Tigers travel back in time; face Pioneers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD – The McClain Tigers are guaranteed no less than a .500 season, but they are in the business of winning games, so with two weeks to go they have the opportunity to gain a winning record for the first time since before the 2003 season.
This week, the task to gain a winning mark for the season is going to be tough, with the 7-1 Jonathan Alder Pioneers set to host the Tigers in Week 9. Alder's lone loss came against the Clinton-Massie Falcons by a blocked extra point in Week 3, 28-27. In comparison, the Tigers lost to the Falcons, 63-7 at McClain Field.
The past two seasons, JA has outscored MHS, 96-7.
JA is currently ranked fifth in the Region 16 of the weekly Harbin Ratings, with the Top 8 teams from each region earning a spot in the playoffs. For the past three seasons, the Pioneers reached the regional quarterfinals and were state runners-up in 2006.
The Pioneers have had a lot of football success.
This season, the Pioneers have scored 339 points, while allowing 108. They are 5-0 on the road and 2-1 at home.
The last two weeks JA has defeated the Washington Blue Lions (their first loss of the season) 59-19 and Ponitz Career Tech, 49-14. Both wins were road games. JA also defeated SCOL teams in London (52-12) and Miami Trace (56-0).
The Tigers are coming off a 28-21 win over the Miami Trace Panthers at Panther Stadium. MHS will play its second straight road game and will end the season next week on the road at rival Hillsboro.
But in Week 9, the Tigers will have to face good athletes on both sides of the ball.
"They have a nice passing game with a very talented quarterback," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "He's a dual threat. He can run the football."
Not only does JA have talent at quarterback, they are big up front.
"They have a nice running game and a nice offensive line," Closson said. "They are dangerous offensively, but their defense is tough too. They get to the ball fast, their linebackers are quick, and they cover the field well."
JA uses a 4-4 defense; they have traditionally been a 5-2 defensive team but have switched this season.
Closson said JA compares to the Clinton-Massie Falcons when asked who they remind him of compared to other teams on the Tigers' schedule.
"They are about as close as you can get to Clinton-Massie," he said. "They are close to them size- and speed-wise."
When asked how his team was doing, knowing they wouldn't finish under .500 this season, and with two games remaining Closson said his players felt good about themselves.
"We've taken some tough losses this season, but to be sitting at 5-3, our kids feel good about where they are. With two games to go, we need to play to the best of our abilities and see where the chips fall."
To go toe-to-toe with the Division IV state-ranked Pioneers, the Tigers know they must maintain drives on offense.
"We have to execute on offense and keep the ball out of their hands," Closson said. "Our defense must contain their quarterback and slow down their running game. We face a big challenge this week, and if we don't focus, things can get out of hand.
"I'm proud of the character our team has played with this season. We have guys getting themselves prepared each and every week. We've had a lot of guys step in when needed, and I am just proud of our kids."
GREENFIELD – The McClain Tigers are guaranteed no less than a .500 season, but they are in the business of winning games, so with two weeks to go they have the opportunity to gain a winning record for the first time since before the 2003 season.
This week, the task to gain a winning mark for the season is going to be tough, with the 7-1 Jonathan Alder Pioneers set to host the Tigers in Week 9. Alder's lone loss came against the Clinton-Massie Falcons by a blocked extra point in Week 3, 28-27. In comparison, the Tigers lost to the Falcons, 63-7 at McClain Field.
The past two seasons, JA has outscored MHS, 96-7.
JA is currently ranked fifth in the Region 16 of the weekly Harbin Ratings, with the Top 8 teams from each region earning a spot in the playoffs. For the past three seasons, the Pioneers reached the regional quarterfinals and were state runners-up in 2006.
The Pioneers have had a lot of football success.
This season, the Pioneers have scored 339 points, while allowing 108. They are 5-0 on the road and 2-1 at home.
The last two weeks JA has defeated the Washington Blue Lions (their first loss of the season) 59-19 and Ponitz Career Tech, 49-14. Both wins were road games. JA also defeated SCOL teams in London (52-12) and Miami Trace (56-0).
The Tigers are coming off a 28-21 win over the Miami Trace Panthers at Panther Stadium. MHS will play its second straight road game and will end the season next week on the road at rival Hillsboro.
But in Week 9, the Tigers will have to face good athletes on both sides of the ball.
"They have a nice passing game with a very talented quarterback," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "He's a dual threat. He can run the football."
Not only does JA have talent at quarterback, they are big up front.
"They have a nice running game and a nice offensive line," Closson said. "They are dangerous offensively, but their defense is tough too. They get to the ball fast, their linebackers are quick, and they cover the field well."
JA uses a 4-4 defense; they have traditionally been a 5-2 defensive team but have switched this season.
Closson said JA compares to the Clinton-Massie Falcons when asked who they remind him of compared to other teams on the Tigers' schedule.
"They are about as close as you can get to Clinton-Massie," he said. "They are close to them size- and speed-wise."
When asked how his team was doing, knowing they wouldn't finish under .500 this season, and with two games remaining Closson said his players felt good about themselves.
"We've taken some tough losses this season, but to be sitting at 5-3, our kids feel good about where they are. With two games to go, we need to play to the best of our abilities and see where the chips fall."
To go toe-to-toe with the Division IV state-ranked Pioneers, the Tigers know they must maintain drives on offense.
"We have to execute on offense and keep the ball out of their hands," Closson said. "Our defense must contain their quarterback and slow down their running game. We face a big challenge this week, and if we don't focus, things can get out of hand.
"I'm proud of the character our team has played with this season. We have guys getting themselves prepared each and every week. We've had a lot of guys step in when needed, and I am just proud of our kids."
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