10 reasons to attend the Rotary Bowl
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Bragging rights are on the line this Friday at Richards Memorial Field. There are two teams playing, both for pride of their team, community and school, but each team has different goals to achieve with a win.
The McClain Tigers are going for their first winning season since at least 2002. A win against Hillsboro would do that, plus send the Rotary Bowl trophy back to the McClain trophy case.
A Hillsboro win would give them two South Central Ohio League wins and a fourth-straight Rotary Bowl victory.
With that, let's open up a 10-pack of storylines, facts and subjects to look forward to with the 2010 version of the Rotary Bowl.
1. Rivalry
That one word explains this game. Rivals. These two teams have been playing since 1903 (Hillsboro won 68-0). The nicknames were different, with Hillsboro being the Cowboys and Tigers being the Yellow Jackets.
It didn't become the Rotary Bowl until 1985, with Hillsboro shutting out McClain, 37-0. HHS has won this game 17 times (since being named the Rotary Bowl), and MHS has been the winner eight times.
Today, each community still wants bragging rights, and the winner gets them until the next time the teams will play on the same gridiron in 2011 at McClain Field.
Fans and players are lucky to get to play their county rival each season. Back in my day, for some unknown reason, I never had the opportunity to play my Fayette County rival in football.
2. Saying hello to Dave Grover
Maybe this one is just for me, but I am excited to go to Richards Memorial Field, walking into the pass gate where Dave Grover will be standing. If you are going through the pass gate, say hi to Dave.
3. McClain going for a winning record
The Tigers are 5-4 with this being their last game, so they have an opportunity to do something a McClain team hasn't done since 2003: finish the season with a winning record.
MHS is coming off one of the worst losses in their history (77-7) to the Jonathan Alder Pioneers.
The Tigers had a goal of finishing with a winning record, and this is their chance to achieve two goals with one win, with the other being taking the Rotary Bowl trophy back to Greenfield.
4. Seniors playing their final game
Each year, the final week of the regular season is the end of high school football for the majority of seniors throughout the state. I hope fans of both teams will come to RMF, celebrate and cheer for the seniors taking the field for the final time of their high school careers.
The seniors involved will never forget this game, so everyone should come out and give them one last round of cheers on the gridiron.
5. The game is usually physical
You won't see a game where records don't matter as much as you will when these two teams play one another. One of the best high school games I've watched was in 2007 when Hillsboro beat MHS in overtime (14-13) at McClain Field. Did I mention headed into that game the Tigers had two wins and the Indians had one win?
This year, the teams have a combined seven wins, so you never know what will happen with this game. Plus, this game has a different feel than any other game on the schedule.
6. Hillsboro going for 4 in a row
Since the Rotary Bowl has been awarded, starting in 1985, HHS has won four or more games in a row twice. The first streak was 1987-1990 and 1992-1996 (five straight). McClain last won the trophy in 2006. If HHS wins, they will win this game for four consecutive seasons for a third time. They've won the last three meetings by a combined score of 59-21.
7. A time to cheer like it's the last game of the season
To be blunt, I've been to movie theaters that have been louder than some of the football crowds I've been around this season.
Sometimes teams scored touchdowns and you could hear the crickets chirping. No lie.
Remember, this is the last time you'll have to celebrate your hometown football team until next August. Let loose.
8. Anything involving a trophy is worth watching
How can a game involving a trophy not be worth watching?
Not only does your team have a chance to win the game, and beat a rival, but get a trophy, too? Sign me up to watch a game like that.
And the added bonus is the winner gets their picture taken by me, that's what I call a good day.
9. Two of the best marching bands in the SCOL
I've enjoyed both of the halftime shows of the Hillsboro Indians and McClain Tigers this year. The Tigers have had two of my favorite songs on their playlist this season: "Batman" and "Don't Stop Believin'."
HHS has a good band as well. They have the flag corp, and MHS has the dance team.
Both have their own unique qualities and have entertained me and many others this season.
10. Sweet shirt
I have no dog in this fight. I talk to both coaches every Monday. I've watched and kept track of each team all season. I consider them both my teams, and I wish them both the best of luck.
But I, along with managing editor of content something or another Brandy Chandler, have awesome shirts prepared for this game.
