SCOL Football Notebook: Week 6
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The second half of the season is here, which means there are only five weeks remaining in the regular season, but I want to start off by talking about the Hillsboro Indians football team.
I finally had the chance to watch them live last Friday at Miami Trace, and even though they lost by 30-plus points, this team fought until the game ended. I can respect that. I've covered teams in the past when once they got down by a certain amount, that was all she wrote, so to speak.
As for the Indians, they trailed by 34 points in the second quarter last week, and you know what they did … they, through all the struggles in the first half, compiled a 91-yard drive for six points.
Though not many fans decided to make the 35 or so mile drive to watch their Indians, I honestly hope next week (Week 7) for the Indians' homecoming game against London, the place gets so packed home fans will spill over to the away side.
Though they've had their struggles on the field … this Hillsboro team, as my publisher wrote a couple weeks ago, does have a lot of heart.
As Coach (Brian) Spicer said in this week's preview: "Losing is tough ... no one likes to lose, but winning is tougher. It requires a whole lot more work. I keep emphasizing that the only way to turn things around is to work more, get better, get smarter and keep plugging at it. Acceptance will not lead to improvement … we need to work to win."
The players on the team deserve to have a huge fan base at Richards Memorial Field for their homecoming game, no matter if their record is 5-0 or 0-5 … it doesn't matter … if folks claim to be fans of their Indians, go there to support the team next week for their homecoming game.
Attendance, I've been told, has been down compared to past seasons. Make up for it next week and go watch the Indians take on the Red Raiders of London … we only get so many of these football Friday nights a year, so take advantage of them.
Another thing that I heard this past week and I know this is football, and truth be told the atmosphere coaching, playing and watching the game is much different than most sports, but really at this point of the season, what good does yelling at the players and coaching staff from the stands really do? Sadly, it happens … I heard it last week … I have no use for it, and there is no excuse for it. Just my opinion though.
This past summer when I spoke to 45 players about their then-upcoming football season, many of them said their favorite memories included when the fans would pack their home fields and the atmosphere it gave … how about during Week 7 for homecoming, give the HHS players that memory and atmosphere as they look to gain a win for their fans, their school and their team on homecoming.
Also during the London game on Oct. 5, the Indians will honor the 10-0 team from 1992.
[[In-content Ad]]• The SCOL at the midway point
This SCOL season has gone pretty much the way I expected it to go thus far with the Falcons leading the way and parity throughout the rest of the league. I'm not saying that it is a good or bad mixture, but when a majority of the teams face each other in the upcoming weeks (including this week), it will be tough to pick a winner, but that makes for exciting games.
Here are the standings as we head into Week 6:
SCOL (after Week 5)
(L) (O) Pts. For Pts. Agt. Streak
Clinton-Massie 2-0 5-0 259 21 5W
Miami Trace 2-0 2-3 164 136 2W
Washington 2-0 3-2 135 157 3W
Madison-Plains 1-1 4-1 140 82 1L
McClain 1-1 3-1 87 127 1W
East Clinton 0-2 1-4 133 142 2L
Hillsboro 0-2 0-5 45 226 5L
London 0-2 0-5 62 224 5L
As you can see looking at the standings in league play there are the Falcons at the very top, then I say there is a second tier with Miami Trace, Madison-Plains, Washington and McClain and possibly East Clinton as they have scored 133 points and have lost their two league games by a combined nine points. HHS and London are in rebuilding years.
Each week, the tiers will change for the fact all of the standings will be settled on the field, and it will be very interesting to see how the standings are shuffled each week following.
• Weekly Previews and Predictions
Remember, none of these picks are personal, it is just what I feel headed into the game …
- London Red Raiders (0-2, 0-5) at McClain Tigers (1-1, 3-2)
Well, the OHSAA Region 12 No. 9-ranked McClain Tigers made my prediction last week wrong, and I'm happy for them. This team proved once again after two tough weeks they rely on their defensive attack, and they are just fine winning games that way.
They scored valuable points off an interception last week against East Clinton by Thomas Schrader as they won 20-14 on the road. This week, they host winless London as the Tigers look to not only win their fourth game of the season, but second on their home field as they defeated Unioto in Week 2 at McClain Field.
To read the entire game preview, click here.
Prediction: McClain wins.
- Hillsboro Indians (0-2, 0-5) at Clinton-Massie (2-0, 5-0)
This is a tough matchup for any team as the Hillsboro squad visits the Falcons on homecoming at CM.
CM has steamrolled their first five opponents this season and haven't lost in the SCOL since late '07 (going for their 28th straight win in the league) … this will be tough for the Indians.
To read the complete game preview, click here.
Prediction: Clinton-Massie wins.
