Senior football captain John Clark has spent the last year recovering and striving forward after last season was cut short by a dislocated elbow. This fall Clark rejoins his team mates on the field in his position as linebacker.

“ [My recovery was] just dedication to the weight room,” Clark said, “dedication to get back to where I was when I got injured.”

Despite being out for part of last season, Clark was made captain for his leadership and drive on and off the field. Clark’s enthusiasm remains strong, despite losses in the first two games of the season against Nashoba and Marlboro, and he helps to keep up the spirit of the team as a whole.

“We need to focus on the positives, correct the bad stuff. Fix what we’ve done wrong,”  Clark said. “There’s a lot of focus, a lot of good vibes. People are really getting ready to get after it in the next few weeks.”

According to Clark, the team is also working on their ability to adapt during the game, being able to adjust plays and strategies to their opponents. However, one of Clark’s biggest points of focus is the team’s unity on and off the field.

“At this moment [we are] working on playing as a single unit, playing for the guy that’s standing next to you,” Clark said.

The team’s drive quickly turned around the shaky 0-2 beginning of the season with a 21 to 15 win against North Middlesex and then a 21 to 7 victory over Hudson. Clark and fans remain hopeful for a strong season this year and anticipation is high for how far he and his fellow captains will take the T-Hawks.

After last season where Algonquin made playoffs for the first time since 1987, Clark has high expectations and high demands for himself and the team.

“Last year was people realizing we have talent,” Clark said. “This year we know we have the talent; we just have to execute.”