Season Preview: Amboy Clippers

The Clippers haven't won more than 3 games since the 2014 season. Entering the 2021 season, the Clippers will have a new Head Coach as former Assistant Head Coach Scott Payne will take charge after the retirement of long-time coach Gary Jones. The Clippers will be moving to 8-man football this fall, joining a mass exodus of teams from the NUIC into the 8-man football league. The Clippers have won 11 games in their 4 seasons in the NUIC, so the question will be can they formulate some more wins in their last season of 11-man football?

The Clippers have a fighting chance if they can prove to compete with the top teams in the South Division. They will not play a week 1 opponent, but feature a very favorable schedule that only has 2 playoff teams from a season ago. Amboy returns key players at skills positions, and features good size on the line that they can work with to be a formidable team. With an offense that can provide quick strikes, the line is the key concern to provide protection in passing situations and to sustain the run game.

The Clippers have made the playoffs 19 times, going 26-18 in school history. In that time they have collected 1 state title and 2 runner-ups. The Clippers last made the playoffs in 2014, where they were routed by eventual state champ EPC in the 1st round. The Clippers open up the 2021 campaign on the road at EPC in week 2 with the game being played at Freeport High School.

Amboy Playoff History

1979 3-1 Class 2A State Runner-Up

1980 3-1 Class 2A State Runner-Up

1983 0-1

1984 4-0 Class 2A State Champion

1985 0-1

1986 3-1

1994 1-1

2000 1-1

2002 1-1

2003 2-1

2004 0-1

2005 0-1

2006 2-1

2007 2-1

2008 1-1

2009 1-1

2010 0-1

2012 2-1

2014 0-1