LAKEPORT >> All teams are ultimately judged by how many games they win or lose and so it will be for the Clear Lake Cardinals in 2016 under the direction of first-year coach Mark Cory.
Cory takes over a Clear Lake program that crawled to the finish line in 2015 with a 2-8 record, a 1-6 North Central League I mark, and, worst of all, two forfeit losses because the Cardinals couldn’t find enough players to field a team against Middletown and St. Helena. None of that was Cory’s doing to be sure and he’ll score quick points with other coaches in the county and around the league by making sure that never happens during his watch.
The good news is that Cory had 25 varsity players in uniform Friday afternoon as the Cardinals closed out their first week of practice. While junior varsity numbers (18) are down from previous years, it would appear that the great forfeit folly of 2015 won’t repeat itself, and that’s a win before the season even begins. Clear Lake might even pick up a few more bodies before its debut Sept. 2 at home against South Fork of Miranda. Cardinal players with at least 10 practices under their belts will get a first taste of action Aug. 19 during the Lake County Scrimmage in Lower Lake.
While it’s still too soon to say all is well at Clear Lake following last year’s struggles, there was plenty of enthusiasm on display during Friday’s practice as Cory and his assistant coaches put the Cardinals through a series of drills, and there certainly was plenty of sweat given the near triple-digit heat. Cory kept the pace of the practice lively and offered a few verbal reminders when players weren’t moving fast enough for his liking.
Clear Lake plays each of its first three games at home in 2016. After non-league opponent South Fork, the Cardinals host defending NCL I champion Fort Bragg on Sept. 9 and NCL I newcomer St. Vincent on Sept. 16. They hit the road Sept. 23 for another league game at Willits before returning home Sept. 30 for a non-league game against Berean Christian of Walnut Creek.
