SCOL Football Notebook: Getting to know the Astros
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This is the perfect time to get to know a future member of the South Central Ohio League family, so on Thursday I drove to Lees Creek on Day 4 of my high school football tour and visited with East Clinton coaches and players. I also took a look around their football stadium and practice area, since it was the first time I've ever been to the home of the Astros, and enjoyed my experience.
Maybe some of you didn't know or some of you already figured it out, but the Astros have won three consecutive SBAAC (Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference) football titles, and they want to leave the conference with the rare four-peat as conference champs.
In '10, they reached the Division IV playoffs, and for an opportunity to repeat that feat, they were practicing in the 96-degree (probably hotter) heat on Thursday mid-afternoon. The Astros finished the '10 season (including playoffs) at 8-3 overall. In the regular season, they lost to Waynesville (31-16) and Clinton-Massie (54-0). In the playoffs, EC lost to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (21-20). Their regular-season losses came on Week 1 and Week 10, so they did win eight straight games to reach the playoffs.
The current senior class wants to leave their mark on the SBAAC one final time as the five seniors I spoke with said they want that last championship for the sweep, as they have mostly been on the varsity team since their freshman year of high school.
The group told me all the hard work and effort during two-a-days in the heat, along with all the work they did in the weight room, is worth it for the feeling they get on Friday nights in the regular season.
The offseason described by EC head coach Matt Hodge (sixth season) was described as "good." Hodge said even though his players participate in other sports at East Clinton, they got in the weight room when they weren't involved with other things.
After chatting for a few minutes with Coach Hodge and five of his seniors, I watched some of the practice, and what I enjoyed is one of the parts of football that is often overlooked ... and that is kickoff coverage practice.
For some it can be boring, but having a good kickoff coverage is an art, and sometimes it is a lost art in the game of football.
Having a good special teams unit can make a huge difference in a game, especially with field position. Watching the angles players take to the ball carrier during a kickoff coverage (or punt coverage) can be entertaining and educational. It was interesting to watch each EC ball carrier in the practice put on their best Barry Sanders impression with the stops, jukes and I even saw a couple of stiff-arms. Through all the heat (it was really hot Thursday) and even all the running (each player on the team was taking part in the drill), you could still tell they were having fun.
At least it looked fun.
Isn't that what two-a-days are about? Team bonding and learning, though I must admit … how they stand this heat this week is beyond me. I was thinking back and I can't remember if it was this hot 10 years ago when I last took part in a two-a-day practice, but if it wasn't, maybe that global warming thing is real … who knows?
Here are some other facts about the Astros that will help you along this fall because they will be playing some of the league's teams this regular season (and in some scrimmages) in non-league games.
• EC will have 12 seniors this season.
• The best way to describe the Astros' defense is aggressive. The defense will return their two leading tacklers from last season.
• Offensively … the best way to describe the Astros is variety.
• Another word to describe the Astros on offense is balanced.
• Get to know senior Matt Blackburn the Astros' middle linebacker and full back. Hodge described Blackburn's offseason as "great." I was told he joined the 1,000-pound club with his efforts in the weight room this offseason. He was also described as dedicated.
• EC has gained strength this offseason.
• EC will scrimmage the Washington Blue Lions and Madison-Plains Golden Eagles this preseason. In the regular season, they will face McClain (Week 3) and Clinton-Massie (Week 10).
Quote from the coach
"We have a good relationship with the conference that we are in. I know a lot of the coaches in the SCOL, and I'm sure there will be a lot of good relationships there as well." — Matt Hodge, EC head coach on the final year in the SBAAC and joining the SCOL in '12.
(Another) Quote from the coach
"(McClain) will be a great game for us. They are always tough, and they are a good physical football team. We will have our work cut out for us." — Matt Hodge, EC head coach on facing SCOL teams this season in non-league games.
With this being my fourth trip to a high school football practice in as many days, I can say this is still as much fun (OK, even more) as I thought it would be, along with being a good learning experience by meeting new teams and players.
Thanks to the East Clinton program for allowing me to visit durning this busy time of year.
Come back to the HCP website this weekend and there will be a couple more high school football notebooks waiting for you. Thanks for reading.
