Week 11 Football Preview: McClain Tigers facing Taft on the road in 2023 first-round state playoffs

For the first time ever — not including the 2020 COVID-19 playoffs — both the McClain Tigers and Hillsboro Indians will be playing in the Ohio high school football playoffs at the same time.

After a battle during last Friday’s Rotary Bowl between the two Highland County rivals, a 20-13 win by the McClain squad put them into the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs, while the Indians will be playing in Division III, Region 12.

McClain (No. 14) will be taking on Taft (No. 3) in their playoff game, while Hillsboro (No. 11) will be facing the No. 6 Celina Bulldogs.

Here is a look at McClain's game.

PLAYOFFS: DIVISION IV, REGION 16

MCCLAIN TIGERS (6-4) at TAFT SENATORS (8-2)

The McClain Tigers enter their first playoff game (not including the 2020 COVID-19 season, where all teams qualified) as a No. 14 seed, and they are traveling to Hamilton County in Cincinnati to take on the No. 3 seeded Taft Senators on Friday night, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

The Senators have won their past four games to end the regular season, defeating Hughes (45-7), Western Hills (61-0), Aiken (41-0) and Woodward (33-6).

Other wins this season for Taft include winning Weeks 1-2 and 4-5 against Pleasure Ridge Park (Ky.) by a 40-18 score, Reading (40-27), Meadowdale (44-6) and Purcell Marian (14-7).

The two losses for Taft in 2023 have been against DuPont Manual (Ky.) by a 24-8 score and Withrow (31-0), as that was their most recent loss coming on Sept. 23 in Week 6.

In ’23, Taft has outscored their opponents, 326-126, going 4-1 at home and 4-1 on the road. In home games this season, Taft has allowed just 43 points (five games) and have scored 191 points in those same five games.

Playing in the Cincinnati Metro Conference (Large Conference), Taft was second place with a 4-1 MCC record.

In Week 10, Taft quarterback Armoud Seals was 9-of-14 for 170 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception against Woodward. He also rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, averaging 11.6 yards per carry.

Also in that Week 10 win, Taft rusher Charles Hawkins totaled six carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 10.5 yards per carry.

Receiving, two players to watch for Taft are Jay’Quan Boston, who in Week 10 caught two passes for 40 yards, and Nijia Hill, who also had two receptions, totaling 65 yards and a touchdown in Week 10.

Defensively last Thursday (Oct. 19) in Week 10 for Taft, Tayshawn Banks totaled 2.5 sacks, 16 tackles and two tackles for loss. Also with 2.5 sacks was Taft’s Drayden Pavey, as he also had eight total tackles and two TFLs. Jahvion Jarman and Banks each had two interceptions in the 23-6 Week 10 victory.

McClain is coming off a Week 10 win over the Hillsboro Indians, putting them into the playoffs.

The Tigers held the Indians to just four first downs on offense, and the defensive effort also included Jayden Allison with five tackles and Cade Sponcil with 4.5 tackles.

Can Medley had one interception for McClain in week 10.

On offense for MHS, their regular-season finale victory included seeing senior running back Andrew Potts total 34 carries for 177 yards with three rushing touchdowns.

MHS quarterback Drake Stapleton had nine carries for 56 yards, and he was 5-of-15 passing for 79 yards. Owen Sykes caught a majority of those yards, having three receptions for 59 yards.

This season the Tigers are 6-4 overall, where they are 3-2 on the road and 3-2 at home. In all for the 2023 season, McClain has scored 219 points, while allowing 266 points.

In their road games, the Tigers had wins against Northwest (14-13), Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (27-25) and Chillicothe (20-17). Their road losses were against Paint Valley (29-15) and Jackson (62-14).

Those road games saw McClain score 90 points and allow 146.

Kickoff for McClain and Taft is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Stargel Stadium, located at 501 Ezzard Charles Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203.