The Brown & White

Losing four games this year by three points or less is tough for any team to handle, but one of the bright spots of the football team's 2008 season has been sophomore quarterback J.B. Clark.

Clark has thrown for 20 touchdowns and only nine interceptions this season for Lehigh. Among quarterbacks in the Patriot League, he ranks third in passing yards per game, second in touchdowns and third in completions and attempts.

Starting offensive tackle William Rackley said a solid young player at such a critical position is very important for the future of the Mountain Hawks.

"J.B. has been pretty good for us," Rackley said. "He's been progressing well throughout the season. He started off well and has continued to get better."

Although Clark's individual numbers have been good, he said he is hungry for a better Lehigh record.

"The numbers that mean everything are our wins and losses and this year hasn't been the best," Clark said. "I think my performance so far this year has a lot of room for improvement. Stupid mistakes and game-defining plays stick out in my mind."

Clark said it was only six years ago that he first put the pads on to play contact football.

"I played flag football growing up, but I wasn't as into football as I was into baseball," Clark said. "It wasn't until freshman year of high school that I strapped on the pads for the first time."

Clark became well-known in a short amount of time.

"I put up decent numbers for a run-based offense at Jupiter High School in Jupiter, Fla.," Clark said. "I led Palm Beach County in passing my senior year and was also nominated to the All-State team."

Clark was selected for the Lou Groza High School Player of the Year award for South Florida alongside Brandon Pendergrass, who is now a starting running back at Wake Forest University and Damien Barry, a defensive back at the University of Miami.

Clark said the highlight of his young career is being named the starter for Lehigh and having his family come to his first collegiate start.

Last season, as a freshman, Clark saw time in five games and completed just three passes. But with the graduation of quarterback Sedale Threatt, the starting quarterback position was up for grabs.

Clark said he worked extremely hard in the offseason to give him the chance to win the position.

"I trained hard in the weight room with the team during last spring and summer," Clark said. "I also trained with many of my former high school teammates who now play at big-time programs."

Clark said he had to make adjustments and earn the trust and respect of his Lehigh teammates in the huddle.

"It was very hard and still is, especially as a sophomore," Clark said. "In order to be a leader on this team I knew I needed to prove to my teammates that they can rely on me. It takes time to earn the full respect of your teammates."

Clark also looks to earn full respect from the entire Lehigh community this Saturday as the Hawks enter their 144th matchup with Lafayette College in the biggest game of the year.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. in Easton, Pa.