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Clifford To Lean On 'Bodyguard' Stout

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

TAMPA - Wharton offensive lineman Hunter Stout will have to act as a bodyguard this season. No one is to harm quarterback Andrew Clifford under his watch.

Stout will have the task of guarding Wharton's ticket to the playoffs this season in Clifford.

"My goal is to bring a new intensity to the line," Stout said. "I want to punish people."

At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Stout can do just that. Middle Tennessee State has already made an offer to the standout lineman.

"Hunter, he takes up space," Coach David Mitchell said. "If he gets his hands on you, he's going to move you."

Clifford said he feels confident in the pocket knowing Stout is on the line.

"He gives me time," Clifford said. "If I make plays, I make him look good."

Clifford, an in-the-pocket type quarterback who looks more like a linebacker at 6-3 and 215, came into his own last year. After the first game in 2007, Mitchell decided to make Clifford the starting quarterback when starting quarterback Josh Powell went down with an injury.

Clifford finished the season with 1,471 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 80 of 139 passes as a junior. He was later given the team's Big Cat Leadership Award.

"He has a strong arm and he can put the ball in tight places," Mitchell said. "He's a nice-sized quarterback and he's strong. He likes to learn."

"He's the most underrated quarterback in the county," Stout said. "He's the best in the county next to Aaron Murray."

In the Class 5A region quarterfinal loss to Chamberlain, Clifford went 16 of 23 for 234 yards and two TDs.

"I want to improve every day," Clifford said. "I want more win totals and take the team further than last year."

During the summer, Clifford took home the golden jersey after winning the Golden Gun Accuracy Challenge at the 2008 EA Sports Elite 11 regional quarterback camp at the University of Alabama. He scored 15 points in the preliminary round, and then won the final with six points at the camp, which also included Georgia commitment Zach Mettenberger.

Clifford played sparingly as a sophomore, acting as a backup to Powell, who moved to linebacker last year. He said the experience was invaluable.

"Sophomore year, I always felt like I was getting better," he said. "I was getting better because I was on the scout team going against the best defense in the county at the time."

The University of Alabama-Birmingham and South Carolina have shown interest in the standout play-caller.

Stout said he is very confident Clifford will lead the team this season. If they can rely on each other, along with the production receiver Khiry White and running back Shane McEwen can add to the team, Wharton's offense should be one of the best in the county this season.

"It's a trust thing," Stout said. "I'll do my job and he'll do his. I know he knows what he's doing."

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