Kalen Clift is a junior linebacker at Weatherford High School who says football has taught him to be a good person and to push through challenges with the help of teammates who feel like family.
Weatherford High School varsity athlete Kalen Clift points to family, discipline and trust as the foundation of his football career. The junior linebacker said his older brother, Kasen, inspires him because he is always pushing him to work hard and put in the extra work. That mindset shows up in the way Clift prepares, whether he is studying film the night before a game or leaning on teammates who, in his words, are always on his side and pushing him to be the best.
For Clift, the best part of being on the team is the bond that comes with it. He described the group as a family, a place where everyone works to bring out one another’s best. That same camaraderie shows up in his favorite football memories, including Graham’s interception against Elk City and Ty’s catch against Blanchard in the first round of the playoffs, which he called the craziest thing he has seen on the field.
Clift said linebacker is his position, and the hardest part is reading offenses. Still, the challenge is part of what makes the game meaningful. He enjoys the constant demand to think, react and rely on preparation, all while playing for teammates who share the same goal. His pregame routine centers on watching game film, a habit that helps him get mentally ready and stay locked in before kickoff.
Away from football, Clift said he enjoys baseball in his free time. In school, math is his favorite subject, reflecting the same focus and structure he brings to athletics. Those interests fit a student-athlete who values work ethic and consistency in both the classroom and on the field.
Most of all, Clift said athletics has taught him how to be a good person. That lesson has shaped how he sees his role as a teammate and as a young man preparing for life beyond high school. With support from his brother, his teammates and the routine of daily preparation, Clift continues to build the habits that matter most.
To nominate a high school student for a feature in VYPE Magazine email a nomination to [email protected]
