Like a matchbox in a drawer, sophomore Drake McClurg might not be the biggest person on the football field. Like a lit match to a drop of oil, however, he can set a secondary on fire.
Against Trinity High School, Kentucky’s 28-time state champion, he was virtually uncatchable. Yet, as he smoldered his way to 238 yards and two touchdowns, he himself was catching fire.
Like almost every Trojan opponent this year, the Shamrocks held no answers to the questions McClurg was asking the defense with his speed, agility and versatility. The game was the test, and McClurg was facing it with record-breaking poise. Yes, the record-breaking poise that netted McClurg the school’s single-game receiving yardage record.
“Honestly, I didn’t know I broke the record until someone told me after the game,” McClurg said. “I was so in the moment. They were in a man defense, so I got to go one-on-one with those guys. [Quarterback] Gabe [McWilliams] found me multiple times, and I just made plays.”
The record-breaking game was one of many game-day displays from the sophomore, who has racked up 922 receiving yards to go along with nine total touchdowns (five rushing, four receiving) this season. However, despite his receiving prowess, it’s his rushing background that has made an impact on his play style.
“I grew up as a running back, so I always had the hitting in me,” McClurg said. “As a receiver, I still block people. I get the ball in space and make moves. There’s still contact, but I think when I get the ball as a receiver, I can make plays like a running back.”
Clocking in at 5’11” and 160 lbs, McClurg is on the smaller side when it comes to receivers, though other attributes, such as his speed, have allowed him to excel at the varsity level as a sophomore.
“I don’t weigh the most,” McClurg said. “I’m not the tallest. But I think I overcame that with my speed and quickness. I juke people here and there, and when they’re not expecting it, I’ll lower my shoulder and get extra yards. It also started last year. I wasn’t the biggest or strongest last year as a freshman, but I think that’s where I learned and started to get over that.”
One aspect that McClurg has had to adapt to this year is a change in the Trojans’ personnel, especially at quarterback. With IU quarterback Tyler Cherry having graduated along with last years’ receiving leader Noah Coy, McWilliams and McClurg have stepped up to the plate, with the two creating a bond on and off the field.
“It started in the summer,” McClurg said. “He found me on a couple of deep balls, and I knew we were going to have a good connection. He threw some really good balls, and I’m proud to have him as a quarterback. I’m glad to have the connection we have, on and off the field, and we’re excited to see where this playoff run goes.”
Speaking of playoffs, the Trojans have started their path to the state championship with two straight victories and a sectional championship. With harder opponents looming ahead, McClurg will look to use his experience from the regular season to push him through the playoffs.
“We’ve had the hardest schedule out of any team in the state, so we’ve seen the best guys in the country,” McClurg said. “We played a team from Baltimore who are top in the country. We’ve seen those guys, and we know we’ve seen them before, and these DBs we see in the playoffs aren’t going to be as good as what we’ve seen, so we know what it’s like, and we know how to beat it, and that’s going to help us in the playoff run.”
Stiffer competition will make the Trojans’ quest for a third state title in four years difficult, but the history of the program’s success has been more of a motivator for McClurg rather than a burden.
“It’s an expectation here at Center Grove,” McClurg said. “Go downtown, in Trojan town, and just bring back this school some joy. We’ve had a great fall with all sports, and bringing home a state championship for this school would obviously be an awesome goal to have in my career.”
When the Trojans faced the Trinity Shamrocks, McClurg set fire to one of the best defenses in the nation.
When the Trojans take the field against Warren Central tomorrow night, they will hope that their matchbox can illuminate the dark Friday night again.
When it does, it might just set the Warriors’ secondary, and the postseason, ablaze.
