Week 3 Preview: Indians, Tigers both on the road
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Listed are high school football previews for Week 3 as the McClain Tigers travel to face Zane Trace and the Hillsboro Indians also hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Wilmington Hurricane.
McClain (2-0) at Zane Trace (0-2)
For the second week in a row, the McClain Tigers will hit the road as they will face the Zane Trace Pioneers in a non-league matchup.
Last season, the Pioneers just beat the Tigers as the game came down to the final play, where the ZT defense stopped the Tigers from scoring a five-yard TD for a 17-12 loss. This year, MHS knows what they have to do.
"Zane Trace is a well-coached football team that plays very hard," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "We certainly remember last year's loss and know we will have to play a great game to get a victory."
For MHS this season, they have used their rushing attack to their advantage, totaling 652 yards in just two games, both wins. Closson knows his team must run the football to be successful.
"We are certainly running the ball very well and have several talented backs to carry the load," he said, "But, it all starts up front with the offensive line. It’s a great luxury to be able finish to games with a power run game."
For the Tigers defense headed into this game, they've been able to force multiple turnovers in their first two games against Adena and Unioto. Forcing turnovers is something the Tigers have been able to do well to contribute to their wins.
"Winning the turnover battle is key to winning, and in the first two games, our defense has been very successful in forcing turnovers," Closson said. "We always preach 11 guys to the ball, and when we swarm to the ball, people are in position to make plays."
As for the Pioneers, they've started the season with two losses to Logan Elm (34-14) and Amanda-Clearcreek (24-0), so their schedule has been one of quality opponents in their first two games.
ZT is led by a trio of senior offensive players in Nate Mettler, Tyler Hinty and Colin Swackhamer. Mettler has 141 yards rushing in two games, while Hinty (the QB) has 114 yards on the ground and Swackhamer has bruised out 73 yards.
"I am very impressed with Zane Trace," Closson said. "They are very disciplined and typically play mistake free football."
[[In-content Ad]]Hillsboro (0-2) at Wilmington (0-2)
One team will earn their first win of the season following two straight losses to start the year when Hillsboro travels to face the Wilmington Hurricane at Williams Stadium, located on the campus of Wilmington College.
For the 'Cane, they have losses to the Washington Blue Lions and the Miami Trace Panthers, as they are facing their third team in a row from the South Central Ohio League.
Cody McCune, their quarterback, has 204 yards passing in two games, with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jerry Johns, a junior, leads the 'Cane in rushing with 170 yards in the first two games.
"Wilmington is athletic and has team speed," HHS head coach Matt Hodge said. "They attack on both sides of the ball and put pressure on an offense and defense."
HHS showed improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, but Hodge and his team want to win games, as that is their goal this season.
This season, HHS has losses to Western Brown (49-6) and the Goshen Warriors (25-12). The Indians have yet to score a point in the second half (four quarters).
"We made more plays (against Goshen), but we still aren't consistent enough on either side of the ball," Hodge said.
One player has begun to stand out for the Indians in '13, Jed Asmus, and that hasn't gone unnoticed to the head coach, either.
"Jed (Asmus) is becoming the leader of our defense,” Hodge said. "He is working extremely hard and has gotten better each week."
Last season the 'Cane defeated the Indians, 48-6 at Richards Memorial Field.
For more high school football, read “Forsha on Football: A high school football blog” online at highlandcountypress.com.
McClain (2-0) at Zane Trace (0-2)
For the second week in a row, the McClain Tigers will hit the road as they will face the Zane Trace Pioneers in a non-league matchup.
Last season, the Pioneers just beat the Tigers as the game came down to the final play, where the ZT defense stopped the Tigers from scoring a five-yard TD for a 17-12 loss. This year, MHS knows what they have to do.
"Zane Trace is a well-coached football team that plays very hard," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "We certainly remember last year's loss and know we will have to play a great game to get a victory."
For MHS this season, they have used their rushing attack to their advantage, totaling 652 yards in just two games, both wins. Closson knows his team must run the football to be successful.
"We are certainly running the ball very well and have several talented backs to carry the load," he said, "But, it all starts up front with the offensive line. It’s a great luxury to be able finish to games with a power run game."
For the Tigers defense headed into this game, they've been able to force multiple turnovers in their first two games against Adena and Unioto. Forcing turnovers is something the Tigers have been able to do well to contribute to their wins.
"Winning the turnover battle is key to winning, and in the first two games, our defense has been very successful in forcing turnovers," Closson said. "We always preach 11 guys to the ball, and when we swarm to the ball, people are in position to make plays."
As for the Pioneers, they've started the season with two losses to Logan Elm (34-14) and Amanda-Clearcreek (24-0), so their schedule has been one of quality opponents in their first two games.
ZT is led by a trio of senior offensive players in Nate Mettler, Tyler Hinty and Colin Swackhamer. Mettler has 141 yards rushing in two games, while Hinty (the QB) has 114 yards on the ground and Swackhamer has bruised out 73 yards.
"I am very impressed with Zane Trace," Closson said. "They are very disciplined and typically play mistake free football."
[[In-content Ad]]Hillsboro (0-2) at Wilmington (0-2)
One team will earn their first win of the season following two straight losses to start the year when Hillsboro travels to face the Wilmington Hurricane at Williams Stadium, located on the campus of Wilmington College.
For the 'Cane, they have losses to the Washington Blue Lions and the Miami Trace Panthers, as they are facing their third team in a row from the South Central Ohio League.
Cody McCune, their quarterback, has 204 yards passing in two games, with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jerry Johns, a junior, leads the 'Cane in rushing with 170 yards in the first two games.
"Wilmington is athletic and has team speed," HHS head coach Matt Hodge said. "They attack on both sides of the ball and put pressure on an offense and defense."
HHS showed improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, but Hodge and his team want to win games, as that is their goal this season.
This season, HHS has losses to Western Brown (49-6) and the Goshen Warriors (25-12). The Indians have yet to score a point in the second half (four quarters).
"We made more plays (against Goshen), but we still aren't consistent enough on either side of the ball," Hodge said.
One player has begun to stand out for the Indians in '13, Jed Asmus, and that hasn't gone unnoticed to the head coach, either.
"Jed (Asmus) is becoming the leader of our defense,” Hodge said. "He is working extremely hard and has gotten better each week."
Last season the 'Cane defeated the Indians, 48-6 at Richards Memorial Field.
For more high school football, read “Forsha on Football: A high school football blog” online at highlandcountypress.com.