Clover duo set to take next step at college level

Thursday, March 22, 2018
Cloverdale senior Tyce Jackson recently signed a national letter-of-intent to play football at DePauw University. He is flanked by his father (Taulbee Jackson), mother (Wendy Jackson) and brother/ballboy Tayton Jackson. ALso witnessing the signing Also witnessing the signing were (back, from left) CHS principal Sonny Stoltz, CHS assistant coach Michael Nees, CHS assistant coach Billy Boyette and CHS athletic director J.J. Wade.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Cloverdale seniors Tyce Jackson and T.J. Hagymasi have been football teammates for many years. Next fall, they will suit up for different Division III college football teams.

Jackson, a versatile performer who played almost every position on the field, will play H-back (sort of a fullback/tight end position) at DePauw University. Hagymasi, the Clovers’ center for the past two seasons, will be a lineman at Franklin College.

Jackson carried the ball 120 times for 560 yards and nine touchdowns last fall in helping the Clovers to post a 5-6 record for their best season in many years. Jackson averaged 4.7 yards per carry and had a long run of 39 yards. Twice he topped the 100-yard rushing mark in a game.

Cloverdale senior T.J. Hagymasi recently signed a national letter-of-intent to play football at Franklin College. He was flanked by his mother (Soni Hagymasi) and father (Ted Hagymasi). Also witnessing the signing were (back, from left) CHS principal Sonny Stoltz, CHS assistant coach Michael Nees, CHS assistant coach Billy Boyette and CHS athletic director J.J. Wade.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

He only caught one pass, being used primarily as a running back on offense with an occasional snap at quarterback, but is looking to the new position with the Tigers.

“They said it’s up to me which position I play,” he said. “I could play linebacker too. Players change positions a lot in college football. I’ll play wherever they need me.”

Jackson chose DePauw for several reasons.

“It’s close, I like the coaches and the facilities are all so nice,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a better coach at this level than coach [Bill] Lynch.”

Jackson started playing football when he was “about four” years old.

“It’s exciting to take the next step,” Jackson said. “I’m just ready to get started. Every kid’s dream is to play college football. Coming from a small school, you realize you’re not going to play at Alabama – but it’s still cool.”

Jackson admits it was tough early in his Clover career, with his team not winning many games. At one point, the school had the longest consecutive-game losing streak. He’s glad it progressed so much during his four years.

“It wasn’t good to lose so many games, but it helps you to grow on and off the field,” he said. “It’s great to grow as a team and reach your goals, despite having so many different coaches. It was good to go out on a high note this year.

“Individually, I think I had a good year,” Jackson added. “With the kind of football we play, you had to be ready to play anywhere and I was ready for that. That was exciting, but it will be good to be able to focus on one position in college.”

Jackson also talked to Hanover and Franklin. He is not sure of his major field of study, but expects it to be in the economics or business fields.

Clover coach Tom Winders will miss one of his team leaders, but thinks he will do well at the next level.

“The first phrase that comes to mind is ‘Game Changer’,” Winders said. “He was one of my captains and he was like having a coach on the field. I have coached Tyce for many years, and it’s hard for me to imagine that I won’t have him on my roster next fall.”

Winders appreciates the varied contributions that Jackson was able to make.

“At the beginning of the year, we discussed earning other teams’ respect about Cloverdale football and Tyce did just that,” he said. “Other teams had to plan for him on both offensive and defensive sides. We have very big shoes to fill at the tailback and middle linebacker positions.

“He is a leader on and off the field, and I couldn’t be more proud of him and happy for his family.”

Hagymasi was often hidden in the middle of the action on the field doing the “dirty work” necessary for successful football teams. He didn’t score touchdowns, but Winders recognizes his contributions.

“The first word that comes to mind is ‘dependable’,” he said. “As a lineman they don’t always get their names mentioned a lot, but I can honestly say Cloverdale football has been blessed.”

Winders considers Hagymasi as one of the best centers Cloverdale football has ever had.

“T.J. is the type of player that does what is asked of him and doesn’t need much in return,” he said. “After being T.J.’s coach for many years, I have gotten spoiled over that time with him anchoring down the center position and this position also has big shoes to fill.

“I couldn’t be more proud for him and his family.”

Hagymasi only talked to Franklin, and he knew as soon as he stepped onto the school’s campus that he had found his collegiate home.

“It’s very small, and everybody was ‘for you’,” he said. “You don’t lose yourself in small schools, and that’s what I was looking for. They’ve been very good for many years, and coach [Mike] knows what he’s doing.”

Hagymasi signed his letter-of-intent in February, but has already fallen victim to one of the realities of college sports. The coach he dealt with the most, offensive line coach Daniel Watson, left the school earlier this month to become the offensive coordinator at Rose-Hulman.

Hagymasi stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 225 pounds, and knows he must be bigger to make an impact at the next level.

“They want me to bulk up a lot,” he said. “I have a lot of time to get in the weight room and work on that.”

Playing center is not glamorous or easy, as opposing defenses try to make their way through the middle of the line to get to the ball carrier or quarterback.

“You don’t get a lot of praise for it, but if you don’t get it done everything else can’t happen with the offense,” he said. “I’ve done it for a long time, and it’s a very stressful position. You have to know everybody’s job, not just yours. People only notice you if you mess up.”

He doesn’t mind the lack of glamour.

“It’s a whole team thing, and if someone scores it’s a credit to the entire team,” he said. “We all come together and celebrate it.”

Like Jackson, Hagymasi was pleased with the progress of the program during his career.

“In my freshman year, I came in and I was pretty small,” he said. “We had a pretty big senior class that year, and I only played on the junior varsity team. My sophomore year I suffered a knee injury, and I missed the whole season.”

Hagymasi successfully rehabilitated his knee and was able to return and start every game in his junior year – earning all-county and all-conference honors.

Like many Cloverdale student-athletes, Hagymasi plans to enter the athletic training field from the influence of Clover trainer Shawn Mattingly.

“It’s a great field, and there are plenty of job opportunities,” Hagymasi said.

Clover senior Nick Winders will also be playing at Franklin, and plans to sign his letter-of-intent sometime this spring.

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