fact that these guys show up every day — no matter how bad we lose Friday night, they show up and they grind. They don’t quit on us.”

More than anything, Mitchell wants to send his final team out with at least one victory.

“It would mean a lot because it’s an historic program,” Mitchell said. “Clay football has been around for a long time and been very successful over the years. It would feel good to leave out of here with a few wins and feeling really good about how we left the program.”

Here is some more information on the 2023 South Bend Clay football team.

More: Here are 2023 high school football schedules and links to previews

South Bend Clay football facts

  • Head coach: Darius Mitchell, 4th season

  • Location: South Bend

  • Conference: Northern Indiana

  • Class: 3A

  • Last year’s record: 0-10 (lost to Jimtown in sectional quarterfinals)

Key returners

Shaquille Edwards, senior, wide receiver

Edwards was the team’s offensive MVP last year with 17 receptions for 220 yards and five touchdowns. He also plays defensive back and returns kickoffs for the Colonials.

Dominic Mitchell, senior, offensive line

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Mitchell was an all-Northern Indiana Conference North-South selection last year at the guard position. He has started every year he’s been at Clay.

Diamond Curry, junior, linebacker

Curry was selected as the team’s defensive MVP last year and was a second-team all-NIC North-South selection.

Players on the South Bend Clay football team take reps on offense during practice Monday, August 7, 2023, at Clay High School in South Bend.
Players on the South Bend Clay football team take reps on offense during practice Monday, August 7, 2023, at Clay High School in South Bend.

Key losses

Marcus Rankin, running back: While he also played on defense, Rankin made his biggest impact on offense, being a second-team all-NIC North-South selection at running back.

Michael Huffman: Huffman was a second-team all-NIC North-South selection as an offensive lineman last year.

Ethan Bendt, defensive line: Bendt was a second-team all-NIC North-South selection a season ago.

What Coach Mitchell says

On Clay’s biggest challenge: “The numbers are just the biggest issue or obstacle that we’re facing right now as a staff and trying to build that up,” Mitchell said.

On Clay’s key to success: “Staying together and playing for four quarters,” Mitchell said. “Even though the scores didn’t necessarily show it, there were a few games last year and over the years where we’ve been in them and just ran out of gas.”

South Bend Clay football 2023 schedule

Aug. 18 vs. Hammond Noll, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 vs. Boone Grove, 7

Sept. 1 at Chicago Christian (Illinois), 7

Sept. 8 vs. South Bend Riley, 7

Sept. 15 at South Bend Washington, 7

Sat. Sept. 23 vs. Jimtown, noon

Sat. Sept. 30 vs. North Newton, 1

Sat. Oct. 6 vs. John Glenn, 7

Oct. 12 vs. Bremen, 7

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Clay football enters final season in 2023