By Gary Lloyd
Hayden Moore has some significant help coming back.
The senior Clay-Chalkville quarterback said at Jefferson and Shelby County Football Coaches Associations annual media days in Gardendale on Monday that Class 6A All-State wide receiver Brian Clark will be on the team this fall. Clark was not a part of the spring roster because of a violation of team rules, said offensive coordinator Stuart Floyd.
Floyd said Clark “paid a pretty severe price” to return to the Cougars, a price set by the team’s seniors.
“They really were more harsh than we would have been giving the punishment,” Floyd said. “He’s been going through that all summer as well as the workouts we’re doing. He’s doing the punishment and the workouts. He’s done what we’ve asked him to do. He’s been there every day, he hasn’t missed. He has a great attitude.”
Clark was running reps with the scout team last week, Floyd said.
“He’s doing what it takes to get back on the field,” Floyd said.
Moore said the seniors put some “random stuff” together for Clark, including running stadiums, bear crawls and more.
“It really became a really hard workout,” Moore said.
Moore said that head coach Jerry Hood told the seniors he wouldn’t have given Clark the same amount of punishment in order to return to the team.
“He worked hard to get back where he is now,” Moore said.
Moore said Clark on the field opens up other receivers and plays for running backs.
Clark, who has worn No. 7 during his Clay-Chalkville career, is listed on this season’s roster as No. 87. Clark caught 30 passes for 702 yards and nine touchdowns last season — four in the playoffs — for a Clay-Chalkville team that went 12-2 and reached the Class 6A semifinals.
“He takes us to another level,” Floyd said. “He’s an automatic vertical threat when he’s on the field.”
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.