- Washington Blue Lions (2-0, 3-2) at Madison-Plains (1-1, 4-1)
This could be the "game of the week" for the SCOL with two teams that have good running games, but defenses that have allowed points in large chunks at times this season.
I really like the running games from both teams as they both can produce points and yardage for their respective offenses.
It's hard to look at the Golden Eagles' performance last week as they faced Clinton-Massie … but for the first four games, they played well.
The Blue Lions have won three straight games (outscoring their opponents in those wins, 106-63) after dropping their first two games of the year. WCH has two wins on the road as they've scored 60 points and allowed 20.
Again, if you are watching this game, you better be a fan of old-school running, smash-mouth football.
Prediction: Washington wins.
- East Clinton (0-2, 1-4) at Miami Trace (2-0, 2-3)
The Panthers are starting to be on the upswing of things as they head into their game with East Clinton with two consecutive victories. The Astros of EC have dropped four of their first five games, but they've only allowed eight more points than they've scored, so they are a little better than their overall record states.
This, like the above game, will be full of a lot of running plays as both teams have good, solid running games with mobile quarterbacks and tough running backs who, if they get the proper blockage, can break away for big gains.
Last week, the Tigers held EC in check more than most teams have this season, and after seeing Miami Trace this season, they are in the process of "Rebuilding their Tradition" as they spoke a lot about that this preseason.
Again, this game I feel has a lot of parity with similar offenses, but I just feel the Panthers are a little bit ahead, and this game will come down to the final quarter.
Prediction: Miami Trace wins.
• Last Week's Scores
Week 5 (Friday, Sept. 21, 2012)
- McClain 20, East Clinton 14
- Hillsboro 6, Miami Trace 54
- Madison-Plains 0, Clinton-Massie 42
- Washington 28, London 7
• Last Week's Predictions
Last week, in the four SCOL games predicted, I finished 3-1 overall. That makes me 23-9 on the year after five complete weeks.
• 5 Things I'd like to see in Week 6
1. I'd like to see more traveling … make a night out of it, and fans travel to watch their hometown team on the road. Only five more of these nights left in the regular season.
2. I'd like to see the biggest crowd of the season at McClain Field Friday … it is homecoming, and this team deserves a big crowd to support them in their next-to-last home game of the season.
3. I'd like to see healing at Clinton-Massie for their loss of former quarterback Jake Richardson, who passed away at the age of 19 last weekend. I'm sorry for their loss.
4. I'd like to see close games in the league where the final drive could determine a win or loss. Those games, from my view, are always more fun to cover.
5. I'd like to see just solid, tough football.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
I finally had the chance to watch them live last Friday at Miami Trace, and even though they lost by 30-plus points, this team fought until the game ended. I can respect that. I've covered teams in the past when once they got down by a certain amount, that was all she wrote, so to speak.
As for the Indians, they trailed by 34 points in the second quarter last week, and you know what they did … they, through all the struggles in the first half, compiled a 91-yard drive for six points.
Though not many fans decided to make the 35 or so mile drive to watch their Indians, I honestly hope next week (Week 7) for the Indians' homecoming game against London, the place gets so packed home fans will spill over to the away side.
Though they've had their struggles on the field … this Hillsboro team, as my publisher wrote a couple weeks ago, does have a lot of heart.
As Coach (Brian) Spicer said in this week's preview: "Losing is tough ... no one likes to lose, but winning is tougher. It requires a whole lot more work. I keep emphasizing that the only way to turn things around is to work more, get better, get smarter and keep plugging at it. Acceptance will not lead to improvement … we need to work to win."
The players on the team deserve to have a huge fan base at Richards Memorial Field for their homecoming game, no matter if their record is 5-0 or 0-5 … it doesn't matter … if folks claim to be fans of their Indians, go there to support the team next week for their homecoming game.
Attendance, I've been told, has been down compared to past seasons. Make up for it next week and go watch the Indians take on the Red Raiders of London … we only get so many of these football Friday nights a year, so take advantage of them.
Another thing that I heard this past week and I know this is football, and truth be told the atmosphere coaching, playing and watching the game is much different than most sports, but really at this point of the season, what good does yelling at the players and coaching staff from the stands really do? Sadly, it happens … I heard it last week … I have no use for it, and there is no excuse for it. Just my opinion though.
This past summer when I spoke to 45 players about their then-upcoming football season, many of them said their favorite memories included when the fans would pack their home fields and the atmosphere it gave … how about during Week 7 for homecoming, give the HHS players that memory and atmosphere as they look to gain a win for their fans, their school and their team on homecoming.
Also during the London game on Oct. 5, the Indians will honor the 10-0 team from 1992.
[[In-content Ad]]• The SCOL at the midway point
This SCOL season has gone pretty much the way I expected it to go thus far with the Falcons leading the way and parity throughout the rest of the league. I'm not saying that it is a good or bad mixture, but when a majority of the teams face each other in the upcoming weeks (including this week), it will be tough to pick a winner, but that makes for exciting games.
