Football Preview: Tigers want to rebound in Week 2
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — Last week is done and over for the McClain Tigers.
This is a new week for the Tigers, and their opponent will be the Unioto Shermans, as the Tigers have put last week behind them and are looking to a new challenge this Friday night.
Gaining just 50 offensive yards last week against Adena (23 rushing), the Tigers want to control the line of scrimmage, but it will be a test without senior guard Preston Wagner, who has a broken foot. To go with the injury, MHS will be looking to keep the pressure out of the backfield, something that didn't happen in the first week.
"We have to come off the ball," McClain coach Randy Closson said. "Our offensive line didn't maintain contact last week. We have to improve this week.
"It's a challenge (replacing Wagner), but the team has to rally around each other. We are going to need guys to pick up the slack and take over the spot."
As for Unioto, they were winners 35-14 over Vinton County in their season opener. They trailed by 14 points early but rallied back for 35 unanswered points.
One player for the Shermans to watch is running back Walker Liston, who scored on a 43-yard touchdown last week when he entered the game.
"They have a lot of seniors this year," Closson said of Unioto's experience. "They are solid up front and pretty athletic. Their tailback and quarterback stand out, and their offensive line comes off the ball. I was also impressed with their defensive line."
The Shermans (1-0) use a pistol set offensively. A pistol offensive set is a variation of a shotgun formation, with the running back lined up behind the quarterback, not beside the quarterback.
The quarterback for the Shermans is Storm Cottrill, who rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries (along with 49 passing yards) last week. Also gaining rushing yards for the Shermans was Janson Grim with 41 yards (12 carries).
In Week 1, the Tigers' defense allowed 341 rushing yards, including a 200-yard rusher.
"They (Unioto) like to run the ball more, but they will throw the ball," Closson said. "They throw the ball well when they need to."
Another hurdle the Tigers will face is the defense of the Shermans, as they allowed less than 20 yards in the final three quarters last week, along with the fact they have a tough defensive line.
On defense, Unioto will use a 5-2 and 5-3 look and will stunt their linebackers.
"Unioto won the line of scrimmage against Vinton County," Closson said. "Their offensive and defensive line play was solid."
As for the Tigers (0-1), Closson said his team has to fix and improve on some things before Friday night at Unioto.
"We just had a lot of errors," he said. "We must improve and get better.
"The kids have responded positively, rallied and have picked each other up."
To avoid starting the season with two straight losses, Closson said the Tigers will have to win the battle in the trenches and focus.
"We've told the team to focus, and we have to get better at focusing on who we are and just focus on ourselves," Closson said.
The Tigers and Shermans will kick off at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
This is a new week for the Tigers, and their opponent will be the Unioto Shermans, as the Tigers have put last week behind them and are looking to a new challenge this Friday night.
Gaining just 50 offensive yards last week against Adena (23 rushing), the Tigers want to control the line of scrimmage, but it will be a test without senior guard Preston Wagner, who has a broken foot. To go with the injury, MHS will be looking to keep the pressure out of the backfield, something that didn't happen in the first week.
"We have to come off the ball," McClain coach Randy Closson said. "Our offensive line didn't maintain contact last week. We have to improve this week.
"It's a challenge (replacing Wagner), but the team has to rally around each other. We are going to need guys to pick up the slack and take over the spot."
As for Unioto, they were winners 35-14 over Vinton County in their season opener. They trailed by 14 points early but rallied back for 35 unanswered points.
One player for the Shermans to watch is running back Walker Liston, who scored on a 43-yard touchdown last week when he entered the game.
"They have a lot of seniors this year," Closson said of Unioto's experience. "They are solid up front and pretty athletic. Their tailback and quarterback stand out, and their offensive line comes off the ball. I was also impressed with their defensive line."
The Shermans (1-0) use a pistol set offensively. A pistol offensive set is a variation of a shotgun formation, with the running back lined up behind the quarterback, not beside the quarterback.
The quarterback for the Shermans is Storm Cottrill, who rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries (along with 49 passing yards) last week. Also gaining rushing yards for the Shermans was Janson Grim with 41 yards (12 carries).
In Week 1, the Tigers' defense allowed 341 rushing yards, including a 200-yard rusher.
"They (Unioto) like to run the ball more, but they will throw the ball," Closson said. "They throw the ball well when they need to."
Another hurdle the Tigers will face is the defense of the Shermans, as they allowed less than 20 yards in the final three quarters last week, along with the fact they have a tough defensive line.
On defense, Unioto will use a 5-2 and 5-3 look and will stunt their linebackers.
"Unioto won the line of scrimmage against Vinton County," Closson said. "Their offensive and defensive line play was solid."
As for the Tigers (0-1), Closson said his team has to fix and improve on some things before Friday night at Unioto.
"We just had a lot of errors," he said. "We must improve and get better.
"The kids have responded positively, rallied and have picked each other up."
To avoid starting the season with two straight losses, Closson said the Tigers will have to win the battle in the trenches and focus.
"We've told the team to focus, and we have to get better at focusing on who we are and just focus on ourselves," Closson said.
The Tigers and Shermans will kick off at 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]