'11 Rotary Bowl Preview: Indians, Tigers meet for annual rivalry game
Lead Summary

By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Week 10 has arrived in the high school football season, which means one thing for football fans of Highland County … it is time for the '11 version of The Rotary Bowl, with the Hillsboro Indians visiting the McClain Tigers at McClain Field this Friday.
This season hasn't been the best for either team as they each enter the game at 1-8 overall, with one combined South Central Ohio League win between them. That win was a Week 7 win by the Indians over the Madison-Plains Golden Eagles.
None of that matters, as each coach said this week, with this game being about more than what the overall records are when it comes to these Highland County rivals facing each other.
"This is just an exciting game to be a part of," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "It's a good way to end the season, and regardless of what the records are, this will be a good way for both teams to end the season."
Spicer also said to throw the records out the window.
"You don't have to do a whole lot to remind our guys of who we are playing this week," Spicer said. "Throw the records away, and with this game, nothing else matters. Both teams just want to play their best."
The Indians will enter Greenfield on a two-game losing streak with consecutive losses to the London Red Raiders and Miami Trace Panthers by a combined score of 100-14.
The Tigers welcome the Indians as they return home following a loss to the Greenville Green Wave in Week 9, as they last won a game against Unioto in Week 2.
"Both teams are similar," Spicer said. "We've made similar mistakes this year. If you see them on film, you can just see they (MHS) play hard. They have a few good skill players, and just like us, they have battled injuries.
"Up front, we are both young, and it will be interesting to see how we play against each other and who wins the battle up front. It will be interesting to see who controls the line of scrimmage."
Closson also spoke well of the Indians.
"They (HHS) will pose a challenge with their offensive formations, and we'll have to check our rules and assignments against them," Closson said. "They have some good athletes, and their quarterback and tailback are capable of breaking big runs.
"I'm impressed with their linebackers’ play. They are disruptive to a run game."
Following last week's loss against the Green Wave, Closson said he saw improvement in the offense.
"The offensive line play was better than in previous weeks as they continue to improve on their abilities," Closson said. "Our running backs did a nice job, and all we can ask for is for everyone to give their best effort and play to the best of their abilities."
Spicer said last week's loss was a tough loss, and his squad does need to do some things better this week if they want to capture Rotary Bowl trophy.
"We played well in the first half. We did a lot of good things. Like I tell the guys, football is a game of averages, not absolutes," Spicer said. "Then in the second half … that was not the case.
"We've emphasized we played well with Miami Trace for a half, and we know we are capable of playing well for 24 minutes at a high level; now we have to play more than that and play at a high level for an entire game."
Closson had some final thoughts headed into the last game of the season, as the Tigers will look to maintain possession of the Rotary Bowl in Greenfield.
"It will be senior night, and it will be good to see them all recognized," Closson said. "This game and night is important to our program, and we want to go into the offseason on a positive note."
Spicer also had some final thoughts headed into the cross-county rivalry.
"We didn't want to lose last year. It's an intense game, and nobody wants to give up the trophy," Spicer said. "The seniors want it back … they are hungry and want to leave the field with it.
"It's been a rough year, and headed into the season, we knew it would be as we were still adding players to the roster in late August. We are proud of some things we've accomplished. Sometimes we get caught up in wins and losses, but from the first practice up to this point we've improved, and that's all we can ask for."[[In-content Ad]]
This season hasn't been the best for either team as they each enter the game at 1-8 overall, with one combined South Central Ohio League win between them. That win was a Week 7 win by the Indians over the Madison-Plains Golden Eagles.
None of that matters, as each coach said this week, with this game being about more than what the overall records are when it comes to these Highland County rivals facing each other.
"This is just an exciting game to be a part of," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "It's a good way to end the season, and regardless of what the records are, this will be a good way for both teams to end the season."
Spicer also said to throw the records out the window.
"You don't have to do a whole lot to remind our guys of who we are playing this week," Spicer said. "Throw the records away, and with this game, nothing else matters. Both teams just want to play their best."
The Indians will enter Greenfield on a two-game losing streak with consecutive losses to the London Red Raiders and Miami Trace Panthers by a combined score of 100-14.
The Tigers welcome the Indians as they return home following a loss to the Greenville Green Wave in Week 9, as they last won a game against Unioto in Week 2.
"Both teams are similar," Spicer said. "We've made similar mistakes this year. If you see them on film, you can just see they (MHS) play hard. They have a few good skill players, and just like us, they have battled injuries.
"Up front, we are both young, and it will be interesting to see how we play against each other and who wins the battle up front. It will be interesting to see who controls the line of scrimmage."
Closson also spoke well of the Indians.
"They (HHS) will pose a challenge with their offensive formations, and we'll have to check our rules and assignments against them," Closson said. "They have some good athletes, and their quarterback and tailback are capable of breaking big runs.
"I'm impressed with their linebackers’ play. They are disruptive to a run game."
Following last week's loss against the Green Wave, Closson said he saw improvement in the offense.
"The offensive line play was better than in previous weeks as they continue to improve on their abilities," Closson said. "Our running backs did a nice job, and all we can ask for is for everyone to give their best effort and play to the best of their abilities."
Spicer said last week's loss was a tough loss, and his squad does need to do some things better this week if they want to capture Rotary Bowl trophy.
"We played well in the first half. We did a lot of good things. Like I tell the guys, football is a game of averages, not absolutes," Spicer said. "Then in the second half … that was not the case.
"We've emphasized we played well with Miami Trace for a half, and we know we are capable of playing well for 24 minutes at a high level; now we have to play more than that and play at a high level for an entire game."
Closson had some final thoughts headed into the last game of the season, as the Tigers will look to maintain possession of the Rotary Bowl in Greenfield.
"It will be senior night, and it will be good to see them all recognized," Closson said. "This game and night is important to our program, and we want to go into the offseason on a positive note."
Spicer also had some final thoughts headed into the cross-county rivalry.
"We didn't want to lose last year. It's an intense game, and nobody wants to give up the trophy," Spicer said. "The seniors want it back … they are hungry and want to leave the field with it.
"It's been a rough year, and headed into the season, we knew it would be as we were still adding players to the roster in late August. We are proud of some things we've accomplished. Sometimes we get caught up in wins and losses, but from the first practice up to this point we've improved, and that's all we can ask for."[[In-content Ad]]