JACKSON TWP — From an early age, Eric Clakeley knew what he wanted to do with his life.

"In my fourth-grade yearbook, they asked all the students what they wanted to be when they grow up," Clakeley said. "Most of the kids wanted to be a doctor or veterinarian, things like that. I said I wanted to be an offensive coordinator for a football team."

Since then, his dream has grown to becoming a head coach.

Either way, Clakeley has proved that his response seven years ago wasn't just child's speak.

Now 16 and a junior at Seneca Valley High, Clakeley has been in the Raiders coaching box with assistant coaches Virgil Palumbo and Dan Wilkins for every game this season.

"I spot the ball and keep an offensive play chart, keeping track of down, distance and what hash mark the ball is on for every play. Doing all that helps us figure out what plays are working in certain situations."

Two years ago, Clakeley met then-SV head coach Ron Butschle and began to talk football.

"He knew I understood the strategy of the game more than the average fan," Clakeley said.

During the 2008 season, Clakeley had the same duties he currently performs, but he was doing them from Seneca Valley's sideline alongside Butschle.

When current coach Don Holl was brought in, he gave his OK for Clakeley's being in the coaches box during games.

"He's so unique," said Holl. "He's a football junkie and he loves the process of how things work on the field.

"He's nuts about the sport and he could become a great coach."

During halftime, Clakeley takes his play sheets to Holl. He also has been a part of film sessions that help the coaches prepare for each game.

"Age is just a number," said Wilkins, the team's assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator. "Responsibility is how you react to things and Eric is a pretty mature kid.

"This is not a job where you watch your watch," Wilkins added. "He understands the time commitment you need to have because he's put in countless hours. We call him 'Machine' because he does everything."

Clakeley has seen the game from two different angles.

"Being in the booth gives you a different perspective that you can't get anywhere else," he said. "But nothing beats the intensity of being on the field."

Clakeley has been fascinated with all levels of football from a young age and he takes his role with the SV football team and his dream very seriously.

"I have a portfolio made up of the offense I would run, with all the plays and everything," he said. "My base set would be a spread offense, with a little triple option thrown in.

"I played football in third grade, but was too small to continue with that," he said. "But I knew I had to make it part of my life somehow."

He plans to continue with SV's football team through next season, after which he hopes to attend West Virginia University with the goal of becoming a graduate assistant with the Mountaineers' program.

"I'll probably major in athletic coaching education," said Clakeley.

Clakeley also has been involved with the SV boys basketball team and hopes to be a stat keeper for both the boys and girls squads this season.

For the Seven Fields resident, nothing beats Friday nights in the fall, however.

"I love every part of Friday nights," he said. "There's never a time when I wish I was doing something else."