Indiana High School Football: Why SB Clay has more confidence in 2022 than prior seasons

SOUTH BEND — Senior running back Markus Rankin has taken on a leadership role with the South Bed Clay football team because he feels his mark hasn't been left on the program yet.

Rankin, a four-year varsity starter, has won two games in his high school career, and none during Clay's 0-9 2021 season. In his eyes, that is unacceptable.

"(This season) is everything because of the past years, we didn't win any games and having nothing to show for the past years," Rankin said. "Leaving out this year I want to leave something behind."

Rankin has two goals in mind for the Colonials: beating South Bend Riley, bringing home the rivalry trophy for the first time in his career and winning a sectional game for the first time, too. Under his leadership, Rankin believes the Colonials are making strides towards that.

"We got more heart and dedication," he said. "It's more serious this season and I feel like we are going to win."

In Darius Mitchell's third offseason, the Colonials have adopted his message of embracing the grind. More players have showed up to condition and lifting workouts compared to past years, and the team's confidence is up because of it.

"More commitment than last few years," junior lineman Dominic Mitchell said. "I feel like this team is bonding more. The past few years has been individual play rather than playing from each other.

"The line play is amazing. Our quarterback has an arm. Our running backs are reading the holes right and receivers are running their routes right and catching everything."

The question now is will it translate to the field. In past years, when Clay was facing adversity, things immediately went south. As soon as an opponent scored, the Colonials were mentally beat. That's been a major talking point this season, with more encouragement potentially leading to more growth.

And, Clay hopes, more wins.

"For me when I saw someone hang their heads I felt like we didn't have a shot," Mitchell said. "I feel like this year with nobody hanging their heads we are going to do something with it."

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: IHSAA football: South Bend Clay thinks wins could be coming in 2022