Recognition in rankings another milestone for Jays as they trend upward
Published 4:00 am Wednesday, October 14, 2026
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Clever players figured they would have to beat Strafford last week to earn their program’s first appearance in the state football rankings. Instead, the Jays were tabbed No. 10 in Class 2 prior to pounding the Indians 35-0.
They remain at No. 10 this week.
The timing of the ranking surprised Clever linebacker Brenton Flood, but not the ranking itself.
“We’ve put in the work and deserve to be up there,” Flood said.
Clever (6-1) is one of three Mid-Lakes Conference schools in the Class 2 Poll. Springfield Catholic (7-0) is No. 7 and Fair Grove (6-1) No. 9.
A year ago, Clever was 5-1 when the Jays were among the teams receiving votes in the Class 3 Poll.
The rankings make for somewhat of a reward and merit recognition as a milestone in the case of Clever. But quarterback Brecken Vestal said he and his teammates didn’t need anyone to tell them they belong among the state’s elite.
“We really don’t look at (rankings) too much,” Vestal said. “We know we’re good and can compete with anyone.”
