Forsha's fearless football forecast

     With any football season, predictions will come and go. Some will be wrong. Some will be right, but mostly, it is just for fun. (Humor me, please.)

     In the past week or so, I've traveled to all seven South Central Ohio League schools, spent countless hours interviewing coaches and players about the upcoming season, watched practices, scrimmages and created (along with help from the staff of the HCP) an SCOL preview football tab.

     Since I've put more time in the past month covering the SCOL football preseason than I have spent sleeping or enjoying a social life, here are my "Dirty Dozen" predictions for the upcoming season.

     1. The SCOL will have a winning first week.

     With all seven teams playing non-league games, the league will go 6-1 in Week One. Four of the wins will be road wins, and two will come in home games for SCOL teams.

     2. Four SCOL teams will have at least six wins this year.

     One year ago, Clinton-Massie, Hillsboro and Washington were in the winners group. Barring any major issues, I see that happening again ­ plus one. I could be wrong. Because the league is very balanced ­ the most balanced in at least three years. My forecast for teams with at least six wins includes: Massie, London, Hillsboro, and Washington.

     3. No mud for away teams.

     I predict teams who play at Clinton-Massie this season won't get grass stains or muddy uniforms during games. Gotta love field turf.

     4. Sixth undefeated season will happen in SCOL since reformation in 2003.

     Yes, I am going out on a limb and saying the CM Falcons will stay undefeated in the SCOL for a third straight season and fourth time overall. They have so much depth and experience at the varsity level, I just can't say with a straight face they will lose in the SCOL or any regular season game this fall. Since 2005, the Falcons have two SCOL losses, and those happened in '06 and '07 (against WCH and MT.)

   Not to mention the Falcons are stacked in the backfield with 2,000-yard rusher Jordan Scanlon. And don¹t forget about Gunner Calhoun and Scott Wilkie. They also have some sizable offensive linemen, with three near or over 300 pounds.

     5. Two SCOL teams will challenge the Falcons.

     Though I just said they were going undefeated, I have a feeling CM won't run over every SCOL team. Against London last year, they injured QB Jeff Yates in the second quarter.

     If the Red Raiders can stay healthy with all the experience they have returning (along with a home game), they could make my previous prediction null and void.

     I also believe the Blue Lions can give the Falcons a game, but that will be a tall task, for the fact Massie will host the Blue Lions this season.

     I am still going with Massie in each game this season, but these two SCOL matchups intrigue me the most.

     6. Athletics trainers will be busy.

     This is an easy one, but already the league has two quarterbacks who had injuries to their shoulders in the offseason. One team has a running back with an arm cast up to his shoulder from a scrimmage, and tweaks to ankles are just a part of the game. Remember how important the athletic trainers are in all sports.

     7. More wins than losses for SCOL teams combined.

     My SCOL record is 38-32 overall. It's going to be teams beating the (stuff) out of one another each and every week. Some teams have tough non-league schedules, and that makes a difference. Last season, the SCOL was 41-29, and in 2008, the league was 31-39 in the regular season.

     8. The Blue Lions will break their losing streak against Miami Trace.

     Since 2003, the Panthers have beat the Blue Lions every way possible. It kind of reminds me of the Colts and Patriots rivalry, when the Pats beat the Colts each way possible. Until the time they didn't. This season the Blue Lions will finish the game in the fourth quarter and break the stranglehold of the Panthers. They are due, right?

     9. The SCOL will be a running back's dream land.

     This league is loaded with quality, above average and standout ball carriers.

     As mentioned before, the Falcons have three backs who are capable of busting loose for big yardage every snap.

     The Hillsboro Indians have seniors Matt Gallimore and Mason Hunick, who are both good athletes. London returns a big offensive line, and Jake Burns and Justin Hoosier (along with QB Jeff Yates) will benefit from that.

     The Tigers will eventually have former QB-turned-running back Jared Loftis, once he heals up. The Golden Eagles have Ryne Davis and Steve Lemieux.

     The Panthers will send Ethan Snyder, Trey Anderson and Travis McIntosh to the field in pursuit of tough yards. Plus, don¹t forget about the Washington tandem of Ben Parks and Riley Shaw.

     (Now it is time for some fun...)

     10. I will support the McClain Band boosters by purchasing their fish sandwich.

     Please, please, McClain band boosters, sell the fish sandwich. If not, I might have to find a new job. I'm not kidding. Getting into the game for free is one thing, but I look forward to the fish almost as much as I do the games. So ready for Week 2 against Unioto.

     11. The Hillsboro Indians have a tough schedule just by reading team nicknames.

     As we all know, the Indians will be road warriors with six away games this season, but by looking at their schedule, nicknames alone are enough to make a team cringe. On the road alone, they play two Blue Devils (neither one Duke), then will have to buck some Broncos. After that, they will try to crash a flock of Falcons, followed by a visit to see some Blue Lions and a hungry pack of Panthers in Fayette County.

     Not to mention the Indians will be seeing blue with Gallia Academy, Clinton-Massie, Washington and Zanesville on the schedule four of the first six weeks all on the road. All four teams wear blue.

     (Time to get serious...)

     12. The lyrics in the new Kenny Chesney song, "The Boys of Fall," will ring true.

     "When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass, I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads; Standing in the huddle listening to the call, Fans going crazy for the boys of fall."

   ­   "The Boys of Fall"

     No matter how many years have passed since the last time the jersey came off for the final time (2001 season), the memories of playing the great game of football are always be with me.

    I didn't play much, and I never scored a touchdown, but looking back, just being a part of the team was good enough for me.

    I hope all the players realize how special the game of football can be, and know how much I appreciate the effort they give week in, week out, no matter the score. (But winning is more fun.)

    The lessons I personally learned by playing the game (teamwork, battling adversity, and never losing sight of the big picture) are things that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. Don't take football Friday nights for granted. Enjoy the wins, feel and learn from the losses, because before we know it, that's it.

    Season over.

    Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.