Here are the standings as we head into Week 6:
SCOL (after Week 5)
(L) (O) Pts. For Pts. Agt. Streak
Clinton-Massie 2-0 5-0 259 21 5W
Miami Trace 2-0 2-3 164 136 2W
Washington 2-0 3-2 135 157 3W
Madison-Plains 1-1 4-1 140 82 1L
McClain 1-1 3-1 87 127 1W
East Clinton 0-2 1-4 133 142 2L
Hillsboro 0-2 0-5 45 226 5L
London 0-2 0-5 62 224 5L
As you can see looking at the standings in league play there are the Falcons at the very top, then I say there is a second tier with Miami Trace, Madison-Plains, Washington and McClain and possibly East Clinton as they have scored 133 points and have lost their two league games by a combined nine points. HHS and London are in rebuilding years.
Each week, the tiers will change for the fact all of the standings will be settled on the field, and it will be very interesting to see how the standings are shuffled each week following.
• Weekly Previews and Predictions
Remember, none of these picks are personal, it is just what I feel headed into the game …
- London Red Raiders (0-2, 0-5) at McClain Tigers (1-1, 3-2)
Well, the OHSAA Region 12 No. 9-ranked McClain Tigers made my prediction last week wrong, and I'm happy for them. This team proved once again after two tough weeks they rely on their defensive attack, and they are just fine winning games that way.
They scored valuable points off an interception last week against East Clinton by Thomas Schrader as they won 20-14 on the road. This week, they host winless London as the Tigers look to not only win their fourth game of the season, but second on their home field as they defeated Unioto in Week 2 at McClain Field.
To read the entire game preview, click here.
Prediction: McClain wins.
- Hillsboro Indians (0-2, 0-5) at Clinton-Massie (2-0, 5-0)
This is a tough matchup for any team as the Hillsboro squad visits the Falcons on homecoming at CM.
CM has steamrolled their first five opponents this season and haven't lost in the SCOL since late '07 (going for their 28th straight win in the league) … this will be tough for the Indians.
To read the complete game preview, click here.
Prediction: Clinton-Massie wins.
- Washington Blue Lions (2-0, 3-2) at Madison-Plains (1-1, 4-1)
This could be the "game of the week" for the SCOL with two teams that have good running games, but defenses that have allowed points in large chunks at times this season.
I really like the running games from both teams as they both can produce points and yardage for their respective offenses.
It's hard to look at the Golden Eagles' performance last week as they faced Clinton-Massie … but for the first four games, they played well.
The Blue Lions have won three straight games (outscoring their opponents in those wins, 106-63) after dropping their first two games of the year. WCH has two wins on the road as they've scored 60 points and allowed 20.
Again, if you are watching this game, you better be a fan of old-school running, smash-mouth football.
Prediction: Washington wins.
- East Clinton (0-2, 1-4) at Miami Trace (2-0, 2-3)
The Panthers are starting to be on the upswing of things as they head into their game with East Clinton with two consecutive victories. The Astros of EC have dropped four of their first five games, but they've only allowed eight more points than they've scored, so they are a little better than their overall record states.
This, like the above game, will be full of a lot of running plays as both teams have good, solid running games with mobile quarterbacks and tough running backs who, if they get the proper blockage, can break away for big gains.
Last week, the Tigers held EC in check more than most teams have this season, and after seeing Miami Trace this season, they are in the process of "Rebuilding their Tradition" as they spoke a lot about that this preseason.
Again, this game I feel has a lot of parity with similar offenses, but I just feel the Panthers are a little bit ahead, and this game will come down to the final quarter.
Prediction: Miami Trace wins.
• Last Week's Scores
Week 5 (Friday, Sept. 21, 2012)
- McClain 20, East Clinton 14
- Hillsboro 6, Miami Trace 54
- Madison-Plains 0, Clinton-Massie 42
- Washington 28, London 7
• Last Week's Predictions
Last week, in the four SCOL games predicted, I finished 3-1 overall. That makes me 23-9 on the year after five complete weeks.
• 5 Things I'd like to see in Week 6
1. I'd like to see more traveling … make a night out of it, and fans travel to watch their hometown team on the road. Only five more of these nights left in the regular season.
2. I'd like to see the biggest crowd of the season at McClain Field Friday … it is homecoming, and this team deserves a big crowd to support them in their next-to-last home game of the season.
3. I'd like to see healing at Clinton-Massie for their loss of former quarterback Jake Richardson, who passed away at the age of 19 last weekend. I'm sorry for their loss.
4. I'd like to see close games in the league where the final drive could determine a win or loss. Those games, from my view, are always more fun to cover.
5. I'd like to see just solid, tough football.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.