Clinton-Massie Falcons: Can the Falcons repeat as SCOL champions for the 6th consecutive year?
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The talent level is high and the expectation level is even higher at Clinton-Massie as the 2011 season nears for the defending five-time South Central Ohio League champions.
They enter the season with a 32-game regular-season winning streak (last losing in Week 8 to Washington 35-34 in '07), along with a senior class that is 30-0 in that regular-season stretch.
In the '10 regular season (10-0, 6-0), CM scored 545 points, allowing just 72 points to be scored against them. In '10, CM had four shutouts and also held opponents to seven points four times. In 10 regular-season games, the Falcons held their opponents to seven or fewer points on eight occasions.
The goals for CM go beyond winning their sixth straight SCOL title, which is high on the list of goals. Their goal is not to just make the playoffs, and not to win a playoff game … no, this team wants to win the Region 16 title and earn a spot in the Division IV State Final Four and go from there.
Yes, the expectations for the team out of Clarksville are very high.
"We're not even thinking about that (winning streaks)," CM head coach Dan McSurley said. "I don't talk about it, the kids don't talk about it … we play week by week. We just want to focus on us and getting better. We certainly want to prepare each week for our opponent, but as far as any streak goes, we don't talk about it."
Getting to that point, the Falcons will look to a new group to lead the way, losing 17 seniors (11 starters) from last season, including all of their "skill" positions on offense and defense.
"We lost a heck of a class from last year. We graduated 17 seniors, including all of our skill players, but we do have a nice core of linemen returning," McSurley said. "Our secondary will be much improved, we have a couple real nice senior linebackers and a couple senior defensive ends. So, if we get four or five guys to step up on the defensive side of the ball and our running backs and quarterback keep developing, I think we can have a real nice season."
Quarterbacking the Falcons in '11 will be junior Tyler Uetrecht (6-0, 175). At fullback will be junior Wyatt Running, who last season had 24 carries for 222 yards (9.25 ypc) and three touchdowns. His longest run was for 58 yards.
Also running the ball will be senior Wes Clutter (5-9, 180) and sophomore Bayle Wolf (6-0, 170), who McSurley said will open a lot of eyes the season.
"They didn't get much varsity time in the backfield last season, but they did get varsity playing time," McSurley said.
One difference for the Falcons offense for the '11 season is their size in the backfield. Last year they had players who weighed 200 pounds or more in the backfield, including Jordan Scanlon (who rushed for back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons) and Gunner Calhoun.
"The guys this year are more explosive, they are quicker, and the key to our offense this year is these guys are going to have to work in unison and tandem," McSurley said. "Last year, Jordy was the guy. He got the ball 25 to 30 times a game, but this year, we won't be that kind of team.
"This year's team is going to be a more balanced wishbone where we are going to try to get five guys the ball 15 times a game."
The rebuilding of the Falcon offense is exciting for the Falcon staff for the simple reason there are some unknowns headed into the season.
"The unknown factor there. We had a group of kids who had their time, and now this group of kids are going to make a name for themselves. This gives them their chance to establish themselves to make a new team … a new era of Clinton-Massie football.
"For a football coach, it's exciting to see the potential that is there and to see the opportunity, again, to be a good offensive ball club."
Speaking of the revamped offense, one of the common factors from last season is the offensive line, where four players who had varsity time are returning to the trenches. The offensive line will consist of seniors Jared Salisbury, Jimmy Singleton and juniors Jake Weaver and George Phillips and sophomore A.J. Avery. Tight ends are senior Brad Burgess and junior Trent Smart, who played center last season.
"Both tight ends are very nice, and our two guards are as good as you will find anywhere," McSurley said. "We also have three other talented kids on the line."
Another returning player is senior kicker Geramie Dart, who led the state in points scored by a kicker in '10. McSurley said if the Falcons can even come close to scoring with the offensive production of last year, he'll have the chance to be in the top two or three possibly all-time in points scored by a kicker. Last season Dart had 76 total points, 73 from PATs and one field goal.
"He came out as a 100-pound freshman, and we just gave him the spot. He kept getting better, better and better, and he's probably one of the more talented kickers in the area," McSurley said.
Also, the coaching will be no different for the Falcons this year. When asked if the coaching would be different due to the new starters, McSurley said, "Absolutely not."
"It's the same thing … these guys are at the point where they coach themselves," McSurley said. "They know what they are doing, and it's been scripted out for the past 16 years. We provide the motivation and leadership, but these kids know exactly what we're trying to do as a ball club and as a coaching staff."
For a team to be able to do that, the leadership and maturity on the football field must be not only high, but second to none.
"They've been in some big games. They've been in some of the biggest games in school history, so they know how close they are to maybe taking it to the next level," McSurley said. "They've had the experience of facing some of the best teams."
One of those teams they faced in the playoffs was Kenton, who was the No. 1 passing team in the country. CM has reached the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.
"We played the No. 1 passing team in the United States of America, so these guys know what they are up against," McSurley said. "We know we are 'the game' for everyone on our schedule. We know every team that we play, we are their game, and they will give us everything they got. So we have to stay a step ahead of the fray and just keep working hard."
