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J.B. Clark Will Start Against Drake

In the online poll on Lehigh Football Nation, readers were absolutely right. Breaking news from Keith Groller at the Morning Call:

Sophomore QB J.B. Clark, a 6-4, 215-pound Jupiter, Fla., product, has been named the starting quarterback by Lehigh University football coach Andy Coen.

Clark beat out junior QB Chris Bokosky and fellow sophomore QB Trace Cisneros for the job, even though Bokosky had played in seven games and made three starts after the benching of Sedale Threatt in 2007.

"It was a very hard decision," Coen said. "The kids really brought the best out of each other. I wanted to give each of them all of the reps and the most opportunities before making my decision.

"J.B. had the strongest arm and is the most athletic of the candidates. Those are tangible things, but there were other things about him that we liked. He just has a very good way about him. He's respected by his teammates. This is an opportunity to see where we can go with him."
The drama is over. In what appears to have been a very difficult decision, coach Coen went with the athleticism at potential of Clark over the slow, steady production from Bokosky in the spring and the preseason.

LFN's take: This seems like a decision as to where the season could end up rather than where it is now. Bokosky is probably further along in understanding and executing the offense, but as Clark gets playing time as the starter the hope is when the games start to count in Patriot League play, Clark will be as comfortable in the offense as Bokosky is now.

That's not to say Bokosky is now unimportant. Ask anyone who remembers the win over Hofstra in the playoffs of 2001, when QB Luke Cianello came off the bench for an injured QB Brant Hall to enter Lehigh lore forever. Having Bokosky as an experienced, involved backup could be a great boon going into the year - for both Lehigh and J.B. Clark.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Very interesting...... I was at the scrimmage Saturday and the QB battle wasn't even close. Bokosky was head and shoulders above Clark. I hope this isn't just another one of Coen's misteps in the further deteriation of a program that has been on the slide since his arrival.
Anonymous said…
Clark looks very poised, and can deliver the ball on a rope. He has the talent, confidence and leadership skills Lehigh has needed. Good call coach!
Anonymous said…
Thanks Dad!
Anonymous said…
I would think the decision was based more on just one afternoon and, rather, the overall performance in camp. Moreover, the reason a QB looks bad can be effected by what others are doing as opposed to the QB himself. As Coen said, it was a very close call. From what I've seen, he's going with Clark's physical tools and potential which are a higher upside than Bokosky's. Bokosky has a good head and can manage the game, but not a sufficient arm to have opposing defenses respect the deep ball. Still Clark will now have to prove himself when under fire. Fortunately, it sounds as if we have some decent depth at QB, which in this day and age is necessary.
Anonymous said…
Perhaps we should check on Luke Ciannello's eligibility. Cincy's qb, Ben Mauk, is petitioning for a 6th year. Desperate times...
Anonymous said…
J.B. Clark is the future of Lehigh University football. He possesses the athletic ability equivalent to that of a major bowl conference quarterback. He played his high school football against some of the most exciting and talented players in America with the likes of Antone Smith, Preston Parker, and many other South Florida athletes. Clark knows what real competition is all about. He is highly respected by all his peers and his great leadership qualities can not be measured by just one spring of competition. He will have three years at the helm and I guarantee Lehigh wins at least one Patriot League Championship with Clark as the quarterback. Great Call Coach
Anonymous said…
Yes I Agree with the above comment. South Florida football is unlike any other state with the exception of Texas and California. J.B. Clark has proven he can play with the best in the country on the highschool level. Hopefully it will translate in college. GO MOUNTAIN HAWKS
Anonymous said…
To the anonymous first post: Thank God you aren't a football coach; let alone Lehigh's head football coach. The New York Jets held an inter-squad scrimmage last week and Kellen Clemens out played Brett Farve. Does that mean Eric Mangini should start Kellen Clemens? Come on guy... the decision was made based on more than one scrimmage. Clark is Lehighs man.
Anonymous said…
Thanks Mom....... but running a wing-T offense in High School, does not equate to a "Major Bowl Quarterback"
Anonymous said…
Mom? ...False.. and I hope you don't attend Lehigh University because you obviously can't read. It is his athletic ability that makes him a "major bowl conference quarterback," not the Wing T offense.
Anonymous said…
It's getting a litte intense on this blog...start them both
Anonymous said…
Clark is a Division 1 caliber athlete no question he should get the starting job. His upside out weighs Bokosky’s tremendously, which is why the right decision is being made by allowing this kid to possibly start for three years. Clark is bigger, faster, has a stronger arm, and his knowledge of the offense will be just as good if not better than Bokosky by the middle of the season. Lehigh is moving in the right direction at the QB position. So anonymous parents stop being haters...
Anonymous said…
i see all you hatersss
Anonymous said…
You know what? It's a new season, Sedale's gone, we're probably not going to contend for the title this year, and we've got a chance to develop a guy who could become the experienced anchor of the offense for the next two years. And if we beat Lafayette this year with him under center, what else can we ask for? I say go for it, we've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. We'll know after two games if this is a mistake. Question is, will Coach Coen know after two games?
Anonymous said…
great comment!
Anonymous said…
The only mistake that could have been made would have been seeing Clark stand on the sideline for one more year as he watches an inferior quaterback play instead of him.
Anonymous said…
This is a joke. How do so many people know so much about JB Clark's ability unless they are related, or a coach? has he shown this in a scrimmage? does someone attend that many practices? a major bowl QB does not attend Lehigh to play football!
Anonymous said…
to the comment above. first of all, how do u assume the everyone saying something good about clark is a family member or a coach. don't assume false comments. and if you are questioning the clark supporters, i am questioning the boskey or watever the losers name is supporters. i bet they are family then
Anonymous said…
This was an extremely hard desicion for coach Coen to make. Bokosky had some flashes in camp this year. What I liked about him was his ability to find open targets. Clark and Bokosky were neck and neck for the spot. In camp I really liked Clark's arm strength and leadership. He was always a tough and hard worker. But in the end I support coach Coen's choice. I think and i know that Clark was a better long term choice. Bokosky was better for now. But i think that Clark can lead us to some Patriot League Championships. I would just like to piont out how hard Clark and Bokosky worked this camp. Just put the team in the endzone!
Anonymous said…
You make it sound like Coen's pretty comfortable that he has the time and luxury to have another sub par season. I hope not.......
Anonymous said…
all u clark haters go home... we have a season to worry about as lehigh fans not questioning coehs move by clark

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