It didn’t take long for Daviess County’s Hunter Clark to start his impact on the program as he scored in his first game for the Panthers as a freshman in their 7-0 win over Grayson County in DC’s season opener back in 2017.
When the whistle blew in his final game for the Panthers on Oct. 26 against South Warren, Clark walked off the field in Bowling Green with 68 goals and 49 assists to his name.
It’s Clark’s dominance on the pitch and his ability to not only score goals but also set up his teammates that makes him the Owensboro Times Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year.
While some players are goal scorers, others are skilled in finding teammates. Clark excelled in both for the Panthers as he led the city in goals and assists this season.
“I have always tried to set players up so they can score and enjoy the crowd cheering for them because I don’t want people thinking I’m a ball hog,” he said. “That’s not who I am. I put others before me when it becomes a team thing. There’s this saying there’s no “I” in team and I’ve always went by the saying ever since I started playing team sports.”
Clark played in two KHSAA State Champions during his career with the latest coming in 2019 during his junior year. He said the loss is what fueled him going into his final season.
“Being that close to the state title last year with such a young team was unforgettable and we were all hungry to go back this year,” he said.
In was during that run to the final his junior season that gave Clark his most memorable moment in his four years.
The moment came in the semifinals during the Panthers’ 3-2 double overtime win over East Carter.
“The best memory that I had playing for Daviess County was last year in the Final Four game was in overtime and coach Doug (Sandifer) came up with a play that would give us the best opportunity to win,” he said. “He drew it up and he wanted me to take it out wide on the left side and play it across the box and hopefully someone was there to score it and it was Jacob (Boling). We won the game with 10 players. It gives me cold chills to this day.”
Clark was a part of 77 wins at Daviess County, including 14 this year in a shortened season.
He said it’s all a testament to his teammates and their drive to succeed.
“I never thought we would accomplish this much as a team especially with how young we were most of time,” he said. “Our upper class had to work harder and stay strong and fight to come on top.”
Clark and the Panthers have accomplished a lot in the last four years. He said it’s something he’ll carry with him for the rest of his life.
“Being a Daviess County Panther means a lot to me,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play varsity and from when I was in middle school, I have watched the varsity games wanting to accomplish being district and region champs. We did accomplish those things and kept the streak going … We all had high goals on being a state champ, some of us were in the state championship game twice and we lost both times to very good teams but we tried our best to show them that Daviess County can play with the best teams in the state of Kentucky.”
DC coach Doug Sandifer said Clark has helped the Panthers from the moment he stepped on the field as a freshman.
“Hunter has been able to contribute at the varsity level for all four years,” he said. “His impact rose significantly the last two years. He will leave our program in the top 10 all-time in both goals and assists. Only a handful of players have finished in the top 10 on both lists.”
Clark said he wouldn’t have been able to do what he did without the players before him and his coaches. He said it’s been a heck of a ride.
“I just want to thank all the coaches at Daviess County. I also want to say thank you to coach Ty Stauffer for doing SportsTutor and all the memories I have there since I was 7 or 8 years old.
“No. 2 out. Daviess County will always be a part of me.”
