Clyde coach Eric Leuthold put Linkin Mullins and a few classmates on the field to start the third quarter against Norwalk, for one final snap.
The play call was a quarterback draw. Forty yards later — with a lead block from Mullins — Karcen Garner was in the end zone to cap their careers as the Fliers shut out Norwalk in Week 10. Clyde won three of its last four games, after winning once in its first six.
"We came together collectively and focused on the violence," Mullins said. "We felt we weren't violent enough in our execution. We were more aggressive in practice, and it helped in games."
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The strong close to the season provided a morale boost.
"We had high expectations," Mullins said. "With the rough start, the finish helped us have more fun to end the season. The team can build on leaving a legacy — that under no circumstances should you quit. You face adversity into the storm.
"The next group can buy into that for a bigger year in the new system."
It was Leuthold's first season at the helm for the Fliers. Mullins missed most of the first two games with an ankle injury. He rushed for 145 yards and two touchdown on 22 carries as he reclaimed a starting role in a victory over Edison in Week 7.
"It was a confidence thing," he said. "Coming back, I had to build up. I was rotating in. We regrouped after Week 6. The seniors said we couldn't go out like this."
Mullins, who started at linebacker the last two years, forced a fumble as the Chargers were driving in an effort to tie the game. Mullins ran in for a touchdown a few plays later in a 38-21 victory.
"I got to celebrate with my friends in the end zone," he said. "It was a breakout moment to end the game like that."
He remained on a roll, with 287 yards and two touchdowns on 34 tries in a win over Sandusky. He had 157 yards and three scores on only 12 totes against Norwalk.
Mullins was even the source of a bit of levity. He broke his helmet crashing face-first into a running back's hip.
"I had to wear a younger player's bucket," he said. "It might have been a spare. It was way too small; it hurt. I got a rush. I ran on the sideline and all my teammates made fun of me with a bucket on."
He wore the thimble for one drive, before his own helmet was repaired to start the second half. One of the underclassmen suggested the bucket provided Mullins with an alter-ego, considering he managed to bust a long run looking like a LEGO man.
'You play better with a bucket,' he was told.
Despite a setback to Port Clinton on Senior Night in Week 5, Mullins was honored to recognize the love the Fliers received from fans. Youngsters asked Mullins to sign footballs and gift them an arm band. Mullins wanted to help in a leadership role as a senior.
"You see how much hard work influences kids," he said. "After the last four games, there were also some cool things like that."
It was never lost on Mullins and his teammates.
"Throughout the season, the seniors talked about influencing biddy kids in the tough times," he said. "The community is there. We have to keep pushing ourselves forward for the best outcome."
Clyde fans likely saw a glimpse of the future against the Truckers. Freshman Trenton Elfring completed 11 of 14 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns in his first varsity start. He added two scores on the ground.
"He's an athlete and a competitor," Mullins said. "He stepped up right away on defense (at safety). On offense, he made the right decisions. His maturity to make big plays happen, but also not making a play worse. He scrambled out of the pocket and made athletic plays.
"He can hang at the varsity level. As a freshman, he's smaller, and he can't throw it as far. As he matures, he'll work well with the system."
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Clyde seniors cap football careers with strong finish to 2026 campaign