Falcons prepare to defend SCOL title; advance in playoffs
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
CLARKSVILLE — Everyone knows the Clinton-Massie Falcons are the team to beat in the South Central Ohio League this season. Being four-time defending champions (a tri-title in 2007), along with eight straight playoff appearance and reaching the Division IV Regional Finals, will put heavy expectations on a football team.
But, then again, the Falcons put heavy expectations on themselves to perform at at top level each season.
"There is no pressure," 15-year head coach Dan McSurley said. "It’s not pressure when you have the confidence. We aren't overconfident, but we know what the prize is, and we are going to prepare the best we can each week. Our players are going to prepare, our coaches will be prepared, and that takes a lot of the pressure away."
Massie has compiled a 25-2 in SCOL play, losing to Miami Trace in '06 and Washington in '07, with a current league winning streak of 13 games.
The last two seasons Massie has finished undefeated in the regular season with eight straight playoff appearances under their belt and are the overall favorites to win their fifth-straight SCOL title.
"This year, we've been able to start faster and get ahead of where we were last year," McSurley said. "Last year, it took us four games to figure out who we were. But with this many guys back, we know who can play at what level, plus we know what improvement needs to be made from last season."
In 2009 (including playoffs), Massie finished 12-1 with a winning percentage of .923. They scored a total of 397 points and allowed just 107. They were 6-0 at home and 5-0 away. On neutral sites, Massie finished 1-1.
Their playoff wins came against Waynesville (43-0) and Kenton (30-22). Their playoff loss was against Archbishop Alter, 32-7.
Returning for the Falcons on offense will be senior Jordan Scanlon (5-10, 205), senior Gunner Calhoun (6-2, 220), junior Brad Burges (TE), junior Jared Salsbury (RT), senior Jordan Phillips (LG), senior Jake Richardson (QB), senior Taylor Luckett (SE), second-team All-State senior Mike Stenger (6-3, 305, LT) and senior Scott Wilkie (FB).
"Our offensive line is looking solid. We have Jared, Mike and Jordan, and they all are working hard," McSurley said.
Scanlon ran for 2,020 yards in 2009 while scoring 30 touchdowns and was Division IV All-State at running back.
"We are a base wishbone, with multiple sets," McSurley said. "We run out of the I-Formation and that is what we are. Our backfield will consist of four kids, and they are going to have to be unselfish.
"Jordan (Scanlon) has a chance to rush for 6,000 yards for a career and our fullback (Wilkie) will get carries too," McSurley said. "The guys have to work hard for each other."
On defense, there will be six starters back, including a rare two-way starter in Calhoun at linebacker, who was second-team All-State. All-State (special mention) senior defensive end Charles Harpen returns, along with senior Justin Straight (DE), senior Logan Evans (ILB), junior Wes Clutter (SS) and Luckett (DB).
Last season, the Massie defense had five shutouts and held their opponents to single-digit scoring (including shutouts) 10 times, allowing just 28 points in SCOL games.
"We like to think because we don't give teams a lot of opportunities (by keeping the ball on offense) to score points, that is one of the reasons why our defense is so productive," McSurley said. "In a playoff game, we almost doubled the amount of offensive plays than our opponent at 62-32, and they were one of the top passing teams in the county."
But the 15-year head coach said his defense helps in the offensive game plan and play calling.
"With the players we have on our defense, we aren't afraid to go for it on fourth-and-2 or fourth-and-short," McSurley said. "We have a very strong defense, and we have confidence in them on any part of the field."
One concept the Falcons have picked up on is they, for the most part, only use players one way, keeping the team fresh and specialized throughout the season.
"We want to be a two-platoon team. If we want to keep making the playoffs and playing the top teams in the state, we have to do the things they are doing. The further you advance in the playoffs, the fewer two-way starters you see. When we play teams with two-way players, they wear down faster and if you don't have a two-platooned team it is hard to compete at the top levels in the state.
"We are almost 100 percent two-platoon."
Besides adding to their SCOL trophy collection, the Falcons have other goals, including winning their region.
"We want to win the region,” McSurley said. "This class of seniors wants to have a legacy of being one of the best in the history of the school. As a coaching staff, we want to make sure our kids don't get complacent. We know every team we play, we are going to get their best game.
"We can't afford an off week."
Not only are the Falcons known for winning, but they are known for the numbers they bring out to the football program.
"The reason we get so many players to come out to play is because of the winning," McSurley said. "We have about 60 kids in the junior high program and about 34 freshmen. When you get those type of numbers, and after a few years it will drop, but if we can keep 15-20 kids in each class, then that is a good thing.