In facing not only some of the toughest teams in the area, but in the state, the Falcons know their defense must produce.
One of the returning defensive members is Clutter, who started every game as a sophomore at linebacker. Though the Falcons lost two linebackers from a year ago, Smart is moving to a linebacker spot, replacing Calhoun. Defensive ends are Burgess and sophomore Austin Florea. Some of the defensive linemen are junior Duane Sowers, senior Zach Hansford and Wolf.
The returning defensive backs are senior Tyler Davis, junior JD Curtsinger, junior Travis Daugherty and senior Dillon Davis.
"Our secondary is returning. We have two safeties who are talented, and we have two corners who are back from last year, our outside linebacker is back," McSurley said. "We could use some of our bigger guys on the defensive line, but that isn't our game because we like to keep our linemen fresh. If everyone can gel, our defense will be solid."
Meshing younger players with the more experienced players is nothing new to the Falcon program, as each year they've had to replace players from championship teams, that in return win championships of their own.
"You are only as good as your senior leadership, I've always believed that. We've had senior classes with five or with 17. This year we have 11," McSurley said. "I think it all comes down to the senior class, and they do not want to be the class that takes this program backwards. It's a pride thing with the seniors.
"As long as those guys are showing the leadership, those juniors understand 'OK, well it's my turn.' It's more of a tradition thing where the classes don't want to let the program slip or take a step back."
With the leadership, expectations and talent in Clarksville, the goals are high for this Falcon team as the program has not only reached the playoffs the past 10 seasons, but has reached the regional finals three of those seasons, and this group wants to not only get back to that level, but exceed it.
"We want to win the league. It's nice for the school and nice for the program, but after that, we've been in the playoffs for the past 10 years. It's nice making the playoffs, a lot of teams don't have that opportunity, but that's no longer one of our goals," McSurley said. "Our goal is to win Region 16. We lost to two state champions and to a state runner-up team.
"We know we have the chance to reach the regional championship game again this year, but we want to win it. So that is our biggest goal right now."
McSurley said this has been one of the better offseasons for his squad.
"It seems like it is a blur. It goes quick, but I will say this is probably one of the best offseason conditionings we've ever had. We've had 60-70 kids, and we are to the point now where if kids don't come in and work in the offseason and if they don't put all the time in the weight room and speed camps, they know they are going to have a hard time playing for this team," McSurley said. "That motivates them, and quite honestly, if they don't do that, they won't play."
CM opens the 2011 season on Friday, Aug. 26 against Blanchester.[[In-content Ad]]
They enter the season with a 32-game regular-season winning streak (last losing in Week 8 to Washington 35-34 in '07), along with a senior class that is 30-0 in that regular-season stretch.
In the '10 regular season (10-0, 6-0), CM scored 545 points, allowing just 72 points to be scored against them. In '10, CM had four shutouts and also held opponents to seven points four times. In 10 regular-season games, the Falcons held their opponents to seven or fewer points on eight occasions.
The goals for CM go beyond winning their sixth straight SCOL title, which is high on the list of goals. Their goal is not to just make the playoffs, and not to win a playoff game … no, this team wants to win the Region 16 title and earn a spot in the Division IV State Final Four and go from there.
Yes, the expectations for the team out of Clarksville are very high.
"We're not even thinking about that (winning streaks)," CM head coach Dan McSurley said. "I don't talk about it, the kids don't talk about it … we play week by week. We just want to focus on us and getting better. We certainly want to prepare each week for our opponent, but as far as any streak goes, we don't talk about it."
Getting to that point, the Falcons will look to a new group to lead the way, losing 17 seniors (11 starters) from last season, including all of their "skill" positions on offense and defense.
"We lost a heck of a class from last year. We graduated 17 seniors, including all of our skill players, but we do have a nice core of linemen returning," McSurley said. "Our secondary will be much improved, we have a couple real nice senior linebackers and a couple senior defensive ends. So, if we get four or five guys to step up on the defensive side of the ball and our running backs and quarterback keep developing, I think we can have a real nice season."
Quarterbacking the Falcons in '11 will be junior Tyler Uetrecht (6-0, 175). At fullback will be junior Wyatt Running, who last season had 24 carries for 222 yards (9.25 ypc) and three touchdowns. His longest run was for 58 yards.
Also running the ball will be senior Wes Clutter (5-9, 180) and sophomore Bayle Wolf (6-0, 170), who McSurley said will open a lot of eyes the season.
"They didn't get much varsity time in the backfield last season, but they did get varsity playing time," McSurley said.
One difference for the Falcons offense for the '11 season is their size in the backfield. Last year they had players who weighed 200 pounds or more in the backfield, including Jordan Scanlon (who rushed for back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons) and Gunner Calhoun.
"The guys this year are more explosive, they are quicker, and the key to our offense this year is these guys are going to have to work in unison and tandem," McSurley said. "Last year, Jordy was the guy. He got the ball 25 to 30 times a game, but this year, we won't be that kind of team.