Remember to get a copy of the 2011 Highland County Press high school football preview that will be released before the start of the regular season.[[In-content Ad]]
Maybe some of you didn't know or some of you already figured it out, but the Astros have won three consecutive SBAAC (Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference) football titles, and they want to leave the conference with the rare four-peat as conference champs.
In '10, they reached the Division IV playoffs, and for an opportunity to repeat that feat, they were practicing in the 96-degree (probably hotter) heat on Thursday mid-afternoon. The Astros finished the '10 season (including playoffs) at 8-3 overall. In the regular season, they lost to Waynesville (31-16) and Clinton-Massie (54-0). In the playoffs, EC lost to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (21-20). Their regular-season losses came on Week 1 and Week 10, so they did win eight straight games to reach the playoffs.
The current senior class wants to leave their mark on the SBAAC one final time as the five seniors I spoke with said they want that last championship for the sweep, as they have mostly been on the varsity team since their freshman year of high school.
The group told me all the hard work and effort during two-a-days in the heat, along with all the work they did in the weight room, is worth it for the feeling they get on Friday nights in the regular season.
The offseason described by EC head coach Matt Hodge (sixth season) was described as "good." Hodge said even though his players participate in other sports at East Clinton, they got in the weight room when they weren't involved with other things.
After chatting for a few minutes with Coach Hodge and five of his seniors, I watched some of the practice, and what I enjoyed is one of the parts of football that is often overlooked ... and that is kickoff coverage practice.
For some it can be boring, but having a good kickoff coverage is an art, and sometimes it is a lost art in the game of football.
Having a good special teams unit can make a huge difference in a game, especially with field position. Watching the angles players take to the ball carrier during a kickoff coverage (or punt coverage) can be entertaining and educational. It was interesting to watch each EC ball carrier in the practice put on their best Barry Sanders impression with the stops, jukes and I even saw a couple of stiff-arms. Through all the heat (it was really hot Thursday) and even all the running (each player on the team was taking part in the drill), you could still tell they were having fun.
At least it looked fun.
Isn't that what two-a-days are about? Team bonding and learning, though I must admit … how they stand this heat this week is beyond me. I was thinking back and I can't remember if it was this hot 10 years ago when I last took part in a two-a-day practice, but if it wasn't, maybe that global warming thing is real … who knows?
Here are some other facts about the Astros that will help you along this fall because they will be playing some of the league's teams this regular season (and in some scrimmages) in non-league games.
• EC will have 12 seniors this season.
• The best way to describe the Astros' defense is aggressive. The defense will return their two leading tacklers from last season.
• Offensively … the best way to describe the Astros is variety.
• Another word to describe the Astros on offense is balanced.
• Get to know senior Matt Blackburn the Astros' middle linebacker and full back. Hodge described Blackburn's offseason as "great." I was told he joined the 1,000-pound club with his efforts in the weight room this offseason. He was also described as dedicated.
• EC has gained strength this offseason.
• EC will scrimmage the Washington Blue Lions and Madison-Plains Golden Eagles this preseason. In the regular season, they will face McClain (Week 3) and Clinton-Massie (Week 10).
Quote from the coach
"We have a good relationship with the conference that we are in. I know a lot of the coaches in the SCOL, and I'm sure there will be a lot of good relationships there as well." — Matt Hodge, EC head coach on the final year in the SBAAC and joining the SCOL in '12.
(Another) Quote from the coach
"(McClain) will be a great game for us. They are always tough, and they are a good physical football team. We will have our work cut out for us." — Matt Hodge, EC head coach on facing SCOL teams this season in non-league games.
With this being my fourth trip to a high school football practice in as many days, I can say this is still as much fun (OK, even more) as I thought it would be, along with being a good learning experience by meeting new teams and players.
Thanks to the East Clinton program for allowing me to visit durning this busy time of year.
Come back to the HCP website this weekend and there will be a couple more high school football notebooks waiting for you. Thanks for reading.
Remember to get a copy of the 2011 Highland County Press high school football preview that will be released before the start of the regular season.[[In-content Ad]]