Tigers improve to 2-0 with win over Northwest

GREENFIELD  — The McClain Tigers football team improved to 2-0 on the season after defeating Northwest 34-7 Friday night.

A huge crowd was on hand to welcome their Tiger team in its home opener, and the boys in purple and gold did not disappoint.

McClain was running on all cylinders both offensively and defensively for the entire game and except for a few minor penalties and miscues looked like a team that had already reached midseason form.

“I know we made some mistakes tonight, but mistakes are going to happen, and as long as they are aggressive mistakes, I’m fine with that every now and then,” McClain head coach Keith Penwell said. “I thought overall we played pretty well. We moved the ball, but kind of got a little sleepy there right before the half when they scored.”

McClain scored its first touchdown at the 6:07 mark of the first quarter on a 2-yard run by quarterback Hudson Lovett. Ross Roman converted the PAT, and the Tigers led 7-0.

Northwest put together a nice time-consuming drive at the end of the opening quarter when they moved to the Tigers’ 9-yard line.

The scoring threat ended at the beginning of the second period when Lovett intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it 58 yards to the Mohawks’ 42-yard line.

On McClain’s second play after the interception, Lovett hit Brady Binegar for a 9-yard touchdown pass at the 10:42 mark of the second quarter, and after a second successful PAT by Roman, the Tigers led 14-0.

The scoring play was set up by a spectacular 33-yard throw and catch from Lovett to Gavin Anderson.

The Tigers scored their third touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter on a 26-yard pass from Lovett to Anderson, pushing the McClain advantage to 21-0 after Roman split the uprights again with the PAT. This score was set up by two great throws from Lovett to Brady Binegar and Holden Lyons.

Northwest finally got on the scoreboard just before halftime after they intercepted a halfback pass by McClain and capitalized on it with a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Young to Nate Fry with just 25 seconds left before halftime. Wesyn Lang converted the extra-point try, and the first half ended with the Tigers leading 21-7.

In the second half, the Tigers went to a little more of a run-type offense and highlighted sophomore tailback Bentley Marsh, who was spectacular with 108 yards rushing on just eight carries.

After a scoreless third quarter, Marsh had several big runs that helped open up the Tigers passing attack again in the fourth when they scored two more touchdowns.

“Benny (Bentley) Marsh had a really great game for us with over 100 yards rushing,” Penwell said. “He’s only a sophomore, but he’s not playing like a sophomore.”

McClain’s first score in the fourth quarter was on a 1-yard run by Lovett that was set up by another nice pass and catch from Lovett to Anderson. After Roman connected on his fourth PAT of the contest, the Tigers had extended their lead to 28-7 with still 11:10 left in regulation time.

The McClain defense that was awesome all night held Northwest to a quick three-and-out on their next offensive series, and the Tigers’ offense scored two plays later on a 25-yard run by Lovett when he knifed through the Mohawk defense to paydirt at the 10:37 mark of the fourth.

It was set up by another big 23 yard run by Marsh and ended the scoring for the game, giving the Tigers the impressive 34-7 non-conference victory.

Neither team was able to score over the final 10 minutes of the game due mainly to both coaches getting several younger players some varsity experience.

“I’m just really proud of our guys,” Penwell said. “Our goal tonight was not to get bullied by them, because they’re big and they will go toe to toe with you.

“We were able to get them into a spread formation and got some big sacks and plays from several of our players.

“Bryson Bihl, who is another sophomore, had a really good game defensively. He had some big sacks and tackles and I told him in one of our huddles, ‘You’ve really arrived, and welcome to Friday Night Lights.’

“I also thought our two guys in the middle Noah Sponcil and Kam Penwell really got after it, and that’s a pretty good combination that really plugs up the middle.

“Holden Lyons and Hunter Skaggs both had really good games for us too, and Hudson (Lovett) was just being Hudson,” Penwell continued.

Lovett finished the game with another fine all-around performance with 157 yards passing and 88 yards rushing, accounting for four touchdowns.

“Hudson was able to use his legs and still find people to throw to, I think we had six different people catch balls tonight,” Penwell said. “We’ve got Paint Valley here next week, and Coach John Penwell will have his team ready, so hopefully we can keep improving to get better.”

McClain (2-0) will host Paint Valley (0-2) next Friday, Sept. 4 with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Stats leaders for McClain: 
Passing: Lovett 11-of-23, 157 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.
Rushing: Marsh 8 carries, 105 yards; Lovett 10 carries, 88 yards, 3 TDs; Brady Binegar 3 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD.
Receiving: Gavin Anderson 4 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD; Bentley Marsh 1 catch, 21 yards; Hunter Peabody 2 catches, 17 yards; Holden Lyons 1 catch, 15 yards; Brady Binegar 2 catches, 13 yards; and Leiland Bond 1 catch, 8 yards.

Note: Freshman placekicker Ross Roman converted 4-of-5 extra-point attempts, giving him 9-of-10 on the season.