Class 2013: Cody Cluett, QB/Rec, Dartmouth High Spartans

Today, CFC features Class 2013 star quarterback/receiver from the Dartmouth High Spartans, Cody Cluett. Cody started his football career with the peewee Dartmouth Destroyers in 2005.

Cody Cluett:

Positions:
Quarterback, receiver

Height/Weight:
6’1, 190 lbs

Teams:
Dartmouth High Spartans (high school)
Dartmouth Destroyers (peewee/bantam)
Dartmouth Knights (junior varsity)
Dartmouth Destroyers (junior varsity)
Team Nova Scotia under-17, under-18, flag football National Team

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Guelph, Acadia, Mount Allison, Open

Class:
2013

Cody Cluett has already experienced a lot in his young football career. Starting at the age of 11, Cody played peewee for the Dartmouth Destroyers. The team won a provincial championship while Cody was named game MVP.

Additionally, the Destroyers became Maritime champions and Cody picked up the defensive player of the game award. In his last two years of peewee, Cody was selected as team MVP. Another honour he received was the IKON award. It is awarded to the top football player in Nova Scotia and the nominees included university and minor players.

Cody graduated to the bantam Destroyers. He was named team MVP and won a championship MVP award when the team won the provincial championship.

Playing for the junior varsity Dartmouth Knights, Cody was part of the provincial championship team. He also nabbed team MVP honours. With the junior varsity Dartmouth Destroyers, he also won a provincial championship.

In 2010, Cody joined the Dartmouth High Spartans as a rookie. The team won the Tier 2 Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) championship, due in large part to Cody’s contributions. The NSSAFFL acknowledged his efforts.

He was named the league’s rookie of the year and was selected on the first all-star team in the receiver position. Cody also picked up the team rookie of the year honours and was named 2010 Nova Scotia high school player of the year.

This past season with the Spartans, Cody was named the NSSAFFL co-offensive MVP and selected to the second all-star team in the quarterback position.

Furthermore, Cody has represented Nova Scotia. He served as the team captain on the provincial under-17 team. Also part of the provincial under-18 team that participated in Canada Cup, Cody was team captain.

If that weren’t enough, the Spartans player was a member of the Nova Scotia Flag football national championship team. As the captain and quarterback, Cody was awarded team MVP for his efforts on the field.

Cody accomplished another feat at a young age. At 13 years old, he was the youngest player to participate in the men’s Metro touch league.

While achieving a lot so early in his football career, Cody says his most memorable moment was winning his first championship.

“It took 3 years of hard work, and ending my 3 years of peewee with a championship at last felt amazing,” adds Cody.

Cody says that his parents are the big reason he has been able to achieve success on and off the field.

“They’ve always pushed me to do my best and be the best I can be,” says Cody. “Dad having me out always giving the time to help me with my game at a young age paid dividends.”

“My mom staying on top of me for my marks has always kept my options for university open.”

Other than his parents, Cody has been influenced and supported along the way by family and friends. Among them are his grandparents, aunt, uncle, close family friend Junior Leblanc and girlfriend Kelsey.

A big influence on Cody has been his brother, who has helped him so much with his game. Cody is able to work more on his receiver skills because his brother was a quarterback. However, the Spartans player explains that an incident involving his sibling has given him added motivation.

“He took a late hit to the head and was told he can never play football again so I guess in a way, that pushes me to work even harder because I want to do it for him as well,” explains Cody. “To see him always stay positive is remarkable and I admire him for that.”

Cody says he wouldn’t know where he would be without Tom Scott. Scott is the one that introduced him to tackle football. There are also others that have shaped Cody’s football life.

“Todd Galloway helped me become a better player talent wise but also gave me a greater knowledge about the game,” comments Cody. “He was always patient and helped me through whatever issues I was having.”

“Chris Judd developed me as a better QB which was huge for my grade 11 year and will be for my grade 12.”

Aside from football, Cody is on the Dartmouth High Spartans Division 1 basketball team. In his spare time, he likes to read and play video games. Among his favourite meals are pizza and spaghetti.

As for future plans, Cody is unsure which field of study he wants to pursue. He has narrowed it down to engineering or kinesiology. There is no denying though what career Cody is keen on pursuing.

“As for a future career, I want to take football to the pro level,” comments Cody. “It’s all I’ve dreamed about since I was 5 years old so there’s no point on backing out now.”

Cody has learned so many skills from football that he uses in all aspects of his life.

“How to work with a group, how to set a goal, work for it, and achieve it, to set our differences aside to work together, and to never be selfish,” explains Cody. “Above all though, I think football has taught me that nothing comes easy and it takes many hours of practice and hard work to accomplish something but nothing feels better than putting everything you have into something and coming out on top.”

Spartans assistant head coach Nick Barr says that Cody is very dedicated and has a great desire to help his team in every way possible. Barr also adds that Cody has played different positions other than quarterback and receiver for the Spartans. Those positions include defensive back, kick/punt returner, and punter.

“Cody never wants to come off the field, and is always looking to make the big play,” adds Barr. “As a coach, I feel confident that good things will happen when Cody is on the field whether it is for offence, defence, or special teams.”

It’s not just on game day that Cody contributes to the Spartans.

“In team meetings and film sessions, Cody is quick to make suggestions for improving our techniques, plays, and schemes,” says Barr. “He has an in-depth knowledge of the game that goes well beyond his years, and that all players his age should aspire to.”

“In practice, he helps our less experienced players by providing tips and feedback that they can use to improve their own play.”

Overall, Cody’s contributions have been appreciated by the Spartans.

“Other players look up to Cody as an athlete and leader, and we have been fortunate to have him with our program for the past 2 years,” explains Barr.

The Spartans assistant head coach believes the future bodes well for Cody in achieving the career he has wanted since the age of five.

“I sincerely believe that Cody will go on to have a very successful career at the university level and beyond,” comments Barr.

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