The Clinton Maroons football team is playoff eligible for the first time since 2019 and perhaps a good deal of the success can be attributed to the family within the program.

No - it's not a cheesy, oft-overused cliche being thrown around by the coaches but instead, it is an underlying theme of the overall roster of players this year. Eight sets of siblings comprise this year's Maroons' total roster of 53.

Coach Ron Bass, who's been around small-town football most of his coaching career, says it's unlike anything he's ever seen.

Interestingly enough, all four captains this year have younger siblings on the varsity roster. Senior quarterback Mason Walker and younger brother - junior Colton Walker - work together on and off the football field.

Sophomore Keaton Graves says he and big brother, senior Dawson Graves, would get a little rough at home playing sports but the two say it made them better and now he tries to keep little brother in line and doing the right things. 

Tristin Potts has been showing little brother Zack how it's done off the field. The elder Potts has been making sure younger brother knows it takes dedication when you're not on the field to stand out when you're on the field.

Noah Bass and little brother Josh Bass say they get along just fine both on the field and at home. 

Bryant Gundy, a junior this year, and little brother Blake, a sophomore, say they are probably the most likely to get in trouble for fighting with each other during practice. They say it's still fun to play alongside each other at the varsity level this year.

Senior offensive lineman Densil Wheeler has been a good example for little brother Micah who is a freshman getting reps with the varsity this year. The elder Wheeler says while they still have their quarrels but find ways to keep from getting into trouble. 

Coach Bass gives this group a lot of praise saying it has been an enjoyable group to coach and notes while you might think with ten to sixteen siblings on the field at a given time, they rarely have any issues.

Having been around the small school football scene for many years, Coach Bass says it's the families of the schools and the close-knit nature of the community that makes it something special.

The Maroons will wrap up the regular season Friday night in Pontiac with its eyes set on its first playoff appearance since 2019. 

Hear Friday's action on WHOW and its many digital platforms. Then tune in Saturday night for the playoff show and hear from Coach Bass later in the 8 pm hour.