Loftis, Mace spark Tigers' win
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By JIM JONES-
The McClain Tigers opened up the 2009 season last Friday night with a convincing 46-20 victory over the Adena Warriors.
It was sweet revenge for the Tigers who lost a heartbreaker last year to the Warriors in double-overtime and it was also McClain’s first win over Adena since 2002.
“I think we struggled with some nerves in the first period or maybe it was just some first-game jitters; but after we got into the second quarter, our defense really sealed things down,” said McClain coach Randy Closson.
McClain trailed, 20-6, after one period of play, but came roaring back in the second quarter and outscored the Warriors, 33-0, and took a 39-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Tiger comeback was sparked by junior quarterback Jared Loftis, who was 7 for 9 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns; but even more impressive, he rushed for 175 yards on 18 carries and 3 touchdowns, including a 57-yard TD run in the opening period.
After spotting Adena the 20-6 advantage, McClain scored on a 14-yard touchdown run by Loftis to start the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 20-13 after Nick McNeal added the point-after kick.
Kameron Mace gave the ball back to the Tiger offense two plays later after intercepting a pass and returning in to the Warrior 14-yard line. Zack Mullikin ran for 7 yards before Loftis scored his third touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run and Luis Rivas converted the conversion kick tying the game 20-20.
The Tiger offense continued to click when Loftis found Mace open for a 33-yard touchdown catch and Rivas added the extra point pushing the McClain advantage to 33-20. Mace made his presence known again a few minutes later by recovering a fumble and Mullikin scored on the Tiger’s next offensive play on a 30-yard run as the first half came to and end with McClain leading 39-20.
Neither team could generate much offense in the second half except for a 4-yard touchdown run by Mullikin late in the third period, which was the icing on the cake as the McClain defense kept Adena in check the rest of the game.
“I’m so happy for our coaching staff, I thought we put a good game plan together and our kids bought into it,” said Closson “Our offensive line played very well tonight and Jared (Loftis) made some great decisions with our option package and I’m extremely pleased with the play of our kids in the second quarter.”
Besides Loftis having an outstanding game, Mace was just as spectacular with two fumble recoveries, an interception, and three catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Mullikin also had a fine all-around ballgame for McClain including 85 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.
McClain travels to Unioto High School Friday Sept. 4 to take on the Shermans in a non-league affair starting at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
It was sweet revenge for the Tigers who lost a heartbreaker last year to the Warriors in double-overtime and it was also McClain’s first win over Adena since 2002.
“I think we struggled with some nerves in the first period or maybe it was just some first-game jitters; but after we got into the second quarter, our defense really sealed things down,” said McClain coach Randy Closson.
McClain trailed, 20-6, after one period of play, but came roaring back in the second quarter and outscored the Warriors, 33-0, and took a 39-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Tiger comeback was sparked by junior quarterback Jared Loftis, who was 7 for 9 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns; but even more impressive, he rushed for 175 yards on 18 carries and 3 touchdowns, including a 57-yard TD run in the opening period.
After spotting Adena the 20-6 advantage, McClain scored on a 14-yard touchdown run by Loftis to start the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 20-13 after Nick McNeal added the point-after kick.
Kameron Mace gave the ball back to the Tiger offense two plays later after intercepting a pass and returning in to the Warrior 14-yard line. Zack Mullikin ran for 7 yards before Loftis scored his third touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run and Luis Rivas converted the conversion kick tying the game 20-20.
The Tiger offense continued to click when Loftis found Mace open for a 33-yard touchdown catch and Rivas added the extra point pushing the McClain advantage to 33-20. Mace made his presence known again a few minutes later by recovering a fumble and Mullikin scored on the Tiger’s next offensive play on a 30-yard run as the first half came to and end with McClain leading 39-20.
Neither team could generate much offense in the second half except for a 4-yard touchdown run by Mullikin late in the third period, which was the icing on the cake as the McClain defense kept Adena in check the rest of the game.
“I’m so happy for our coaching staff, I thought we put a good game plan together and our kids bought into it,” said Closson “Our offensive line played very well tonight and Jared (Loftis) made some great decisions with our option package and I’m extremely pleased with the play of our kids in the second quarter.”
Besides Loftis having an outstanding game, Mace was just as spectacular with two fumble recoveries, an interception, and three catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Mullikin also had a fine all-around ballgame for McClain including 85 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.
McClain travels to Unioto High School Friday Sept. 4 to take on the Shermans in a non-league affair starting at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]