Clark Lockerby
Each morning when the alarm clock goes off, Clark Lockerby makes the trip to Red Bank High School from Cleveland, Tennessee. Approximately 40 miles down Interstate 75 and Highway 27 to the heart of Lion Country. A community with a rich history and fiercely competitive sports scene which belies the easy going nature of the residents. A municipality just outside the Chattanooga city limits, but still within Hamilton County. A town where you can still find signage from state championships and a group of regulars at the local Hardee’s each morning.
The 5’11, 220 lb. linebacker is the perfect fit for the school and the football team. But it did not come without a difficult transition period. Lockerby reflected on the time after transferring from Cleveland High School following his sophomore year, “To be honest the initial transition was difficult because I was at a new school and didn’t have many friends yet. Being the new guy I had to learn how to adapt. My parents told me that this will be a lot like going to college, and it would help me grow personally and academically.”
Lockerby admits that it was a transition for his entire family, and is grateful for his parents always working so hard to put him and his brother in the best situations. Saying, “They always show us the upmost love and are great examples of how a godly man and woman should be.”
Couple transferring schools with the pressures of being a coach’s son. Clark’s father, Ted is a longtime coach and was hired by Coach Chris Brown to be his Defensive Coordinator for the Lions in 2018. When asked what it’s like to play under his dad, he pointed out the advantages and disadvantages. As a child he was always around the game and locker room as a ball-boy.
The disadvantages would include the extra pressure and higher expectations. “My least favorite part is that I am usually one of the last players to leave because I have to wait on my Dad to get done with his after practice duties.”
Lockerby stated that both his dad and Coach Brown have high expectations for him as young man, and student-athlete. Despite any pressure, Lockerby is glad to be reunited with Coach Brown. Adding, “I still remember how sad everyone in my English class when Coach Brown left Cleveland, he was such a great teacher.” (Just a few months later the Lockerby’s and Brown would be reunited.)
If there was ever a tough transitional period, it certainly did not show. Lockerby quickly found two favorite subjects at Red Bank. Engineering with Mr. Craig, where the class built an electric car from scratch they got to race. And a dual credit U.S. History course where Dr. Smith made the difficult course fun thanks to his energy and love for the subject.
Not to mention the work that Lockerby put in on the football field. His 109 tackles (10 for a loss), 2 sacks, All-State, Region DPOY helped lead the Lions to an 11-1 season. However, next season will certainly be more difficult for Lockerby and the Lions as they face a tougher schedule with a new-look team.
The Lions will need their defense to be especially “fast and violent” this season. The 3-3A Region Champs went out of their way to schedule away games at Soddy Daisy, Ooltewah, and East Hamilton while hosting South Pitt and Rhea County.
As of today, Lockerby is undecided on where he wants to play in college, but it should not be difficult for the coach’s son with a 4.0 GPA to find the right school. This summer he will be working on his explosiveness and speed to perform the best he can during his senior season.
When he’s not on the field, you can find him spending time with his family and girlfriend. Or playing video games with Lions quarterback Madox Wilkey. The journey is just getting started for Clark Lockerby.
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Look for continued high school football coverage this summer as we get ready for the 2019 kickoff.
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Pat Benson is a fixture at high school sporting events. He has been a sideline reporter, P.A. announcer, and radio personality. Tweet him @Pa
Pat Benson