Cody Clovis focused on staying in the moment for Clay-Battelle
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BLACKSVILLE – Last season, Cody Clovis (then a junior) joined the Clay-Battelle football program and became an instant impact player on both sides of the ball, helping his team earn its first-ever appearance in the Class A state championship game.
Clovis earned valuable experience in 2025, both as a player on the field and as a team leader, something he says he has carried into his senior year in 2026.
"My growth as a leader extends beyond the football field," Clovis said. "I've been able to grow as a person and have really felt like an older brother to a lot of my younger teammates this season. Last year prepared me a lot, letting me learn from guys like Braden Ponceroff, Kooper Statler, and that group of seniors we had. Seeing first-hand how they guided this team that was full of talent was incredible."
Clovis says he learned valuable lessons in 2025 that he's carried into his senior season.
"Last year I learned that not every play is a game-ending one," he said. "Staying mentally focused every moment of every game is a must. You truly never know what play might be your last, so giving 110% of your full effort is the only acceptable human thing you can do."
Sitting at 4-3, the Cee-Bees have now won two consecutive games for the first time in 2026. Each time they've taken a loss this season, they've bounced back to win the very next game.
"Our team has responded well and positively to the losses we've taken so far," he said. "We approached this season with grit and knowing we would have to persevere. Our head coach (Aaron LaPoe) tells us every week that the most dangerous opponent on our schedule every week is the one we have next on Friday night. I think that has honestly helped set a tone each week for us."
The Cee-Bees are favored in each of their final three regular-season games and have a chance to finish 7-3 and secure a postseason spot.
"Some important factors for us down the stretch are just staying consistent with how we've been running the ball and making sure we finish the game all the way to the final whistle," Clovis said. "We have to be able to have the memory of a goldfish when things don't go our way and move on to the next play."