This Rotary Bowl is gonna be fun. Thanks to the players and coaches for allowing me to follow them all season, and have a great game this Friday.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
The McClain Tigers are going for their first winning season since at least 2002. A win against Hillsboro would do that, plus send the Rotary Bowl trophy back to the McClain trophy case.
A Hillsboro win would give them two South Central Ohio League wins and a fourth-straight Rotary Bowl victory.
With that, let's open up a 10-pack of storylines, facts and subjects to look forward to with the 2010 version of the Rotary Bowl.
1. Rivalry
That one word explains this game. Rivals. These two teams have been playing since 1903 (Hillsboro won 68-0). The nicknames were different, with Hillsboro being the Cowboys and Tigers being the Yellow Jackets.
It didn't become the Rotary Bowl until 1985, with Hillsboro shutting out McClain, 37-0. HHS has won this game 17 times (since being named the Rotary Bowl), and MHS has been the winner eight times.
Today, each community still wants bragging rights, and the winner gets them until the next time the teams will play on the same gridiron in 2011 at McClain Field.
Fans and players are lucky to get to play their county rival each season. Back in my day, for some unknown reason, I never had the opportunity to play my Fayette County rival in football.
2. Saying hello to Dave Grover
Maybe this one is just for me, but I am excited to go to Richards Memorial Field, walking into the pass gate where Dave Grover will be standing. If you are going through the pass gate, say hi to Dave.
3. McClain going for a winning record
The Tigers are 5-4 with this being their last game, so they have an opportunity to do something a McClain team hasn't done since 2003: finish the season with a winning record.
MHS is coming off one of the worst losses in their history (77-7) to the Jonathan Alder Pioneers.
The Tigers had a goal of finishing with a winning record, and this is their chance to achieve two goals with one win, with the other being taking the Rotary Bowl trophy back to Greenfield.
4. Seniors playing their final game
Each year, the final week of the regular season is the end of high school football for the majority of seniors throughout the state. I hope fans of both teams will come to RMF, celebrate and cheer for the seniors taking the field for the final time of their high school careers.
The seniors involved will never forget this game, so everyone should come out and give them one last round of cheers on the gridiron.
5. The game is usually physical
You won't see a game where records don't matter as much as you will when these two teams play one another. One of the best high school games I've watched was in 2007 when Hillsboro beat MHS in overtime (14-13) at McClain Field. Did I mention headed into that game the Tigers had two wins and the Indians had one win?
This year, the teams have a combined seven wins, so you never know what will happen with this game. Plus, this game has a different feel than any other game on the schedule.
6. Hillsboro going for 4 in a row
Since the Rotary Bowl has been awarded, starting in 1985, HHS has won four or more games in a row twice. The first streak was 1987-1990 and 1992-1996 (five straight). McClain last won the trophy in 2006. If HHS wins, they will win this game for four consecutive seasons for a third time. They've won the last three meetings by a combined score of 59-21.
7. A time to cheer like it's the last game of the season
To be blunt, I've been to movie theaters that have been louder than some of the football crowds I've been around this season.
Sometimes teams scored touchdowns and you could hear the crickets chirping. No lie.
Remember, this is the last time you'll have to celebrate your hometown football team until next August. Let loose.
8. Anything involving a trophy is worth watching
How can a game involving a trophy not be worth watching?
Not only does your team have a chance to win the game, and beat a rival, but get a trophy, too? Sign me up to watch a game like that.
And the added bonus is the winner gets their picture taken by me, that's what I call a good day.
9. Two of the best marching bands in the SCOL
I've enjoyed both of the halftime shows of the Hillsboro Indians and McClain Tigers this year. The Tigers have had two of my favorite songs on their playlist this season: "Batman" and "Don't Stop Believin'."
HHS has a good band as well. They have the flag corp, and MHS has the dance team.
Both have their own unique qualities and have entertained me and many others this season.
10. Sweet shirt
I have no dog in this fight. I talk to both coaches every Monday. I've watched and kept track of each team all season. I consider them both my teams, and I wish them both the best of luck.
But I, along with managing editor of content something or another Brandy Chandler, have awesome shirts prepared for this game.
This Rotary Bowl is gonna be fun. Thanks to the players and coaches for allowing me to follow them all season, and have a great game this Friday.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]