2016 Rotary Bowl Preview: Hillsboro Indians vs. McClain Tigers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The final game of the 2016 season has arrived, and for the Hillsboro Indians and McClain Tigers, there is a lot to play for with the Rotary Bowl trophy on the line.
McClain won last season’s Rotary Bowl game at McClain Field by a 35-17 score, but since the very first Rotary Bowl game back in 1985, the Indians lead the series 19-12.
Since 2000, the Indians and Tigers are tied at 8-8 in Rotary Bowl wins.
This season, the game will be played at Richards Memorial Field with the Indians coming into the game with a 3-6 overall record, winning last week against the Miami Trace Panthers for the second consecutive season. HHS defeated the Panthers at Panther Stadium by a 54-27 score.
McClain hasn’t had a win since Week 1, entering the South Central Ohio League finale with a 1-8 overall record. McClain defeated Adena in Week 1 (34-21), but since then have lost their past eight games, including last Friday night at East Clinton by a 33-27 score.
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None of that matters though this week. Not who won last year. Not who leads the overall series. Not who is coming off a win. When the Indians and Tigers play, all of that can go out the window, because anything can happen.
For the visiting Tigers, quarterback Tristan Pitzer enters the game with 485 yards passing with two touchdown passes. Pitzer is known for his ability to run with the football, and he’s done that tremendously this season with 159 carries for 1,052 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. He enters the game with four games of over 100-plus yards rushing with an average of 116.9 yards per game on the ground.
Teammate Gabe Adams isn’t far behind with 135 carries for 851 yards, averaging 94.6 yards per game rushing (6.3 ypc) and 12 touchdowns.
Adams also leads the Tigers in total tackles with 108 (83 solo). Next is Jacob Easter with 70 tackles and Pitzer with 62.
Darius White and Brady Willett each lead the Tigers with one sack this season.
MHS has two games where they lost by six or fewer points: Week 2 vs. Unioto, 42-41, and Week 9 at East Clinton.
Now for the Indians.
Hillsboro has one game this season where they lost by less than a touchdown, that being Week 4 where they lost by just two points to the Washington Blue Lions by a 35-33 score.
Taking a look at their past two games, both wins, the Indians have outscored their opponents, 82-41 by defeating East Clinton, 28-14 and the aforementioned 54-27 win over Miami Trace.
One Hillsboro running back, Luke Gallimore, this past week rushed for five touchdowns in the win over MT, with runs to the end zone of 55, 74, 36, 14 and 27 yards. He finished with 276 rushing yards in the Indians’ third win of the year.
Gallimore leads the Indians with 12 rushing touchdowns, while Sajoun Jones has five total touchdowns (four receiving) and Brian Smith has four total scores (three receiving) for Hillsboro.
Deon Burns is coming off a three-touchdown game last week, and in limited play this season due to an injury (he’s played in just five games), he’s powered his way to five rushing scores on the season. Also, quarterback Hunter Chain has thrown for multiple touchdowns, but has rushed for three, and on defense he intercepted a pass for a score as well.
Kickoff at Richards Memorial Field is set for 7:30 p.m. with HHS also celebrating Senior Night in pregame ceremonies.
McClain won last season’s Rotary Bowl game at McClain Field by a 35-17 score, but since the very first Rotary Bowl game back in 1985, the Indians lead the series 19-12.
Since 2000, the Indians and Tigers are tied at 8-8 in Rotary Bowl wins.
This season, the game will be played at Richards Memorial Field with the Indians coming into the game with a 3-6 overall record, winning last week against the Miami Trace Panthers for the second consecutive season. HHS defeated the Panthers at Panther Stadium by a 54-27 score.
McClain hasn’t had a win since Week 1, entering the South Central Ohio League finale with a 1-8 overall record. McClain defeated Adena in Week 1 (34-21), but since then have lost their past eight games, including last Friday night at East Clinton by a 33-27 score.
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None of that matters though this week. Not who won last year. Not who leads the overall series. Not who is coming off a win. When the Indians and Tigers play, all of that can go out the window, because anything can happen.
For the visiting Tigers, quarterback Tristan Pitzer enters the game with 485 yards passing with two touchdown passes. Pitzer is known for his ability to run with the football, and he’s done that tremendously this season with 159 carries for 1,052 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. He enters the game with four games of over 100-plus yards rushing with an average of 116.9 yards per game on the ground.
Teammate Gabe Adams isn’t far behind with 135 carries for 851 yards, averaging 94.6 yards per game rushing (6.3 ypc) and 12 touchdowns.
Adams also leads the Tigers in total tackles with 108 (83 solo). Next is Jacob Easter with 70 tackles and Pitzer with 62.
Darius White and Brady Willett each lead the Tigers with one sack this season.
MHS has two games where they lost by six or fewer points: Week 2 vs. Unioto, 42-41, and Week 9 at East Clinton.
Now for the Indians.
Hillsboro has one game this season where they lost by less than a touchdown, that being Week 4 where they lost by just two points to the Washington Blue Lions by a 35-33 score.
Taking a look at their past two games, both wins, the Indians have outscored their opponents, 82-41 by defeating East Clinton, 28-14 and the aforementioned 54-27 win over Miami Trace.
One Hillsboro running back, Luke Gallimore, this past week rushed for five touchdowns in the win over MT, with runs to the end zone of 55, 74, 36, 14 and 27 yards. He finished with 276 rushing yards in the Indians’ third win of the year.
Gallimore leads the Indians with 12 rushing touchdowns, while Sajoun Jones has five total touchdowns (four receiving) and Brian Smith has four total scores (three receiving) for Hillsboro.
Deon Burns is coming off a three-touchdown game last week, and in limited play this season due to an injury (he’s played in just five games), he’s powered his way to five rushing scores on the season. Also, quarterback Hunter Chain has thrown for multiple touchdowns, but has rushed for three, and on defense he intercepted a pass for a score as well.
Kickoff at Richards Memorial Field is set for 7:30 p.m. with HHS also celebrating Senior Night in pregame ceremonies.