Season off to rough start for Clinton, JFK

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The John F. Kennedy Knights and DeWitt Clinton Governors entered the season expecting a rebuilding year, and the first two games of the season brought tough lessons to both.

Kennedy lost 36-6 to Erasmus Hall Campus on Sept. 11 while Clinton struggled against Abraham Lincoln High School in a 35-6 loss.

While it was the second straight loss for Kennedy — which fell 42-20 to Campus Magnet earlier this month — Coach Andy Lancberg said he feels they’ve improved from week one to week two,” especially in knowing who they are as a team.”

“We’ve improved on understanding where we belong,” he said. “We have a long uphill battle right now. When you’re young and you’re playing such a competitive schedule there’s no time to take a break. You have to sometimes take your lows, and learn from them; keep on working hard; and good things will definitely arise. When you’re young, you’ve just got to go through the process.”

As for Clinton, it’s already in a different position than it was last season. Their two losses recorded so far are more than the entire L column last year, when the team went an impressive 9-1. This season’s opener saw a tough eight-point loss, 26-18, to Grand Street Campus.

What’s been the problem for Clinton? The senior class graduated.

“The difference is it’s not the same kids,” Clinton Coach Howard Langley said. “Losing a number of teammates means we’re pretty much starting over.”

Despite the early struggles, a couple of positives have surfaced. Lancberg said the offensive line has “improved dramatically” and that the quarterback is “tough as nails.”

For Langley, he said two incoming freshman and some of the JV players who were moved up to the varsity squad have played well.

“They’re not dogging it. They’re doing well,” the coach said. “We’re headed in the right direction.”

“The youth is promising for our future,” Langley said. “We need to be more consistent in our assignments, play more to get more experience and stay together as a group. I expect us to beat Kennedy and to win the tournament.” 

DeWitt Clinton High School, John F. Kennedy High School, High school football, Jonathan Reyes

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