DOUBLE DUTY: Redbank Valley Senior Owen Clouse Will See Expanded Role on Football Field as He Also Chases 100 Career Goals for Bulldog Soccer Team

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT/D9) — Owen Clouse doesn’t remember how old he was when he suffered three concussions in rapid succession while playing youth football.

But by the time he was 10, the shoulder pads and helmet were stored away, traded for soccer cleats and kit.

Football for fútbol.

(Pictured above, Owen Clouse/submitted photo)

He put his skills to good use. Lightning speed. Quick feet. Strong right leg. Competitive fire.

Soon, Clouse was a soccer star, filling up the back of the net frequently with bending shots.

Football was long in his rearview.

Redbank Valley, Keystone, and Union/A-C Valley sports coverage on Explore and D9Sports.com is brought to you by Heeter Lumber.

He got to high school at Redbank Valley and continued to blossom. He set the single-season goal scoring record — a mark that had seemed safe and had stood for 20 years — with 39 as a sophomore.

Last year, he eclipsed the career mark for the Bulldogs and scored 38 more.

He currently sits at 81 heading into his senior season. His next big milestone — reaching 100 goals, and blowing past it — is front and center in his mind.

“It would be pretty cool to accomplish that,” he said.

Through it all, there’s always been a little critter gnawing at Clouse, a lingering thought, a wisp of an idea that he would one day return to the football field as a full- time player.

Last year, he put the pads and helmet on again for Redbank Valley — as a place kicker.

He thought that would scratch the itch. It only made him antsier.

So this fall, as a senior, Clouse has decided to moonlight as a full-fledged football player again. No restrictions. No fear. No prisoners.

“I really missed it in the past and I’m just trying to help out the football team as much as I can and just have fun,” said Clouse, who admitted being a senior was a factor in the decision. “Yeah, that went into it. Last year. Last opportunity.”

Clouse will play wide receiver and defensive back as well as kick again. He doesn’t know how much he will see the field, just that he probably will.

“Obviously, it’s a big change after not playing in a while,” Clouse said. “I’m getting the hang of it after some of the 7-on-7s, practices and a scrimmage. It’s coming back to me a little but, but it’s still a little challenging.”

But Clouse will certainly have plenty of help. His twin brother, Mason, is on the team. So are most of his friends, who he has had to watch play football from afar while wanting to be on the field with them.

Now, he’ll get that chance.

Soccer, though, is still is priority and Redbank has a solid team returning this season, even without one of Clouse’s partners in crime last season, Owen Harmon.

Plenty of firepower remains, which should again keep the pressure off of Clouse.

Clouse, though, will garner plenty of attention on the pitch from opponents.

“Yeah, we talked about that a lot,” he said. “But if there are two or three people on me, that gives other people chances to score and that’s gonna help us a lot.

“It doesn’t matter how many goals I score,” Clouse added, “as long as we win the District 9 championship.”

Clouse is also taking care to make sure he can balance the rigors of both sports during the same fall season.

Last year, it was easier as mostly a kicker. This year, not so much.

“It’s a little hard to balance,” he admitted.

Luckily for Clouse, there are very few scheduling conflicts.

Even practice times don’t overlap.

Redbank Valley football coach Blane Gold and boys soccer coach Ty Scott have tried their best to avoid such issues.

“All of my coaches have been super about it,” Clouse said.

Clouse is also taking the best care of his body that he can.

Each sport alone is physically demanding. Both at the same time can test anyone’s endurance.

“I stretch a lot. I try to go to bed early and get some good sleep,” Clouse said. “I watch what I eat. I’m all about that stuff.”

He’s also confident that the concussion issues that made him leave the football field when he was younger won’t crop up again.

“I’m not too worried about that,” Clouse said. “That happened a long time ago. Helmets are a lot better. The rules have changed so there’s less helmet-to-helmet contact. I think I’ll be fine.”

That paves the way for Clouse to possibly accomplish a rare feat this fall.

Win two District 9 championships in the same season.

Both the football and soccer teams at Redbank certainly have the talent to accomplish that goal.

Clouse would like nothing more.

“That would be pretty amazing,” he said. “I think it’s gonna be a fun year.”

Redbank Valley, Keystone, and Union/A-C Valley sports coverage on Explore and D9Sports.com is brought to you by Heeter Lumber.