'13 Week 1 Football Preview: Indians, Tigers host games to open season
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Hillsboro Indians (0-0) vs. Western Brown Broncos (0-0)
There have been a lot of changes with the Hillsboro Indians since the end of last season. They have a new head coach in Matt Hodge, a new offense, a new defense and a renewed sense of hope and excitement.
Now standing in their way of their first victory since the final game of the '11 season are the Western Brown Broncos, a team that is coming off a 8-2 mark last season.
Speaking of the Broncos (who play in the Southern Buckeye Conference - American Division), Coach Hodge spoke about the athleticism of the first opponent of the '13 season.
WB returns 16 starters, including quarterback Devyn Wood. On the defensive side, WB has moved to a 3-4 formation.
"Western Brown is a very athletic team that has a lot of speed at the skilled positions," he said. "Their quarterback is athletic, smart and makes good decisions. Their defense is fast and gets to the ball well."
HHS has to begin the season without junior starting quarterback Logan Lesley, who was injured in the Indians' first scrimmage of the preseason at Unioto. Replacing Lesley under center is junior Toby Warrington.
"Logan is a great athlete and a great football player," Hodge said of his QB. "Losing him hurts us on both sides of the ball.
"I can't say enough about Toby … he has stepped right in and assumed that leadership role and is running with it. Toby is a smart football player who leaves it all on the field. He has a huge heart and is pressing that onto his teammates."
As is every other team in the state, the Indians are just ready to start the season.
"We are excited to get the season started," Hodge said. "The kids have worked hard and are looking forward to Friday nights under the lights."
Consistency will be key for the Indians in '13.
"Our scrimmage season was up and down," Hodge said. "We played well in spurts but need to work on our consistency."
For the Evan Dreyer-led Broncos, they defeated the Indians 41-14 last season and 41-12 in '11. The last time the Indians defeated WB was the '10 season by a 35-34 score.
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[[In-content Ad]]McClain Tigers (0-0) vs. Adena Warriors (0-0)
The '13 McClain Tigers will start the '13 season in a traditional format, hosting the Adena Warriors from the Scioto Valley Conference.
The Tigers are coming off a season where they finished 7-3 overall, but one spot short of reaching the playoffs. Since that time, the Tigers do have a different look on both sides of the ball, along with being in Division IV this season, dropping down from Division III.
Looking at the preseason, the Tigers scrimmaged Southeastern, Wilmington and Logan Elm, though the Tigers will enter the game with some injuries.
"I really feel that all the scrimmages really challenged us and helped get us ready for the season," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "We got several kids banged up, but they should all return to play at some point this season."
Not having the full starting lineup they envisioned during summer camp, the Tigers have a tough challenge awaiting them in a Warrior team that is known for their physical rushing attack out of the I Formation. One thing with the Warriors, though, is they will sneak in a play action pass every now and again to keep a defense honest, as they showed in a scrimmage against the Hillsboro Indians a couple weeks ago.
The Warriors, who are coached by Paul Thomas, have also made some changes with their defense as well as they are coming off a 3-7 season (2-5, SVC) where they allowed 233 points in 10 games (they scored 254).
AHS must replace a 1,400-yard running back by using multiple backs and will be starting a new quarterback this season in Cade Harper. McClain is also replacing one of their top running backs from last season, but Thomas Schrader returns at quarterback for a third season.
Last year, the Tigers defeated AHS, 24-18 in double overtime. In '12, AHS was 1-3 on the road.
"Adena is always a tough, physical football team," Closson said. "They will run the ball and hurt you with play action passes. It looks like they have switched up their defense to a 4-3 with some five-front variations."
As with any team, the Tigers are ready for the season to begin.
"There is no doubt that game week turns everything up a couple notches, and it is an exciting time," Closson said. "We have played Adena week one what seems like forever, and it's a great way to start the season.