"The most important thing is the kids gain education with football. It's about giving the kids an opportunity, plus football helps keeps the kids out of trouble."
CM will travel to Blanchester to open the 2010 football season.[[In-content Ad]]
But, then again, the Falcons put heavy expectations on themselves to perform at at top level each season.
"There is no pressure," 15-year head coach Dan McSurley said. "It’s not pressure when you have the confidence. We aren't overconfident, but we know what the prize is, and we are going to prepare the best we can each week. Our players are going to prepare, our coaches will be prepared, and that takes a lot of the pressure away."
Massie has compiled a 25-2 in SCOL play, losing to Miami Trace in '06 and Washington in '07, with a current league winning streak of 13 games.
The last two seasons Massie has finished undefeated in the regular season with eight straight playoff appearances under their belt and are the overall favorites to win their fifth-straight SCOL title.
"This year, we've been able to start faster and get ahead of where we were last year," McSurley said. "Last year, it took us four games to figure out who we were. But with this many guys back, we know who can play at what level, plus we know what improvement needs to be made from last season."
In 2009 (including playoffs), Massie finished 12-1 with a winning percentage of .923. They scored a total of 397 points and allowed just 107. They were 6-0 at home and 5-0 away. On neutral sites, Massie finished 1-1.
Their playoff wins came against Waynesville (43-0) and Kenton (30-22). Their playoff loss was against Archbishop Alter, 32-7.
Returning for the Falcons on offense will be senior Jordan Scanlon (5-10, 205), senior Gunner Calhoun (6-2, 220), junior Brad Burges (TE), junior Jared Salsbury (RT), senior Jordan Phillips (LG), senior Jake Richardson (QB), senior Taylor Luckett (SE), second-team All-State senior Mike Stenger (6-3, 305, LT) and senior Scott Wilkie (FB).
"Our offensive line is looking solid. We have Jared, Mike and Jordan, and they all are working hard," McSurley said.
Scanlon ran for 2,020 yards in 2009 while scoring 30 touchdowns and was Division IV All-State at running back.
"We are a base wishbone, with multiple sets," McSurley said. "We run out of the I-Formation and that is what we are. Our backfield will consist of four kids, and they are going to have to be unselfish.
"Jordan (Scanlon) has a chance to rush for 6,000 yards for a career and our fullback (Wilkie) will get carries too," McSurley said. "The guys have to work hard for each other."
On defense, there will be six starters back, including a rare two-way starter in Calhoun at linebacker, who was second-team All-State. All-State (special mention) senior defensive end Charles Harpen returns, along with senior Justin Straight (DE), senior Logan Evans (ILB), junior Wes Clutter (SS) and Luckett (DB).
Last season, the Massie defense had five shutouts and held their opponents to single-digit scoring (including shutouts) 10 times, allowing just 28 points in SCOL games.
"We like to think because we don't give teams a lot of opportunities (by keeping the ball on offense) to score points, that is one of the reasons why our defense is so productive," McSurley said. "In a playoff game, we almost doubled the amount of offensive plays than our opponent at 62-32, and they were one of the top passing teams in the county."
But the 15-year head coach said his defense helps in the offensive game plan and play calling.
"With the players we have on our defense, we aren't afraid to go for it on fourth-and-2 or fourth-and-short," McSurley said. "We have a very strong defense, and we have confidence in them on any part of the field."
One concept the Falcons have picked up on is they, for the most part, only use players one way, keeping the team fresh and specialized throughout the season.
"We want to be a two-platoon team. If we want to keep making the playoffs and playing the top teams in the state, we have to do the things they are doing. The further you advance in the playoffs, the fewer two-way starters you see. When we play teams with two-way players, they wear down faster and if you don't have a two-platooned team it is hard to compete at the top levels in the state.
"We are almost 100 percent two-platoon."
Besides adding to their SCOL trophy collection, the Falcons have other goals, including winning their region.
"We want to win the region,” McSurley said. "This class of seniors wants to have a legacy of being one of the best in the history of the school. As a coaching staff, we want to make sure our kids don't get complacent. We know every team we play, we are going to get their best game.
"We can't afford an off week."
Not only are the Falcons known for winning, but they are known for the numbers they bring out to the football program.
"The reason we get so many players to come out to play is because of the winning," McSurley said. "We have about 60 kids in the junior high program and about 34 freshmen. When you get those type of numbers, and after a few years it will drop, but if we can keep 15-20 kids in each class, then that is a good thing.
"The most important thing is the kids gain education with football. It's about giving the kids an opportunity, plus football helps keeps the kids out of trouble."
CM will travel to Blanchester to open the 2010 football season.[[In-content Ad]]