Interview: Rising 2021 California QB Jack Clougherty Covers Season with St. Francis

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

It wouldn’t be another California high school football season without covering a rising talent from under center surprising all with his play on the field. One of the exciting newcomers to take the Division III ranks by storm this season after being at the junior varsity level a year ago is Jack Clougherty. Clougherty (5-11, 175) has taken over a talented St. Francis High School squad throwing for 1,613 yards with 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions with one rushing score leading the team to a 5-2 record. The Golden Knights have three key games left against Crespi, Salesian, and Cathedral in search of an Angelus League title while seeking to win out to help their playoff ranking.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of California’s rising stars to learn more about his game with an overview on the Knights play this season.

Interview

Jack, you are that rare high school quarterback who can go under center in a pro-style set and lineup in the shotgun to deliver in a Spread. Over the offseason, how did you prepare for the pro-style passing plays in the playbook?

“Over the offseason I was working on my five-step drop and play action. I worked on getting my footwork down and getting the steps down to throw the deep ball.”

Your anticipation and touch on passes cannot be overlooked. What are some of the other strengths to your game that are being showcased this season?

“Other strengths are my ability to move in the pocket. My offensive line does a great job of giving me a pocket to work in to make plays. I am finding receivers downfield because I have time in the pocket. My pre-snap reads have improved and I am working on moving the safety with my eyes to make an easier throw.”

How has your overall game improved from a year ago?

“It has improved tremendously. I worked on reading defenses – that is 10-times better this season. I am doing it with a whole new receiver corps too; it has been amazing. My accuracy has improved a lot over last season coming up from JV. At the varsity level, you have to throw it on the money or it will get picked.”

The offense has been humming along putting up 34 points per game. What is clicking for you guys this season allowing the high-scoring outings?

“The offensive line is doing a great job with their pass and run block. (Running back) Kevin Armstead is doing a great job making plays this year. Our receivers are getting open making my job a lot easier.”

For any game the Knights may play, how do you prepare for a game during the week?

“We watch film on Monday, we make our game plan, we study that plan, we rep it out during the week and we execute it on Friday. I watch Hudl after homework every night. I am watching film reading their defenses, seeing their tendencies, and looking at the little things like that to prepare for the game.”

Of the games played this season, which has been your best so far?

“Mayfair or Harvard West Lake have been my two best games so far. In those two games, I had nine total touchdowns and no interceptions. Our offensive line did a great job in those games giving me time to throw; I did not get sacked in either one of those games. My completion percentage was off the charts; my receivers were making the plays for me.”

The team has three regular season games left. Looking at the season in totality or over the next three, what goals are you wanting to accomplish?

“Our first goal is to win league and go 3-0 in the last three games. We start with Crespi this week. We need to increase our playoff ranking by winning out. Then we go week to week fighting for a CIF ring. We have athletes, a good offensive line, good special teams, and our defense is studly this year; I think this is our year.”

When you watch football on Saturday or Sunday, who are you watching and what are you paying attention to so you can learn more about the game?

I watch college quarterbacks, because they are still learning the game. I watch their pre-snap reads. I watch like Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) and USC’s quarterbacks, because they are going through it all for the first time. I watch defenses as well. I watch their run stunts and coverages. I learn more as I go.”

Jack, thanks for your time today and I hope you and the Knights can close out the way you want.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits: https://mrphotos.smugmug.com; No. 6 Jack Clougherty