By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

In a county chock full of football talent, one player stuck out for his display of athletic prowess, leadership on and off the field and statistical accomplishments throughout the 2013 football season.

The ability to balance school responsibilities, dedication to his chosen sport, overcoming adversity and the onslaught of media attention from being a highly touted college recruit is what makes Calera High’s Ronnie Clark the Shelby County Reporter Player of the Year for the 2013 football season.

Over the course of his career — he started as an eighth grader on the varsity squad — Clark quietly put up impressive numbers, gaining the attention of many major colleges, such as Auburn and Alabama.

His senior season, however, Clark truly put his versatility on display. Following a move from wide receiver to quarterback, he posted 1,301 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns compared to just two interceptions in 126 attempts.

When he kept the ball on the ground, Clark ran for 1,530 yards on 165 attempts for 19 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Clark played safety, where he recorded 49 tackles. In addition, he posted three sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five tackles for loss.

Still, despite all the statistical accomplishments Clark had in a Calera uniform, head coach Wiley McKeller said it was an attribute that can’t be measured in numbers that set him apart.

“(Ronnie’s) a versatile kid,” he said. “He played a lot of different roles for us. Anytime you have a leader, they can lead in a positive way or a negative way. Everything he’s done has been a model for younger players.”

While Clark and the Eagles fell short of capturing the AHSAA Class 4A title, they did sit at No. 1 in the Alabama Sportswriter’s Poll for six weeks during the season.

After graduation, Clark will attend the University of Alabama on a football scholarship, where it has yet to be determined what position he will play.

 

2013 All-County Team

Player of the Year: Ronnie Clark

Offense

QB: Gavin Sumrall, Kingwood

RB: Dee Tolbert, Thompson

RB: Otis Harris, Spain Park

WR: Jordan Bishop, Calera

WR: Eric Reeves, Thompson

ATH: Niko Teofilo, Coosa Valley

OL: Tyler Pritchett, Calera

OL: Jacob Wade, Oak Mountain

OL: “Bunchy” Stallings, Spain Park

OL: Bryce O’Steen, Vincent

OL/TE: Daniel Hawkins, Vincent
Defense

DL: Braxton Hoyett, Pelham

DL: Daniel Scott, Briarwood

DL: Quintin Burns, Shelby County

DL / LB: Shane Siebert, Chelsea

LB: Sam Stockman, Evangel

LB: Jonathan Misso, Hope

LB: Tyler Byrd, Kingwood

DB: Taylor Martindale, Chelsea

DB: Reid Allen, Hope

DB: Mike Johnson, Spain Park

DB: Chris Johnson, Oak Mountain

K: Zach Sharp, Coosa Valley

 

Honorable Mention:

Vincent: Jace Greene, Rodney Groce, Michael Gilham

Montevallo: Michael McKenzie

Calera: ShaKeith Tyes, Coby Mize, Tyler Harrell

Briarwood: Ethan Simmons, Brayden Housel, Victor Jerald

Shelby County: Ty Proctor, Jamerius Mayfield

Chelsea: Austin Washington, Jon Wilson

Oak Mountain: Warren Shader, Blake Miller, Justice Hammond

Pelham: Christian Davis, Devon Mines, Moregan Sharp

Spain Park: Perry Young, Thomas Taylor

Thompson: Leighton Irvin, J.T. Sanders, Akeem Manzano David Buckelew

Coosa Valley: Zach Spratlin, Bradley Carroll, Colton Pate

Cornerstone: Tim Warren, Ian Briggs

Hope: Dillon Thompson

Evangel: Nate Scott