Three years in the making
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Sports fans should know this by now, but if not, I'm going to let you in on a little secret … the McClain boys soccer team is pretty good at what they do.
We all know it is easier to watch and write about a team when they are winning, but this team and program itself deserves all the accolades that have come its way in recent years.
In fact, they have earned it.
This season was three years in the making.
A total of 32 different players have worn the McClain soccer jersey during at least one of their three consecutive South Central Ohio League championship seasons, with seven seniors from this year's squad who have been a part of all three Tiger teams that have won championships.
In those title runs, MHS has had SCOL records of 10-2, 10-0-2 and currently (as of Oct. 4) 9-0-1 with two SCOL matches remaining. That adds up to 29-2-3.
In fact, did you know Highland County has ruled the boys soccer season for seven straight years? The Hillsboro Indians won the previous four titles before the Tigers started their current streak.
Being there for all three times the Tigers have clinched a league championship, the scene has been similar … the Tigers prepare quietly in warmups, they break a team huddle before the actual game begins, then they go out and get the job done.
In fact, it has been said before, but they do actually take their championship seasons "one game at a time."
Let's take a look at the 2011 SCOL season of the Tigers …
Headed into their first SCOL match, head coach Shawn Jackson had these thoughts: "We are starting the SCOL early this year. We are going to have to be on our toes. We've had some competitive games with them in the past, and I expect (London) will come out and try to score on us early."
The result of that first SCOL match this season was a 13-3 win by the Tigers against the Red Raiders.
MHS followed that with a SCOL win over Madison-Plains, a tie against the Hillsboro Indians and a 4-2 away win against the Washington Blue Lions. This match was the second straight SCOL test for the Tigers, and though they were slow to start, they finished with another win.
"We started off flat again, but we played well overall," Jackson said after the Washington match. "We took over in the second half, but I would really like to see us get started off better in the first half … but the kids played well."
Later in the season, MHS went to 6-0-1 in the SCOL with another win over the Golden Eagles, this time a 9-0 victory at McClain Field, and this is the game where the Tigers played up to their ability for the entire 80 minutes.
"We played a very good game," Jackson said. "We had the opportunity to take a lot of shots, and our defense did very well. We played like we should play."
When the Tigers went to 7-0-1 in the SCOL, the win over the Hillsboro Indians was their biggest test of the season, but it was one of the, if not the most, competitive soccer matches of the season in all of Highland County and the surrounding area.
Entering the match, the scene was set with the aforementioned tie in their first meeting. The Indians were playing in a must-win match as they trailed the Tigers in the standings, and not to mention the teams are cross-county rivals.
Both teams didn't let down, and it is safe to say these two teams put on an back-and-forth match that if you were in attendance, it will not be soon forgotten. MHS led at halftime at 1-0, HHS tied, took the lead, but were unable to hold on against this Tiger team, with MHS earning a 4-2 win.
"We have been like this all year. We are the type of team when we get up a few goals, we let up, but when we get down, we turn into a whole different team," Jackson said after the HHS match. "Though I don't like it when we are down, nobody was going to give up. I'm proud of them … I'm proud of both teams."
After a couple more wins, the stage was set for a home match against the Washington Blue Lions, and again the Tigers dominated with a 6-1 win for their third straight league title.
In the ensuing moments after the Tigers won the SCOL title, they celebrated like a team should … not too much, but enough to know they accomplished a rare feat in high school sports. They rang their victory bell, hugged, jumped, posed for a couple photos and that was it.
That was it because they still have more on their mind.
Senior Jarred White said following the match: "From being the team expected to be in last place to winning three championships, we've come a long way."
This team still has goals they want to accomplish, and that type of focus and dedication is something we all can respect.
Maybe we all can learn to take it "one game at a time" like the Tigers have this and past seasons.
If this team has taught me anything, it is to never be satisfied, but be proud of your accomplishments.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]
We all know it is easier to watch and write about a team when they are winning, but this team and program itself deserves all the accolades that have come its way in recent years.
In fact, they have earned it.
This season was three years in the making.
A total of 32 different players have worn the McClain soccer jersey during at least one of their three consecutive South Central Ohio League championship seasons, with seven seniors from this year's squad who have been a part of all three Tiger teams that have won championships.
In those title runs, MHS has had SCOL records of 10-2, 10-0-2 and currently (as of Oct. 4) 9-0-1 with two SCOL matches remaining. That adds up to 29-2-3.
In fact, did you know Highland County has ruled the boys soccer season for seven straight years? The Hillsboro Indians won the previous four titles before the Tigers started their current streak.
Being there for all three times the Tigers have clinched a league championship, the scene has been similar … the Tigers prepare quietly in warmups, they break a team huddle before the actual game begins, then they go out and get the job done.
In fact, it has been said before, but they do actually take their championship seasons "one game at a time."
Let's take a look at the 2011 SCOL season of the Tigers …
Headed into their first SCOL match, head coach Shawn Jackson had these thoughts: "We are starting the SCOL early this year. We are going to have to be on our toes. We've had some competitive games with them in the past, and I expect (London) will come out and try to score on us early."
The result of that first SCOL match this season was a 13-3 win by the Tigers against the Red Raiders.
MHS followed that with a SCOL win over Madison-Plains, a tie against the Hillsboro Indians and a 4-2 away win against the Washington Blue Lions. This match was the second straight SCOL test for the Tigers, and though they were slow to start, they finished with another win.
"We started off flat again, but we played well overall," Jackson said after the Washington match. "We took over in the second half, but I would really like to see us get started off better in the first half … but the kids played well."
Later in the season, MHS went to 6-0-1 in the SCOL with another win over the Golden Eagles, this time a 9-0 victory at McClain Field, and this is the game where the Tigers played up to their ability for the entire 80 minutes.
"We played a very good game," Jackson said. "We had the opportunity to take a lot of shots, and our defense did very well. We played like we should play."
When the Tigers went to 7-0-1 in the SCOL, the win over the Hillsboro Indians was their biggest test of the season, but it was one of the, if not the most, competitive soccer matches of the season in all of Highland County and the surrounding area.
Entering the match, the scene was set with the aforementioned tie in their first meeting. The Indians were playing in a must-win match as they trailed the Tigers in the standings, and not to mention the teams are cross-county rivals.
Both teams didn't let down, and it is safe to say these two teams put on an back-and-forth match that if you were in attendance, it will not be soon forgotten. MHS led at halftime at 1-0, HHS tied, took the lead, but were unable to hold on against this Tiger team, with MHS earning a 4-2 win.
"We have been like this all year. We are the type of team when we get up a few goals, we let up, but when we get down, we turn into a whole different team," Jackson said after the HHS match. "Though I don't like it when we are down, nobody was going to give up. I'm proud of them … I'm proud of both teams."
After a couple more wins, the stage was set for a home match against the Washington Blue Lions, and again the Tigers dominated with a 6-1 win for their third straight league title.
In the ensuing moments after the Tigers won the SCOL title, they celebrated like a team should … not too much, but enough to know they accomplished a rare feat in high school sports. They rang their victory bell, hugged, jumped, posed for a couple photos and that was it.
That was it because they still have more on their mind.
Senior Jarred White said following the match: "From being the team expected to be in last place to winning three championships, we've come a long way."
This team still has goals they want to accomplish, and that type of focus and dedication is something we all can respect.
Maybe we all can learn to take it "one game at a time" like the Tigers have this and past seasons.
If this team has taught me anything, it is to never be satisfied, but be proud of your accomplishments.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]