Clark brothers lead MC defensive line

Everyone who has a brother or sister knows the feeling of competing with them and trying

your hardest to be better than them at everything that they do. What most don’t know is that

this doesn’t go away on the football field; it intensifies. At the same time, the strength of the

fellowship that exists between the two becomes even stronger as they strive towards a common

goal. For brothers Jonathon and Joshua “Buddha” Clark, this has been the case since they started

playing Pee-Wee football.

 

The Clark brothers started playing football in Atlanta, GA, at the ages of four and five and

have been playing together ever since.

 

“I always looked up to Jonathon when I was growing up,” said Joshua. “When I was coming

out of high school, I was in the mindset where I wanted to play ball with my big brother, and it

was a great decision.”

 

There was little doubt in the minds of the brothers that they would one day play college

football together. Since they first hit the field together in their childhood, they knew that they

were going to the same school. When Joshua found out that Jonathon was going to Maryville

College, he still kept his options open with other schools that were looking at him, but in his

mind, he always knew that he was going to be with his brother.

 

“I always wanted to play college ball with my brother, since I was five years old. We’ve

always been playing together and it feels right having him here,” said Jonathon.

 

Jonathon came to Maryville College prior to the 2012 season and made a strong impression,

grabbing All-Conference honors. The next year, Joshua joined the Scots with high expectations.

According to Joshua, this has been the case since high school:

 

“When I was growing up, I always had big shoes to fill. In college, I can make my own path.

I still look up to Jonathon, but I make a way for myself. I still try to outperform my brother,

though, because I like to remind him that I am trying to do things better than he does on the

field.”

 

Both of the Clark brothers are known for their competitive nature, and competing with one

another only adds fuel to the fire.

 

“We compete with each other every day,” said Jonathon. “We both hold each other

accountable at a high level and that will never change. We both have bad days, but we pick each

other up and push each other to get better.”

 

Eventually, there will be a time where the two will not be able to play together. Jonathon will

graduate in 2016, leaving Joshua with big shoes to fill.

 

“I feel like I will have to match the energy that he brings when he leaves. I can never be him,

but I will try to match or even double his energy. I feel like I should be able to handle it.”

 

This season, Jonathan has recorded 12 total tackles and two sacks, and Joshua has recorded

eight total tackles with two for a loss of yardage.