Clay White hopes to continue Idalou's winning ways in first season as Wildcats' head coach

For the first time in 10 seasons, Idalou has a new head coach. 

Clay White has taken over the Wildcats after serving as Lubbock Cooper’s defensive coordinator from 2019-21. He takes over a program in good shape, as Idalou has posted a winning record in the last four years. 

Last season, the Wildcats went 8-3 and finished third and their district, but failed to win a playoff game after a first-round defeat to Canadian in overtime. 

All White wants to do is keep Idalou’s “winning tradition” going. 

“I’ve seen a culture of winning here,” White said. “I’ve been impressed with the kids that are hungry to win. I’ve seen a strong work ethic, they’re hungry to play and I’m really excited.”

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White was looking for a smaller city that he and his family could live in, believing Idalou was the best fit. He enjoys the Idalou community and called it a “no-brainer” to take the job. 

White doesn’t want to make any drastic changes, but will institute a new offense and defense at Idalou. He’ll run a spread offense and a 4-2-5 defense, both similar to what Cooper ran during White’s time there. 

Running White’s spread offense will be senior quarterback William Wall. White has loved Wall's athleticism since arriving at Idalou, believing his running ability makes him a threat on the field. 

“He fits the mold of what we’re looking for in that position,” White said. “The fit for us was very exciting when we came in here and saw William. He’s one of those guys who’s a leader and an athlete.” 

Filling in Idalou’s skill position spots will be senior running back Tyler Jack and senior wide receivers Malachi Brisco and Carter Craig. All three give the Wildcats much-needed experience as Idalou returns just three starters on offense. 

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Jack is expected to be Idalou’s No. 1 running back while White regards Brisco as a “hybrid talent,” able to be used in multiple ways. 

“They got the experience and a lot of leadership qualities,” White said. “Those are the guys you read about in the newspaper all the time. I think you’re going to see a big season from them.”

Leading the Wildcats’ offensive line are seniors Jackson Railsbeck and Landry Bozeman, the former of which also plays on the defensive line. White believes those two were Idalou’s “main leaders” over the summer, showing up to every offseason workout. 

According to White, Railsbeck and Bozeman are the “stalwarts” of the offensive line that will play in instrumental role in Idalou’s offense.

“They’re just always present,” White said. “They’re both leading that position group and leading the team. They’re going to be big for us for what we’re trying to do from a run and pass perspective. They’ll be able to control the game.”

Idalou’s defensive line is led by senior defensive end Carter Crump, another player White expects a big season from. He’ll start as an edge rusher while Railsbeck lines up on the interior. Senior Gage Pounds will also line up as an edge rusher for the Wildcats. 

Backing them up in the front seven is senior linebacker Cooper Ross while senior defensive back Jeter Garcia leads the secondary. Those will be the main players helping White and Idalou form a “formidable” defense. 

“Our defensive line is really strong,” White said. “And we have some secondary and linebacker guys that will provide some experience for us as well. They’re going to give us a formidable defense.”

Another player White has been impressed with is senior Blake Dyas, a newcomer to Idalou’s varsity team this season. Dyas is regarded as an “athlete” by White, able to play several positions on both sides of the ball. 

Dyas will be Idalou’s wild card, able to play wide receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive back. White is excited about his explosiveness more than anything, saying Dyas will be a “player to watch” this season. 

“He’s kind of a tweener,” White said. “We're trying to find the best way to utilize his skill set, and he does have a massive skill set. We're really excited about him. I think he's one of our more explosive players.”

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This offseason, White has been at a crossroads of keeping Idalou’s tradition alive while instituting his system. But, he believes he’s now found a middle ground that will keep the Wildcats’ winning ways going. 

White wants his team to not be defined by speed or strength, but by work ethic and hard play. Those are the things White calls the “Wildcat Way” and thinks it will contribute to success this season in a “wide open” district.

“The Wildcat way is hard to define, but it’s dooing what’s right when it has to be done,” White said. It’s being coachable. It’s trying to outwork your opponent. It kind of transcends scoreboards. 

“We just want to give the community something to be proud of. Our identities are based on that and how can we actually handle our core values, and use that to become stronger and better.”

IDALOU WILDCATS

Head coach - Clay White

2021 record - 8-3, 3-2 in District 4 3A-II play

Base offense - MultipleSpread

Base defense - Multiple 4-2-5

Returning lettermen - 10

Returning off./def. starters - 3/3

Top returners - QB William Wall, RB Tyler Jack, WR Malachi Brisco, WR Carter Craig, OL Landry Bozeman, OL/DL Jackson Railsbeck, LB Cooper Ross, DB Jeter Garcia

2021 schedule

Aug. 26 — vs. Sweetwater, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 — vs. New Deal, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 — at Holliday, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 — at Shallowater, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 — at Vernon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 — vs. Abernathy*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 — vs. Coahoma*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 — at Lubbock Roosevelt*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28 — vs. Littlefield*, 7 p.m.

Nov. 4 — at Stanton*, 7 p.m.

*denotes District 4 3A-II game