"This year's team is going to be a more balanced wishbone where we are going to try to get five guys the ball 15 times a game."
The rebuilding of the Falcon offense is exciting for the Falcon staff for the simple reason there are some unknowns headed into the season.
"The unknown factor there. We had a group of kids who had their time, and now this group of kids are going to make a name for themselves. This gives them their chance to establish themselves to make a new team … a new era of Clinton-Massie football.
"For a football coach, it's exciting to see the potential that is there and to see the opportunity, again, to be a good offensive ball club."
Speaking of the revamped offense, one of the common factors from last season is the offensive line, where four players who had varsity time are returning to the trenches. The offensive line will consist of seniors Jared Salisbury, Jimmy Singleton and juniors Jake Weaver and George Phillips and sophomore A.J. Avery. Tight ends are senior Brad Burgess and junior Trent Smart, who played center last season.
"Both tight ends are very nice, and our two guards are as good as you will find anywhere," McSurley said. "We also have three other talented kids on the line."
Another returning player is senior kicker Geramie Dart, who led the state in points scored by a kicker in '10. McSurley said if the Falcons can even come close to scoring with the offensive production of last year, he'll have the chance to be in the top two or three possibly all-time in points scored by a kicker. Last season Dart had 76 total points, 73 from PATs and one field goal.
"He came out as a 100-pound freshman, and we just gave him the spot. He kept getting better, better and better, and he's probably one of the more talented kickers in the area," McSurley said.
Also, the coaching will be no different for the Falcons this year. When asked if the coaching would be different due to the new starters, McSurley said, "Absolutely not."
"It's the same thing … these guys are at the point where they coach themselves," McSurley said. "They know what they are doing, and it's been scripted out for the past 16 years. We provide the motivation and leadership, but these kids know exactly what we're trying to do as a ball club and as a coaching staff."
For a team to be able to do that, the leadership and maturity on the football field must be not only high, but second to none.
"They've been in some big games. They've been in some of the biggest games in school history, so they know how close they are to maybe taking it to the next level," McSurley said. "They've had the experience of facing some of the best teams."
One of those teams they faced in the playoffs was Kenton, who was the No. 1 passing team in the country. CM has reached the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.
"We played the No. 1 passing team in the United States of America, so these guys know what they are up against," McSurley said. "We know we are 'the game' for everyone on our schedule. We know every team that we play, we are their game, and they will give us everything they got. So we have to stay a step ahead of the fray and just keep working hard."
In facing not only some of the toughest teams in the area, but in the state, the Falcons know their defense must produce.
One of the returning defensive members is Clutter, who started every game as a sophomore at linebacker. Though the Falcons lost two linebackers from a year ago, Smart is moving to a linebacker spot, replacing Calhoun. Defensive ends are Burgess and sophomore Austin Florea. Some of the defensive linemen are junior Duane Sowers, senior Zach Hansford and Wolf.
The returning defensive backs are senior Tyler Davis, junior JD Curtsinger, junior Travis Daugherty and senior Dillon Davis.
"Our secondary is returning. We have two safeties who are talented, and we have two corners who are back from last year, our outside linebacker is back," McSurley said. "We could use some of our bigger guys on the defensive line, but that isn't our game because we like to keep our linemen fresh. If everyone can gel, our defense will be solid."
Meshing younger players with the more experienced players is nothing new to the Falcon program, as each year they've had to replace players from championship teams, that in return win championships of their own.
"You are only as good as your senior leadership, I've always believed that. We've had senior classes with five or with 17. This year we have 11," McSurley said. "I think it all comes down to the senior class, and they do not want to be the class that takes this program backwards. It's a pride thing with the seniors.
"As long as those guys are showing the leadership, those juniors understand 'OK, well it's my turn.' It's more of a tradition thing where the classes don't want to let the program slip or take a step back."
With the leadership, expectations and talent in Clarksville, the goals are high for this Falcon team as the program has not only reached the playoffs the past 10 seasons, but has reached the regional finals three of those seasons, and this group wants to not only get back to that level, but exceed it.
"We want to win the league. It's nice for the school and nice for the program, but after that, we've been in the playoffs for the past 10 years. It's nice making the playoffs, a lot of teams don't have that opportunity, but that's no longer one of our goals," McSurley said. "Our goal is to win Region 16. We lost to two state champions and to a state runner-up team.
"We know we have the chance to reach the regional championship game again this year, but we want to win it. So that is our biggest goal right now."
McSurley said this has been one of the better offseasons for his squad.
"It seems like it is a blur. It goes quick, but I will say this is probably one of the best offseason conditionings we've ever had. We've had 60-70 kids, and we are to the point now where if kids don't come in and work in the offseason and if they don't put all the time in the weight room and speed camps, they know they are going to have a hard time playing for this team," McSurley said. "That motivates them, and quite honestly, if they don't do that, they won't play."
CM opens the 2011 season on Friday, Aug. 26 against Blanchester.[[In-content Ad]]