During their high school football careers in the 1980s, Clark players often said they hailed from Clark, Texas.

They had their reasons. The school was located outside San Antonio city limits. There weren’t many businesses in the De Zavala Road area where the school was located. The overall atmosphere gave Clark the feeling of a small community.

Things have since changed. The city limit sign has expanded past De Zavala, and businesses have cropped up like wildfire. But, even though the area has a different look, former players Jeff Shore, Tim Brown and Mitch Finnie still refer to the area as Clark, Texas.

The trio, along with several other Clark exes, have made sure the homey feeling stays intact by forming the Clark, Texas Football Club,

The non-profit organization promotes camaraderie and keeps in touch with former players, coaches and fans of the program. During the season, they give out Big Hit awards and even show up at practice to announce the winners. They sponsor the Cougars’ lift-a-thon each year and have a golf tournament as a fundraiser. Overall, their main objective is presenting a college scholarship to a Clark player in financial need.

This past spring, the group presented its sixth scholarship and will be looking to deliver another this school year as well.

Their reason for taking on the task is simple. They want to show their appreciation by giving back to the school where they had many special times.

The majority of the club members were on playoff teams regularly, but the overall motivation came from what they learned form their coaches about life in general. Now, they do their part to pass it on in their special way.

“We felt so fortunate to have coaches who were great role models and did so much for us,” Shore said. “There was a certain code of conduct you were supposed to follow. The coaching staff expected a lot from us as players and citizens. From the first day you walked into the fieldhouse, the expectations were set. We had Mike Robbins, Lloyd Alexander (current Clark head coach), Danny Padron (O’Connor coach) and Mark Reeve (Cuero coach). We felt fortunate to have role models like that.”

Former players credit Robbins for naming the area Clark, Texas. In a way, the former coach also played a slight role in getting the club off the ground.

“We had planned a get together when Coach Robbins retired in 2002,” Shore said. “We were expecting maybe a few players and coaches just to say thanks and get caught up on things. By the time it was over, we had 250 former players, parents and coaches coming. We also had coaches from other teams and even a football official show up. It was a neat sendoff.

“We had so much fun, we didn’t want it to die. We started talking about ideas how we could keep it going and maybe do something for the community. We came up with this club.”

Now, the group is going strong. Although the scholarship is the top priority, giving the Big Hit Award enables

club members to stay involved in the program on a weekly basis.

Each game different former players keep tabs on who will come up with the highlights. It could be a big hit or even a big play that turns the game around

This year, there have been plenty of big hits and key plays as the Cougars (7-1, 5-1) have won four games in the fourth quarter and are one victory away from clinching a Class 5A playoff spot.

The recent game with O’Connor was a true example of big plays as the Cougars overcame a 17-0 deficit and sent the game into overtime in the final seconds, before quarterback Hayden Greenbauer’s two-point conversion run gave the Cougars a 32-31 win.

That week’s award went to Alexander, who called for the two-point conversion.

“We have different players judging the big play, because we want the kids to see we all have an interest in what is going here and we are members of the community,” said Shore, who went to West Point after Clark and was a captain in the Army. “We come from all walks of life. We have doctors, coaches, lawyers in a group.

“I think it is important for them to see members of the community. One of these days they are going to become a member of the community and we want them to become a good one.”

Being part of the organization means a great deal to Tim Brown as well. He’s had the opportunity to be involved with Clark’s football program as a player and coach. Now that he is in private business, Brown is enjoying the chance to be part of the program as a fan and club member.

“It’s a labor of love,” Brown said. “We were so fortunate to have gone to school here and now we can give something back. It’s neat seeing the kids succeed. I think the reason this program is so successful is the coaches have always put children first. They’re going to do what’s best for them. The coaches did a great of taking someone, nurturing him and then watching him grow.”

And the scholarship is the most rewarding part of being in the club.

“The scholarship is a great opportunity for us to give a scholarship to someone who might need a little help in going to college,” said Finnie, who now serves as the Cougars’ team doctor.