Former Wilson star happy for second chance

It’s been an offseason of change for the Newberry football program and a change of heart for Lance Clark.

The former Wilson standout didn’t think he would be on the field today when the Indians open up their season at No. 12 Valdosta State. Clark quit the team in late February and was going to try and walk-on and at South Carolina.

But when coach Zak Willis was fired in April, the junior, who was still enrolled in classes, agreed to come back and rejoined the team in May.

“I’m happy I’m here and glad I stayed,” Clark said this week. “It’s a family atmosphere but sometimes you are blind to it when you are playing. But everyone here from professors to administrators has been supportive to me. This is where I should be.”

Clark said Willis’ departure played into his decision somewhat to return. The two had their share of disagreements during the past year.

Another factor was coach Todd Knight, the man who took over for Willis. Knight was the Indians’ defensive coordinator and has been supportive of Clark.

“He is a great coach, and I was excited when he got the job,” Clark said. “I felt I owed it to him to come back and play.”

Since returning to the team, Clark has been playing catch-up. He missed all of spring practice and lost about 30 pounds, most of which he put back on by the start of practice.

Then, there was the issue of trying to build trust between him and his teammates. Clark said some of his teammates resented he quit on them and thought playing at a Division II school wasn’t good enough for him.

That, Clark said, wasn’t the case.

“If you play at Newberry or Presbyterian, you should have the confidence you can play at USC or Clemson,” he said. “And that’s all I was going to do. I didn’t think I was too good play here.”

Still, Clark said he has pulled aside some of his teammates and reassured him he is here for good.

“It takes a lot to get their respect be and it’s the way it should be,” he said. “I understand that and am going to work on doing it.”

With the offseason behind him, Clark said he is focused on having a productive year on the field.

The defensive lineman is coming off his best season, when he recorded 28 tackles and five sacks in earning second-team South Atlantic Conference honors.

Clark was a preseason first team all-SAC selection by the coaches and media.

“I was happy with the honor but I know it means nothing if I don’t go back it up on the field,” Clark said. “That’s what I hope to do.”

Pee Dee impact
Other Pee Dee players on Newberry roster:

WR Brandon Bostick (West Florence) — Started six games last year and ad 20 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

CB Dej’Jon Lee (Lake City) — In first season at Newberry after playing at Louisburg Junior College last two years.

LB Xavier Wallace (Kingstree) — Redshirted last year and is penciled in as backup middle linebacker.
n LB Patrick Barefoot (Chesterfield) — Played in three games last year and had one tackle.