2012 Rotary Bowl Preview: 'The Game' has arrived
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Week 10 is here, and that means one thing in Highland County … the Rotary Bowl … McClain at Hillsboro, this Friday night at Richards Memorial Field.
This year's game, the 28th game for the Rotary Bowl trophy (currently held by the Hillsboro Indians), has more than just Highland County bragging rights on the line.
For McClain, they are in the mix for a potential playoff spot (MHS has never made the playoffs) as they are currently ranked No. 6 in Region 12 with a 6-3 overall record and 5-2 mark in the South Central Ohio League, as they are currently coming off a 56-22 win over the Madison-Plains Golden Eagles last week.
"The Hillsboro game is always a big game for us, and we know we will get everything they got," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "Throw the records out and get ready for a big game.
"We ran the ball really well last week and have played solid defense most of the year. We must do that again this week."
Then there are the host Hillsboro Indians, who have had their share of struggles the past few seasons.
The Indians head into the final game of the regular season winless at 0-9 overall and 0-6 in the SCOL. Last week, the Indians lost 39-0, on the road, to the Washington Blue Lions … and they are battling injuries to their running game and linebacker core.
[[In-content Ad]]"We hope to see the emotional level we saw for homecoming," HHS head coach Brian Spicer said. "Despite our record, our kids are still fighting and working. This is a rivalry game, and we all know that records going in don't really matter.
"I know our kids are just as excited about this Week 10 game as last year, and the year before that, and so on and so on."
Now for a history lesson … a loss by the Indians would make them the first HHS team to go winless at 0-10 in a season since 1967. The '67 and '66 Indian football teams went a combined 0-20, and in '66, HHS scored just five TDs. At one point, the HHS teams from the final two games of '65 through the first game of '68 totaled 23 straight losses, breaking the streak in Week 2 of the '68 season, defeating Blanchester 14-0.
In the last three seasons, HHS has three wins in the SCOL. The last winning season for HHS was in '09, where they finished 8-2. MHS will finish '12 with a winning record no matter the outcome Friday, as their previous winning season was the '10 season at 6-4.
In '12, the Indians have allowed 407 points while scoring 85. The Tigers, who are tied for third in the league standings, have scored 208 points (scored 95 in 10 games last year), while their defense has allowed 213 with 115 of those points coming in losses to Clinton-Massie (No. 1 ranked in Region 16 and AP ranked No. 4 in Division IV) and Miami Trace.
"Hillsboro always has athletes and play makers, which will be a challenge for us to contain," Closson said. "It's extremely important for us to stay focused on what we can control … which is how we prepare this week and play this Friday. All other things are beyond our control.
"We're just focused on this game. This Rotary Bowl. That is all we can control."
This season for the Tigers has been one of redemption, as they went 1-9 one year ago. With a revamped defense, along with an offense committed to gaining a majority of their yards and points via the run, the Tigers have made vast improvements to not only their overall records with six wins currently, but it is easy to see that improvement on the field in most of their games this season.
"They are making plays when they need to, and that translates into wins," Spicer said.
Leading the way for the Tigers in '12 is senior running back Roscoe East, who has unofficially totaled 833 yards this season, as the running back rushed for 250 yards and five TDs last week against MP.
The MHS offense also runs through junior quarterback Thomas Schrader, senior running back Chris Sellman and senior wide receiver Jordan Goble, who all have had their big games or moments this season for the Tigers. On defense, Schrader has three interceptions, one going for a touchdown.
What the Tigers really have relied on is their defense this season. The MHS defense has been much improved from one season ago, and it has shown in the overall results as MHS gained their first shutout in eight seasons during a Week 6 36-0 win over the London Red Raiders.
One year removed from their 28-27 Rotary Bowl win at MHS, the Indians haven't won since at the varsity level. HHS hasn't won on their home field since Week 7 of the '10 season by a 42-34 score over MP.
But this is the Rotary Bowl, and that is motivation enough for the Indians.
"I have always liked the idea of 'playing for something,'" Spicer said. "I wish we had more 'trophies' for our other league games. There is always extra motivation that goes behind playing to keep or get back a trophy.
"Kids are funny that way. Look at how the Big Ten has plenty of those things that are 'on the line' for games. It just adds to the fun and the excitement."
The last time MHS won at HHS was in '10 when they defeated HHS, 28-15. Since the Rotary Bowl trophy was awarded in '85, HHS has won the game 18 times, and the Tigers have won nine times. Since '55, the Indians lead the Highland County rivalry, 31-26.
"This is the biggest game for us every season," Spicer said. "Our kids have a lot to play for, and I know they are excited about this Friday.
"This is one of those games that the coaches don't have to worry about whether the players will be up for the game. It is Hillsboro vs. McClain. It is for the Rotary Bowl. It is the last game for our seniors … nothing more needs to be said to get anyone pumped up."
This season for HHS, they have been led on offense by Kordell Ford, Kyler White, Craig Jackson at running back and quarterback Logan Lesley, though both Ford and White are battling injuries.
"We have been battling injuries and illness for the entire second half of the season.," Spicer said. "It is unfortunate to not be at 100 percent, but we must deal with it. I have always said that you don't win or lose a game because of who didn't play.
