Week 2 High School Football Pregame Notebook

Week one of the high school football season had some surprises, some good performances, and it was just nice to get the season up and going.

Now that we are past the celebration of having the season under way, it is time to settle down, take a deep breath and get down to what will be nine more weeks of tough football for teams all around our area.

The game I covered last Friday was the McClain Tigers at the Adena Warriors, where Adena won a very tough game by a 25-22 score.

I was impressed with the Warriors' ability to run the football, but their QB Jonathan Thomas has a strong arm, and he aired the ball out a few times in a game that was full of running plays.

For McClain, senior Ryan Faulconer rushed for 146 yards on 24 carries. His runs weren't around the corner, no … every time he carried the ball, it was to hit people and break as many tackle attempts as possible. He did that very well, and he had a very impressive game for the season opener. 

The Tigers' offensive line deserves some credit as well. As the game went along, their play improved, I thought, and it was exciting to see that group start to gel as a unit their first time in a regular-season game.

This week, the Tigers host the Unioto Shermans, and I think that should be a very quality contest as well. MHS head coach Randy Closson said of the Shermans in a preview article: 

"Unioto has some impressive athletes, size and speed … Defensively, they really get after it. I think this is the best Unioto team that I have seen."

As for those Shermans, they love to run the football as well. UHS QB Erique Hosley had nine rushes for 168 yards and one touchdown in the season-opening win against Vinton County, and teammate Dillon Binegar followed with 11 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

• Looking forward to Week 2
The South Central Ohio League went 3-5 overall in the first week of games, with Clinton-Massie, Wilmington and Miami Trace starting the season with wins, and I think they are the three best teams in the SCOL, along with Chillicothe.

Their overall play is proof of that, with three of those teams being playoff participants last season, and like I've said all summer, I believe Wilmington is one of the most well-conditioned teams I watched in the preseason.

Speaking of the SCOL, here are the Week 2 games:

• Chillicothe vs. Walnut Ridge

• Clinton-Massie vs. Waynesville

• East Clinton vs. Blanchester

• Hillsboro at Goshen

• McClain vs. Unioto

• Miami Trace at Carlisle

• Washington vs. Circleville

• Wilmington vs. West Carrolton

That gives the league six home games this week, so there is no shortage of football in the area if you are a fan of the SCOL.

What I believe will be the most intense game of them all is the non-league rivalry game between the Clinton-Massie Falcons and the Waynesville Spartans. If you want to see a tough football matchup, then Clarksville is where I would be on Friday night.

Here is a look at their recent history in games against each other:

2013: Clinton-Massie 21, Waynesville 19
2012: Clinton-Massie 39, Waynesville 14
2011: Waynesville 17, Clinton-Massie 2
2010: Clinton-Massie 59, Waynesville 7
2009: Clinton-Massie 13, Waynesville 9
2008: Clinton-Massie 48, Waynesville 20
2007: Clinton-Massie 30, Waynesville 13
2006: Clinton-Massie 49, Waynesville 19
2005: Clinton-Massie 23, Waynesville 14
2004: Waynesville 29, Clinton-Massie 20

In looking at the stats of Clinton-Massie on Maxpreps.com from last week, CM quarterback Hunter Fentress was 4-of-8 for 93 yards, and Chayse Wolf led the Falcons in rushing with 20 carries for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Wolf also had a touchdown reception.

CM defeated Blanchester last week, 42-0. Waynesville is also 1-0, defeating Taft, 32-18.

• Game Predictions
Last week, I went 5-3 in my picks, and here is what I'm thinking for Week 2: Walnut Ridge, Clinton-Massie, East Clinton, Goshen, Unioto, Miami Trace, Washington, Wilmington. I hope all the SCOL teams win, but we'll just have to wait and see.

• SVC Schedule for Week 2
This week, I'm going to have the opportunity to watch another Scioto Valley Conference team with Paint Valley hosting Williamsburg in what I expect to be a VERY good football game.

Here is the complete SVC Week 2 schedule:

• Adena at Reading

• Huntington at Wellston

• Paint Valley vs. Williamsburg

• Piketon at Vinton County

• Southeastern at River Valley

• Unioto at McClain

• Westfall vs. Logan Elm

• Zane Trace at Amanda-Clearcreek

Last week, the SVC went 2-6 overall, with Unioto defeating Vinton County, 39-25 and Adena defeating McClain, 25-22.

I expect the conference to rebound this week, and I would be surprised if at least half the conference didn't end Friday night with a win.

• Final Thoughts
No. 1 for this Friday is to stay hydrated. It is expected to be in the 90s, so safety is key. As for football, I think the level of play will be better all around with teams getting their first games out of the way.

Teams have had a week to work on their weaknesses and see where they stand early in the season. Who knows? Maybe there will be a few upsets. Everyone have fun and enjoy the games.

Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.