Jays expect O-line to return to good health; Clark’s status a question mar
Published 5:12 pm Wednesday, November 4, 2026
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The secret most definitely got out on Tysyn Clark’s offensive explosiveness during the course of this season, but Clever’s dynamic H-back now may be out for the rest of the Jays’ post-season.
Clark was sidelined with a knee injury for Clever’s Class 2 District 4 first-round victory versus El Dorado Springs last week. Coach Mac Whithead reported Clark’s availability from here on out is not clear.
Clark’s knee injury occurred Week Nine at Reeds Spring.
“We’re hopeful to get him back. He’s hopeful to come back. I don’t know what the situation with Tysyn (will be),” Whitehead said ahead of this week semifinal home date with East Newton.
In his first season as a regular ball-carrier this year, Clark responded with 603 yards rushing while averaging 8.8 yards a carry. In addition, he caught eight passes for 189 yards, or 23.6 yards per reception.
“Tysyn is lighting in a bottle. He can score anytime he gets his hands on the ball,” Whithead said.
On defense, Clark is an outside linebacker with 66 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and two quarterback sacks.
The Jays also played last week without center Wynn Freeland and right guard Kenrick McClanahan.
“We were healthy all year long and then at Reeds Spring, we lost three starters,” Whitehead said.
Freeland suffered a concussion in Week Nine and McClanahan was poked in an eye, causing a broken blood vessel under his pupil.
“It was affected his vision,” Whitehead said. “The doctor said to wait it out to see if the blood would get out of his eye. You want to error on the side of caution, so we thought resting him (last week) would be beneficial.”
McClanahan is Freeland’s backup at center. With both of them out against El Dorado Springs, freshman Blake Howard freshman started at center.
“It’s not good when you have to start a freshman and a freshman who is going to put his hands on the ball every (play),” Whitehead said. “But Carter only had one bad snap all night.”
With a new offensive line, Clever’s running game was mostly kept in check by El Dorado Springs. Running back Kendall Piper finished with 109 yards rushing on 16 carries. He had just 36 yards on 10 carries in the first half.
Piper has 1,248 yards rushing on the season.
Defensive tackle Mason Griffin moved over the offensive side of the ball and subbed for McClanahan at right guard.
“We kind of ‘MASH-united’ our offensive front together,” Whitehead said. “That could have had a little something to do with why we couldn’t run the ball earl. I don’t think that was the case. I think they just had a really good game-plan for us. They were bringing more guys than we could block.”
Wide receiver Blaine Abbott took Freeland’s place on extra-point snaps. It was Abbott’s foray as a center.
Freeland and McClanahan are expected to be cleared to play this week.
