By Hale McGranahan.

SHELBY, N.C. – In his first season on staff at Crest High School, Will Clark coached linebackers and coordinated the defense.

Crest gave up less than six points a game and recorded six shut outs en route to a 16-0 season that culminated with a 3A state championship.

Clark, who was named head coach after Mark Barnes left in February for the Sumter job, is counting on rising junior linebacker Justin Foster to help lead the Chargers into 2015.

“I was a little worried about him at first. I didn’t know if he was ready or not, ready to do it as a tenth grader,” Clark told TheClemsonInsider, during an on location interview.

“(Foster) took it on. He had some great players around him. I think he fed off that. I think he’s that great player for our defense, for our younger kids to put it on. But he’s got two more years. Man.

“He played half the season his ninth-grade year. He always wanted to be a basketball player and the light just came on. He ended up probably being one of our better players. I wouldn’t say our best player, but one of our better players.”

Foster had 57 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles during his sophomore season. One of those sacks and forced fumbles came during a critical moment in the state championship game against Havelock.

“They were driving and they were going in on the 20 probably,” Clark said. “(Foster) makes the quarterback scramble, chases him down and causes him to fumble. That was the knell that kind of drove them…he made big plays all year long.”

Coaches from the next level have started to take notice. Clemson was first offer. South Carolina, UNC, Tennessee, Duke, N.C. State and Vanderbilt have since jumped on board.

“He’s a good dude, 4.6 GPA. hen he leaves here, his 40-time will be lower than his GPA,” Clark said.

According to 247, he’s the No. 3 outside linebacker in the class of 2017 and the No. 31 overall prospect in the country.

During the most recent max week in the Crest weight room, Clark said Foster made significant gains in all three lifts. Foster squatted 355 pounds, bench pressed 245 and recorded a hang-clean of 265. In the 40, he ran a 4.71.

“Justin is a top-notch dude, a great guy,” Clark said. “His parents have done well.”