"We have a game plan ... the kids will do their best to make it work, that I am sure of."
The ’12 Rotary Bowl will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at Richards Memorial Field.
This year's game, the 28th game for the Rotary Bowl trophy (currently held by the Hillsboro Indians), has more than just Highland County bragging rights on the line.
For McClain, they are in the mix for a potential playoff spot (MHS has never made the playoffs) as they are currently ranked No. 6 in Region 12 with a 6-3 overall record and 5-2 mark in the South Central Ohio League, as they are currently coming off a 56-22 win over the Madison-Plains Golden Eagles last week.
"The Hillsboro game is always a big game for us, and we know we will get everything they got," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "Throw the records out and get ready for a big game.
"We ran the ball really well last week and have played solid defense most of the year. We must do that again this week."
Then there are the host Hillsboro Indians, who have had their share of struggles the past few seasons.
The Indians head into the final game of the regular season winless at 0-9 overall and 0-6 in the SCOL. Last week, the Indians lost 39-0, on the road, to the Washington Blue Lions … and they are battling injuries to their running game and linebacker core.
[[In-content Ad]]"We hope to see the emotional level we saw for homecoming," HHS head coach Brian Spicer said. "Despite our record, our kids are still fighting and working. This is a rivalry game, and we all know that records going in don't really matter.
"I know our kids are just as excited about this Week 10 game as last year, and the year before that, and so on and so on."
Now for a history lesson … a loss by the Indians would make them the first HHS team to go winless at 0-10 in a season since 1967. The '67 and '66 Indian football teams went a combined 0-20, and in '66, HHS scored just five TDs. At one point, the HHS teams from the final two games of '65 through the first game of '68 totaled 23 straight losses, breaking the streak in Week 2 of the '68 season, defeating Blanchester 14-0.
In the last three seasons, HHS has three wins in the SCOL. The last winning season for HHS was in '09, where they finished 8-2. MHS will finish '12 with a winning record no matter the outcome Friday, as their previous winning season was the '10 season at 6-4.
In '12, the Indians have allowed 407 points while scoring 85. The Tigers, who are tied for third in the league standings, have scored 208 points (scored 95 in 10 games last year), while their defense has allowed 213 with 115 of those points coming in losses to Clinton-Massie (No. 1 ranked in Region 16 and AP ranked No. 4 in Division IV) and Miami Trace.
"Hillsboro always has athletes and play makers, which will be a challenge for us to contain," Closson said. "It's extremely important for us to stay focused on what we can control … which is how we prepare this week and play this Friday. All other things are beyond our control.
"We're just focused on this game. This Rotary Bowl. That is all we can control."
This season for the Tigers has been one of redemption, as they went 1-9 one year ago. With a revamped defense, along with an offense committed to gaining a majority of their yards and points via the run, the Tigers have made vast improvements to not only their overall records with six wins currently, but it is easy to see that improvement on the field in most of their games this season.
"They are making plays when they need to, and that translates into wins," Spicer said.
Leading the way for the Tigers in '12 is senior running back Roscoe East, who has unofficially totaled 833 yards this season, as the running back rushed for 250 yards and five TDs last week against MP.
The MHS offense also runs through junior quarterback Thomas Schrader, senior running back Chris Sellman and senior wide receiver Jordan Goble, who all have had their big games or moments this season for the Tigers. On defense, Schrader has three interceptions, one going for a touchdown.
What the Tigers really have relied on is their defense this season. The MHS defense has been much improved from one season ago, and it has shown in the overall results as MHS gained their first shutout in eight seasons during a Week 6 36-0 win over the London Red Raiders.
One year removed from their 28-27 Rotary Bowl win at MHS, the Indians haven't won since at the varsity level. HHS hasn't won on their home field since Week 7 of the '10 season by a 42-34 score over MP.
But this is the Rotary Bowl, and that is motivation enough for the Indians.
"I have always liked the idea of 'playing for something,'" Spicer said. "I wish we had more 'trophies' for our other league games. There is always extra motivation that goes behind playing to keep or get back a trophy.
"Kids are funny that way. Look at how the Big Ten has plenty of those things that are 'on the line' for games. It just adds to the fun and the excitement."
The last time MHS won at HHS was in '10 when they defeated HHS, 28-15. Since the Rotary Bowl trophy was awarded in '85, HHS has won the game 18 times, and the Tigers have won nine times. Since '55, the Indians lead the Highland County rivalry, 31-26.
"This is the biggest game for us every season," Spicer said. "Our kids have a lot to play for, and I know they are excited about this Friday.
"This is one of those games that the coaches don't have to worry about whether the players will be up for the game. It is Hillsboro vs. McClain. It is for the Rotary Bowl. It is the last game for our seniors … nothing more needs to be said to get anyone pumped up."
This season for HHS, they have been led on offense by Kordell Ford, Kyler White, Craig Jackson at running back and quarterback Logan Lesley, though both Ford and White are battling injuries.
"We have been battling injuries and illness for the entire second half of the season.," Spicer said. "It is unfortunate to not be at 100 percent, but we must deal with it. I have always said that you don't win or lose a game because of who didn't play.
"We have a game plan ... the kids will do their best to make it work, that I am sure of."
The ’12 Rotary Bowl will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at Richards Memorial Field.