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Published on 08/12/1996 All articles from this issue

Mickey Clements snags success on the gridiron

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By Andy Nystrom

Town Crier Sports Editor

As a freshman at Mountain View High, Mickey Clements had "no clue" about what was happening on the football field. A former soccer player, he gutted it out as third-string quarterback and second-string linebacker before asking to play tight end.

It turned out to be a good move.

With years of hard work behind him, the 21-year-old Los Altos resident will next month begin his third season as the starting tight end at St. Mary's College in Moraga. Last year, Clements averaged 16 yards per catch and was awarded the game ball for scoring two touchdowns in a win over Sacramento State.

"I always thought tight end would be a fun position to play. You're not in the limelight and catching all the balls," the St. Mary's senior said last week. "It's fun to work in the trenches with the big hogs and run around with the little receivers. And I like to knock people down when they don't expect it."

And St. Mary's - which finished 8-2 in Division 1-AA in 1995 - hopes to creep up on Boston University in its opening game Sept. 7 at home. (The 1 p.m. game will be televised on SportsChannel.)

"We always have a lot of goals set for the season," said the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder. "But we go one step at a time: win the opening game, get off to a good start." If St. Mary's finishes with a 10-0 or 9-1 record, Clements thinks it has a shot at the playoffs.

Also on the team's schedule this season is the University of Idaho, its first Division 1A opponent in some 50 years. "It will be a great challenge playing a 1A team," Clements said. "I'd like to think we are gaining respect. It's tough not being in a conference, and we're such a small school - it's hard to get noticed."

But St. Mary's knows where to look for a first down, or leadership: to Clements. The two-tight end, double-wide receiver offense often runs to his side, and sometimes surprises the opposing defense by throwing to him on third-and-long situations.

On the inspirational end, Clements said he's not a vocal person, but shows leadership through actions on the field and in the locker room. As a result, last year he received the prestigious Bill Fisher Award from the St. Mary's football coaches for possessing the qualities of coachability, attitude and loyalty.

"It's a great honor, it meant a lot to me," Clements said. "It's a character award, rather than for football."

Team victories are gridiron awards that rank high in Clements' mind, and a 10-0 mark this season would be special - even if he doesn't make any catches.

"I don't like to set (personal) goals, they never seem to work out. And they don't really reflect how I play," he said. "Plus for each catch I make, the quarterback made a great pass and the linemen protected the quarterback. That's the great thing about football, it's such a team sport."

And it can often be a learning experience, such as in the Gaels' 1995 loss to rival Humboldt State after blowing a 24-point lead in the fourth quarter. Clements said the team didn't dwell on the emotional hardship, but moved on and won its last five games.

He continued, listing several keys to enjoying football and garnering success: "Don't get frustrated, keep working hard. And always have fun, take the lighter side of things and smile. It makes things easier."