Gabe Clark battles past injuries to play on Free State’s offensive line

After missing the entire second half of last week’s football game with a knee injury, Free State senior offensive lineman Gabe Clark said nothing that will keep him out of the upcoming City Showdown.

He’s certainly had to wait longer than most players to find his way onto the field. There were two shoulder surgeries on his labrum. A concussion. A strained ligament in one of his knees.

Clark missed his entire junior season and was injured during parts of his freshman year. His first shoulder surgery was needed at the start of his sophomore basketball season.

Mostly healthy, Clark is just happy to be back playing the sport that he loves. For the past six games, heading into Friday’s matchup against Lawrence High, he’s started at left guard for the Firebirds’ offense.

“I just try to keep thinking positive,” Clark said. “Just pray that no more injuries happen.”

During the summer, Clark couldn’t participate in the team’s padded camps because of injuries. But that didn’t stop him from doing as much as he could to be ready for his senior season.

Once he was closer to full health, the 6-foot-5, 268-pound Clark knew what he was capable of doing, hopeful he could work his way into a starting role.

“That was the goal for me,” Clark said. “I just came out here and was working hard, and it all fell in place.”

Before a growth spurt in high school, Clark played quarterback and defensive back in youth football. He outgrew those positions, but kept his athleticism, which benefits him on the offensive line.

Clark noted he’s still “pretty fast for my size.” On an offensive line that features three players at 6-5 or taller — Clark, Turner Corcoran and Jalan Robinson — Clark is a natural fit when he lines up in the interior with center Ben Holiday and right guard Shane Skwarlo.

“He’s a big kid with athletic ability,” Free State coach Bob Lisher said. “He can move his feet.”

When Clark was forced to sit out all of last season because of his second shoulder surgery, he said it gave him the opportunity to study other players and other positions.

Even when he was sidelined with injuries, it never entered his mind to stop playing football.

“I love the sport,” Clark said. “I can’t get enough of it.”

Clark said he prides himself on his work ethic and his teammates and coaches are thrilled to have him back on the field.

“He’s still got some tweaks and twangs here,” Lisher said, “but he’s playing through them and doing a good job for us.”