Insider Info Championship Edition: Jack Clausen (Wayzata-2021)
In my latest feature article for Northstar Football News: “The Trojan Reign Reestablished”, I interviewed six Wayzata Trojans that were apart of the 2019 state championship. After releasing the full feature, I thought it would be both appropriate as well as interesting to post each Trojans individual interview…
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Continue ReadingIn my latest feature article for Northstar Football News: “The Trojan Reign Reestablished”, I interviewed six Wayzata Trojans that were apart of the 2019 state championship. After releasing the full feature, I thought it would be both appropriate as well as interesting to post each Trojans individual interview so our readers can receive as much exclusive insight into the success of 2019, as well as what it means to these boys to be a Trojan, and what lessons they have learned from the ride.
The Trojans.In these individual interviews that I used as sources for the feature, the Wayzata players give even more detail into the inner workings of the team and their keys to success. This “Championship Edition” of NFN’s “Insider Info” highlights Wayzata’s CB and ’21 graduate Jack Clausen. A lockdown junior, Clausen shared with us some of the big moments of ’19, his career at Wayzata thus far, big plays from the state championship game, and how playing for the Trojans has prepared him for his next steps in life as well as college football. I hope you enjoy!
NFN: It has been an incredible year for you and the Wayzata Trojans. First begin by just telling us what it means for you to be a Trojan, and what your career has been like at Wayzata.
Clausen: “It’s an honor to be a Trojan. After a few down years it’s great to see the program picking it back up and getting some momentum again. My time at Wayzata has been great and I credit that to the great coaches and teammates I have.”
NFN: Walk us through some of differences the program has seen since you were a freshman to now senior. What difference can you credit with having the biggest impact on the Trojans success this year?
Clausen: “Every year I’ve been here, the leaders have gotten better and better. This year our captains were great but everyone else led the team too. It has also brought a new energy to the team that I haven’t seen before.”
NFN: How was the 2018 season for you as well as Wayzata? What were some big games, low moments, and how did you build off 2018 to succeed in 2019?
Clausen: “The 2018 season was filled with a lot of up and downs. Losing to both Minnetonka and EP by less than a touchdown is not fun. I remember after we lost to Woodbury, we said we aren’t gonna have to feel that disappointment again next year. That experience led us to work harder in the offseason.”
NFN: How was the offseason and how is it playing defense with studs like Loshiaka, Robertson, and Demro? Describe the 2019 regular season. How was it going undefeated? When did you know you guys were going to be legit, especially on defense?
Clausen: “The offseason was very tough. The workouts were high paced and exhausting but everyone bought into it. Playing with people like Loshiaka, Sam, and Demro is great for everybody because they set a mentality for the defense. We were fast and physical and they really idolized that. Going undefeated was amazing and it kept us working hard because we knew we had a target on our backs being the #1 team in the state. I think I knew we were a legit team after the Prior Lake game. The 95-yard drive capped of with a stop on defense to seal the game let everyone know we were legit.”
NFN: Elaborate on the state playoffs and especially the championship game! What were some big plays and moments, and how was your performance?
Clausen: “Going through state was such a cool experience. Playing in U.S Bank was an awesome environment too. The best moment for me was when Sam almost housed the kickoff return. I was blocking my guy and heard a huge roar from the crowd and turned and started running with him down the field. Being on the field during that play was the coolest experience of it all.”
NFN: What will stay with you as a Trojan as you transition into the next step of your football career? How has Wayzata prepared you for college football if it’s something you’re interested in?
Clausen: “I think we practice, lift, and play with a purpose. We have fast paced and high energy practices that keep everyone focused on whatever their job is. This will help ease the transition from high school to college football if I decide to do so.”
Hudl from sophomore year ’18: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9460881/5be0813e6e8bf50c1c2fedf3