Cliffe Has Huge Game for Flatonia in District-Clincher
Flatonia senior football player Dayton Cliffe is a multisport athlete who is currently riding the wave of a 9-1 regular season for the Bulldogs, while playing a huge part in it. During last Friday’s 49-17 win against Holland to cap off the regular season, Cliffe notched three total touchdowns to go along with six tackles on the defensive end. “He is a good multiple sport athlete that is extremely smart and versatile,” said Flatonia head football coach Chris Freytag. “His performance on Friday was amazing. I have never seen a back average that many yards per carry. He had a great game.” Cliffe’s monster night has made him our selection for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.
Question: How is this year’s season different than last year’s?
Answer: “We’re all a lot older and we all have experience because most of our team are seniors. We’ve all just been working a lot harder in the offseason and we’ve been a lot more prepared this year.”
Question: What was your mindset going into your big outing?
Answer: “Just the same mindset as every game. Play as hard as you can. At running back, just follow your blocks and let the offensive lineman do all the work. You just follow and lead it to the touchdown.”
Question: You also play basketball and baseball, which sport do you like the most and why?
Answer: “It’s definitely baseball. I’ve always loved it. My dad played in college, so that probably has a big influence on me. I do want to try and play college baseball somewhere.”
Question: Your dad played baseball at Sam Houston State, what kind of influence has he had on you when it comes to sports?
Answer: “It’s an amazing influence. He’s always pushed See me to be the best I can be and always pushed me the hardest. Just do the best I can.”
Question:If you had a complimentary shopping spree to the mall, where’s the first place you would go and why?
Answer: “Probably Academy. I’m just a big sports guy and I get a lot of stuff from there.”
Question: Who’s a person that’s really funny to you and why? Answer: “I’m gonna have to go with my teammate and best friend, Keyshaun. He’s just a really funny guy and he brings great vibes everywhere we go.”
Question: Who’s your favorite college or pro sports coach and why? Answer: “I’ll go with Sean McVay because he’s young and he’s just showing new things to the NFL. That’s what I like about him. He’s young and he can show that anybody can do it, really.”
Question: Which do you prefer, Gatorade or Powerade?
Answer: “Gatorade for sure.”
Question: What’s your goto movie?
Answer: “I really like The Sandlot. The Sandlot’s a go-to.”
Question: What’s an activity in Flatonia that you really enjoy?
Answer: “I just like hanging around my friends, really. Just being a part of that.”
Cliffe has been an essential component to a surging Bulldog football team.