Rotary Bowl Preview: Tigers to host rival Indians in final game of season
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By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The 2013 season hasn't been what was expected for the Hillsboro Indians and the McClain Tigers, but this Friday night, all of that can be put aside, as the winner of the annual Rotary Bowl game will have bragging rights for the next 365 days.
This year, the Indians and Tigers are entering the game to be played at McClain Field in Greenfield with a combined four wins, as the host Tigers are 3-6 overall and the Indians are 1-8. Neither team has won a game in South Central Ohio League play this season (both are 0-5), and neither team has won a game since the fourth week of the regular season.
None of that matters now. All that matters is who wins in Week 10, in the Highland County rivalry game that was first played in 1903 when HHS defeated the Tigers, 68-0.
[[In-content Ad]]"The Rotary Bowl is always a big game and very important to our kids," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "We have to stay focused and play mistake-free ball offensively and prevent the big plays defensively."
Closson also spoke about how his players are prepared for this game, though they've had some struggles this season.
"I've been impressed with our attitude," he said. "We had some very high goals for this season, and while we have come up short on the wins, I feel that the team has stayed focused and continued to play hard every week.
"Our kids are ready for this game. It is the final game for our seniors, and the Rotary Bowl is up for grabs ... there is a lot left to play for."
This will be the first time HHS head coach Matt Hodge has coached against the Tigers in the Rotary Bowl. Hodge has coached against the Tigers while at East Clinton, but this is his first time involved with the Rotary Bowl, which has been awarded since 1985.
"This game has great tradition and pride," Hodge said. "I'm excited to be part of such a storied rivalry.
"To be successful in this game, we have to be consistent for four quarters. If we are going to be successful this week, we have to execute from the first snap to the last. We have to eliminate our mistakes we made last week."
Like Closson said about the Tigers, Hodge spoke about how impressed he's been with his team and how they've kept their attitude up this season.
"I've been impressed with how resilient we are and have been," Hodge said. "No matter what our record is or how Friday night went, these kids have come back on Monday and gone back to work."
One key to this game will be quarterback play. Hillsboro had junior Logan Lesley return after missing most of the season with an injury suffered in the opening scrimmage of the preseason.
For the Tigers, it is unsure if senior starting quarterback Thomas Schrader will return after missing the past two games with an injury.
Hodge spoke about Lesley's return last week as the full-time starter, allowing Toby Warrington (the quarterback for most of the season) to go back to his original position at running back/receiver.
"Logan is an athlete," Hodge said. "He brings another dimension to our offense and defense. I couldn't have asked more from Toby this season. He played hard for us at the quarterback position."
Last year, McClain won the Rotary Bowl by a 54-6 score in Hillsboro. The last time a team has won back-to-back Rotary Bowls were the 2008 and '09 seasons by Hillsboro. HHS won three straight in that stretch of the rivalry, also winning the '07 game.
Since the Rotary Bowl trophy was first awarded in 1985, the Indians lead the series, 18-10.
This year, the Indians and Tigers are entering the game to be played at McClain Field in Greenfield with a combined four wins, as the host Tigers are 3-6 overall and the Indians are 1-8. Neither team has won a game in South Central Ohio League play this season (both are 0-5), and neither team has won a game since the fourth week of the regular season.
None of that matters now. All that matters is who wins in Week 10, in the Highland County rivalry game that was first played in 1903 when HHS defeated the Tigers, 68-0.
[[In-content Ad]]"The Rotary Bowl is always a big game and very important to our kids," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "We have to stay focused and play mistake-free ball offensively and prevent the big plays defensively."
Closson also spoke about how his players are prepared for this game, though they've had some struggles this season.
"I've been impressed with our attitude," he said. "We had some very high goals for this season, and while we have come up short on the wins, I feel that the team has stayed focused and continued to play hard every week.
"Our kids are ready for this game. It is the final game for our seniors, and the Rotary Bowl is up for grabs ... there is a lot left to play for."
This will be the first time HHS head coach Matt Hodge has coached against the Tigers in the Rotary Bowl. Hodge has coached against the Tigers while at East Clinton, but this is his first time involved with the Rotary Bowl, which has been awarded since 1985.
"This game has great tradition and pride," Hodge said. "I'm excited to be part of such a storied rivalry.
"To be successful in this game, we have to be consistent for four quarters. If we are going to be successful this week, we have to execute from the first snap to the last. We have to eliminate our mistakes we made last week."
Like Closson said about the Tigers, Hodge spoke about how impressed he's been with his team and how they've kept their attitude up this season.
"I've been impressed with how resilient we are and have been," Hodge said. "No matter what our record is or how Friday night went, these kids have come back on Monday and gone back to work."
One key to this game will be quarterback play. Hillsboro had junior Logan Lesley return after missing most of the season with an injury suffered in the opening scrimmage of the preseason.
For the Tigers, it is unsure if senior starting quarterback Thomas Schrader will return after missing the past two games with an injury.
Hodge spoke about Lesley's return last week as the full-time starter, allowing Toby Warrington (the quarterback for most of the season) to go back to his original position at running back/receiver.
"Logan is an athlete," Hodge said. "He brings another dimension to our offense and defense. I couldn't have asked more from Toby this season. He played hard for us at the quarterback position."
Last year, McClain won the Rotary Bowl by a 54-6 score in Hillsboro. The last time a team has won back-to-back Rotary Bowls were the 2008 and '09 seasons by Hillsboro. HHS won three straight in that stretch of the rivalry, also winning the '07 game.
Since the Rotary Bowl trophy was first awarded in 1985, the Indians lead the series, 18-10.