DMVStream.com’s Jackie Sagar sits down with Westfield’s Jack Clancy.
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March 9, 2016 — It takes a special team to overcome what the Westfield football team did this past season. With six starters suspended after the first game, their star linebacker going down with a season-ending ACL injury, and the loss of a teammate, many would have guessed that their season was over. However, Westfield was able to overcome the obstacles to win a state title in Division 6 all thanks to their injured linebacker, Jack Clancy.
Clancy had been a huge star for Westfield way before the start of the 2015 season; in only three years he had been named 1st Team All-Conference and All-Region, 2nd Team All-State, and an Honorable Mention to the Washington Post’s All-Met team. Coming into this season, he was named a defensive captain for a second season in a row.
Early into the 2015 season, Clancy had a huge role to fill on his team and the star linebacker would have to do more than just play defense.
“We do not play a lot of guys both ways at Westfield” said Head Coach Kyle Simmons, “we have determined if they can physically do it, do they have the mental capacity and a maturity standpoint? Jack was a lot of these things and he filled a need.”
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Clancy embraced his role on both the offense and defense as maturely as anyone could. He got up to speed as quickly as possible and spent his time off the field watching film. He not only filled in vital positions on the team but thrived in them as well.
“Against Stone Bridge I played every single play of the game. What I liked most was figuring out what I could and couldn’t do on offense. I had played [linebacker] my whole life and I knew what I could or couldn’t do, but carrying the ball was something I was not used to. So everyday I would learn new things” said Clancy.
Playing every play against Stone Bridge was a first in school history for Westfield. He complied 68 yards total yards, to go with two touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Once he went down with his injury, it was yet another huge blow to a team that had already suffered an emotional roller coaster. Clancy however handled it better than his teammates.
“Jack was the one trying to tell everyone it would be okay. From that moment on he did whatever it took to help encourage his team, pregame, halftime, post-game speeches. He was at every practice” said a Westfield booster. “It was amazing how upbeat Jack was about the entire situation after just those few moments of self-pity.”
Despite the injury, Clancy was still a huge part of the Bulldogs. He filled in yet another role for Westfield, and that was one of a player-coach. Having him around and working with his teammates provided enough motivation to carry them to the state championship.
At the end of the season, his fellow teammates voted him the “Top Dog Award,” which is given to five players for there excellence for the team. Despite playing in less than half of the games, he averaged over 8 yards a carry, 21 yards a reception, and was still tied for 3rd on the team in total tackles.
Recently on National Signing Day, Clancy signed his National Letter of Intent to the Naval Academy but did not go down as one of the biggest signings in the area. Back in April, he made a verbal commitment to Navy and both parties honored the commitment despite this past season.
“In Jack fashion he didn’t ask for any elaborate show, he signed at home with no hoopla. That’s just the type of kid he is, which is probably why the Naval Academy wants him” said the Westfield booster.
If this season has taught us anything about Clancy, it is that his dedication and love for the game is matched by no other. To top it all off, he can always see the bigger picture.
“Playing for the Naval Academy is more than just playing football. You are playing for your country and you represent your country every Saturday when you step on the field and wear ‘Navy’ across your shoulder pads” said Clancy. “I won’t be able to play football my whole life and that there is a slim chance of me making it to the next level. At the Naval Academy I will have a guaranteed job when I graduate.”