"It is always a tough game, and it seems like it always comes right down to the end. Last year's game with double overtime … you can just plan on the game being a battle."
There have been a lot of changes with the Hillsboro Indians since the end of last season. They have a new head coach in Matt Hodge, a new offense, a new defense and a renewed sense of hope and excitement.
Now standing in their way of their first victory since the final game of the '11 season are the Western Brown Broncos, a team that is coming off a 8-2 mark last season.
Speaking of the Broncos (who play in the Southern Buckeye Conference - American Division), Coach Hodge spoke about the athleticism of the first opponent of the '13 season.
WB returns 16 starters, including quarterback Devyn Wood. On the defensive side, WB has moved to a 3-4 formation.
"Western Brown is a very athletic team that has a lot of speed at the skilled positions," he said. "Their quarterback is athletic, smart and makes good decisions. Their defense is fast and gets to the ball well."
HHS has to begin the season without junior starting quarterback Logan Lesley, who was injured in the Indians' first scrimmage of the preseason at Unioto. Replacing Lesley under center is junior Toby Warrington.
"Logan is a great athlete and a great football player," Hodge said of his QB. "Losing him hurts us on both sides of the ball.
"I can't say enough about Toby … he has stepped right in and assumed that leadership role and is running with it. Toby is a smart football player who leaves it all on the field. He has a huge heart and is pressing that onto his teammates."
As is every other team in the state, the Indians are just ready to start the season.
"We are excited to get the season started," Hodge said. "The kids have worked hard and are looking forward to Friday nights under the lights."
Consistency will be key for the Indians in '13.
"Our scrimmage season was up and down," Hodge said. "We played well in spurts but need to work on our consistency."
For the Evan Dreyer-led Broncos, they defeated the Indians 41-14 last season and 41-12 in '11. The last time the Indians defeated WB was the '10 season by a 35-34 score.
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[[In-content Ad]]McClain Tigers (0-0) vs. Adena Warriors (0-0)
The '13 McClain Tigers will start the '13 season in a traditional format, hosting the Adena Warriors from the Scioto Valley Conference.
The Tigers are coming off a season where they finished 7-3 overall, but one spot short of reaching the playoffs. Since that time, the Tigers do have a different look on both sides of the ball, along with being in Division IV this season, dropping down from Division III.
Looking at the preseason, the Tigers scrimmaged Southeastern, Wilmington and Logan Elm, though the Tigers will enter the game with some injuries.
"I really feel that all the scrimmages really challenged us and helped get us ready for the season," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "We got several kids banged up, but they should all return to play at some point this season."
Not having the full starting lineup they envisioned during summer camp, the Tigers have a tough challenge awaiting them in a Warrior team that is known for their physical rushing attack out of the I Formation. One thing with the Warriors, though, is they will sneak in a play action pass every now and again to keep a defense honest, as they showed in a scrimmage against the Hillsboro Indians a couple weeks ago.
The Warriors, who are coached by Paul Thomas, have also made some changes with their defense as well as they are coming off a 3-7 season (2-5, SVC) where they allowed 233 points in 10 games (they scored 254).
AHS must replace a 1,400-yard running back by using multiple backs and will be starting a new quarterback this season in Cade Harper. McClain is also replacing one of their top running backs from last season, but Thomas Schrader returns at quarterback for a third season.
Last year, the Tigers defeated AHS, 24-18 in double overtime. In '12, AHS was 1-3 on the road.
"Adena is always a tough, physical football team," Closson said. "They will run the ball and hurt you with play action passes. It looks like they have switched up their defense to a 4-3 with some five-front variations."
As with any team, the Tigers are ready for the season to begin.
"There is no doubt that game week turns everything up a couple notches, and it is an exciting time," Closson said. "We have played Adena week one what seems like forever, and it's a great way to start the season.
"It is always a tough game, and it seems like it always comes right down to the end. Last year's game with double overtime … you can just plan on the game being a battle."