By Hayden Swope

Trent Long, a first team all-league athlete from Clifton-Clyde, has been working all offseason for game one in September. Long is ready to get back on the field with the teammates he’s played with for years. 

“I’m excited for Thursday night’s team supper before game day,” Long said. “Getting to hang with your teammates and relax and have some fun is good team bonding. I’m excited to go out this year and leave everything on the field.”

Being a senior this year, Long really had to step into the leadership role, which isn’t always easy. 

“The most important thing I focused on improving was my leadership,” Long said. “Sometimes in the heat at practice while you are beating on your friends it’s easy to have an attitude. So I have been trying to focus on having the best attitude and leading my teammates in the right direction.”

After a winning record and successful 2022 season, Long hopes to continue that, and even add onto his accolades. 

“One goal I have is to continue our streak of District Champions,” Long said. “The second part to that is making a deeper run in the playoffs, that’s the most important in my eyes. As far as individual goals I hope to achieve all league on both sides of the ball and get first all state.”

While still deciding on what to do after high school, Long knows he wants to continue his education, and may even consider advancing his athletics. 

“As of now I’m not sure what I want to do after high school,” Long said. “I plan to continue my education and hopefully will continue athletics as well.”