Indian Summer: Clark County focusing its practices on defense

Published 5:48 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2026

KAHOKA, Mo. — Clark County has been focusing on its defense over the summer.

So far, the Indians like what they have seen out of its defense in various seven-on-sevens, camps and practices.

“I think our defense is going to be solid and fast,” said Indians head coach Ethan Allen. “We’ve got a little more depth, I would say. If we go to a three-man front, we’ll be able to rotate some guys in. We’ll still run multiple schemes.”

Clark County also has a lot of returners to its defense.

“The defense is strong,” said Clark County senior Bennett Plenge. “We got good linebackers. The corners and free safety are amazing. We got perfect pass coverage. Our seven-on-seven defense has been awesome.”

The Indians secondary returns first team All-CCC free safety Lukas Weaver, a big piece to Clark County’s defense.

Weaver had a team-high six interceptions, along with 46 tackles last season.

“I like playing free safety,” said Weaver. “I get to read the quarterback to kind of just fly around the field, so it’s pretty fun.”

Senior cornerback Reid Sammons had two interceptions and 45 tackles last season.

Clark County graduated second team All-CCC linebacker Brennan Fuller, who led the team with 93 tackles last year.

The Indians will turn to junior linebacker Dallas Davis to help fill that leadership void after he made 45 tackles and six stops for a loss last season.

“I think linebacker Dallas Davis gave us some really good minutes last year, and he’ll be a good leader for us,” said Allen. “Lukas Weaver, Reid and Conner Waples were in the secondary last year,” said Allen. “Coming back with all three guys helps. We’ll have some young guys to give them a break, but for the most part those guys will be in for the bulk of our plays. Lukas was a first team All-Conference defensive back last year and has had a really good summer.”

Clark County has several players that will be stepping up in its linebacking corps this season.

“We got a sophomore kid, Gabe Tournear, that will come in at linebacker and play some running back,” said Allen. “Landon Roberts is another guy that will play running back and outside linebacker. Tristan Batley gave us some good minutes this summer playing inside linebacker.”

Up front, Clark County graduated Riley Moeller and Amos Phillips.

The Indians return senior defensive lineman Cash Wilson, who had 38 tackles, nine stops for a loss and four sacks. Clark County also has some younger players it will utilize for its defensive line.

“They’re tough and physical,” said Weaver. “So our defensive line has got a couple of bigger dudes this year, so we should be good.”

Allen and the Clark County coaching staff plans on focusing more on its special teams come after the dead week with the season quickly approaches.

Sammons has played a big role with kicking and returning, and Clark County will also work on its special teams coverage unit as well.

“Reid is our punter, kicker and returner for us,” said Allen. “I think we got a couple other guys that we’ll be able to stick back there with really solid hands in the return game. It’s something that we haven’t worked on a whole lot at this point, but we’ll get there. We know Reid can punt the ball. We got a couple of other guys kicking pretty well. It’s something we put a lot of importance on. We practice it every day when we get into the season.”