High School Football Preview Week 8: Tigers looking for 5th win
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
For the first time this season, the McClain Tigers have suffered back-to-back losses. This week, they try to get back in the mix of things in the South Central Ohio League standings.
The opposition will be the Miami Trace Panthers, as MHS embarks on a three-game road trip to wrap up the 2010 season.
Last week, the Tigers were defeated by the now-No. 1 team in the Associated Press Division IV poll, Clinton-Massie, 63-7 at McClain Field. MT lost to the London Red Raiders, 53-15 in Week 7.
"They like to run the base four man, sometimes a base five man front on defense," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "They want to get the momentum and will bring the pressure on the outside, too."
Though MT is 1-6 overall, Closson said they are a team full of talent.
"They have a lot of strengths," he said. "Talent at the quarterback position, two good running backs, and a solid defense. They will be a great challenge for us.
"They are hungry for a win. We are in the same boat, we want to get back on the winning side."
The QB for MT is Tucker Hughes, who was a pitcher for the American Legion Post 129 baseball team this past summer.
"They run a pro-I set and will use variations out of the basic I," Closson said. "Their QB is good, throws a nice deep ball and they use play action well to reel you in and stretch the field out."
This season, MT has allowed 267 points and scored 132 with a 1-2 SCOL mark. MHS is 1-3 in the SCOL and 4-3 overall. In seven games, MHS has scored 165 points, while allowing 206.
MHS fullback and defensive back Jared Loftis should return this week after missing last week's game, according to Closson. He also said while not having players in the line isn't ideal, it does give others on the team an opportunity to step up when needed.
"When players are out, it calls on people to step up who may have not been in certain situations before," he said. "It's exciting to see people step up when called upon."
Playing a team like CM last week can be used as a learning experience for the players and the coaches.
"It shows you the strengths you have," Closson said by playing a team like Clinton-Massie. “You want your kids to be the best and see where they are at compared to everyone else. You can't rest on what you've accomplished so far. You want to see where and how far you can go."
The Tigers and Panthers will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at MTHS.[[In-content Ad]]
The opposition will be the Miami Trace Panthers, as MHS embarks on a three-game road trip to wrap up the 2010 season.
Last week, the Tigers were defeated by the now-No. 1 team in the Associated Press Division IV poll, Clinton-Massie, 63-7 at McClain Field. MT lost to the London Red Raiders, 53-15 in Week 7.
"They like to run the base four man, sometimes a base five man front on defense," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "They want to get the momentum and will bring the pressure on the outside, too."
Though MT is 1-6 overall, Closson said they are a team full of talent.
"They have a lot of strengths," he said. "Talent at the quarterback position, two good running backs, and a solid defense. They will be a great challenge for us.
"They are hungry for a win. We are in the same boat, we want to get back on the winning side."
The QB for MT is Tucker Hughes, who was a pitcher for the American Legion Post 129 baseball team this past summer.
"They run a pro-I set and will use variations out of the basic I," Closson said. "Their QB is good, throws a nice deep ball and they use play action well to reel you in and stretch the field out."
This season, MT has allowed 267 points and scored 132 with a 1-2 SCOL mark. MHS is 1-3 in the SCOL and 4-3 overall. In seven games, MHS has scored 165 points, while allowing 206.
MHS fullback and defensive back Jared Loftis should return this week after missing last week's game, according to Closson. He also said while not having players in the line isn't ideal, it does give others on the team an opportunity to step up when needed.
"When players are out, it calls on people to step up who may have not been in certain situations before," he said. "It's exciting to see people step up when called upon."
Playing a team like CM last week can be used as a learning experience for the players and the coaches.
"It shows you the strengths you have," Closson said by playing a team like Clinton-Massie. “You want your kids to be the best and see where they are at compared to everyone else. You can't rest on what you've accomplished so far. You want to see where and how far you can go."
The Tigers and Panthers will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at MTHS.[[In-content Ad]]