Umatilla football team honored; bittersweet exit for baseball coach

It is a great time to be a Umatilla Bulldog. Between a revitalized football program and a deeply respected baseball legacy, Umatilla High School athletics is having a moment and has Lake County cheering. The Bulldogs football team was virtually unstoppable last fall during a 10-0 regular season before falling to West Nassau in the SSAA Atlantic Division semifinals.

To cement the historic run, the City of Umatilla hosted a monument dedication ceremony on May 20. The stone monument was crafted by Set in Stone Monuments, a company owned by Umatilla alumnus Colton Hartog, ensuring the team's brotherhood will be remembered for generations. Meanwhile, on the baseball diamond, the school is bidding a fond farewell to head baseball coach Tanner Clark, who is stepping down after five highly successful seasons.

Returning to his hometown in 2021, Clark completely transformed the Bulldogs’ culture and expectations, securing five consecutive winning seasons — a feat the program had not seen in decades. His crowning achievement came during the 2024 season when the Bulldogs captured their first district championship in 22 years with a thrilling victory over nationally recognized powerhouse Montverde Academy. The team finished that season with a 19-9 record, and Clark earned the title of Lake and Sumter Style Magazine Baseball Coach of the Year.

Beyond the accolades and back-to-back victories over rival Eustis, Clark played a major role in upgrading the school's baseball facilities and mentored students in the classroom through the AVID college readiness program. Clark is now taking his talents to Flagler College for the upcoming season. While Bulldog Nation will certainly miss his passion, leadership, and the community excitement he restored, the school is incredibly proud to see one of its own take this exciting next step in his career.