Tigers working to increase offensive production this year
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — After a strong start in 2009, where the McClain Tigers jumped out to three straight wins, things didn't go as planned for the remainder of the season. The Tigers are younger from a year ago, but sixth year head coach Randy Closson sees an upside to his 2010 squad.
Though the Tigers return eight starting lettermen from '09, they will look to their 13-member senior class for leadership as they will be adding some wrinkles in their offense.
The senior class for the Tigers will include: Josh Barrett (TE/DE), Joe Barnhart (TE/DE), John Caskey, Dylan Cruise (TE/DE), Jacob Dillon (WR/CB), Thorne Hester (DT), Jared Loftis (RB/LB), James Mann (OL/DL), Zach Matracia (WR/LB), Zach Uhl (WR/CB), Dillon Wheaton (OL/DT), Aron Hamilton (OL/DL) and Brandon Darlington (WR/CB).
"We are a lot younger this year," Closson said. "We have the same number of seniors as last year, but not as much experience. We have a couple of first-year guys, and I expect us to hopefully grow as the season goes and to compete to win games."
When asked what changes when returning a younger team, rather than a team like last season who had a lot of varsity experience, Closson said there were some differences.
"The learning process is what changes the most with a younger team compared to having an older team returning," he said. "We are still seeing where we are, but we have a lot of upside, and the growth with this team can be tremendous. We have the capability to be a good football team."
Returning varsity letterman who started last season include: Hamilton, Barnhart, Mann, Matracia, Loftis, Hester, Caskey, and junior quarterback/safety Cameron Cooper.
Last year, there was a platoon at the quarterback spot with Cooper and Loftis sharing time under center. This season will be different, with Loftis moving to running back with the Tigers using Cooper as the main signal caller. In his time as QB last season, Cooper was 16-for-38 (.421 comp. percentage), 290 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Loftis, when playing QB, was 42-for-71 with 617 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Cameron gives us some experience. He's ran our offense with the option, and now with two summers learning the offense, he's in such command with the passing game.
"He throws a better ball, and his ball placement is where it needs to be. It allows the receivers to make plays. As far as the option part of our offense, he makes it look easier."
Though the Tigers seem to be set at the QB spot, the offensive line might be a question mark with two starters returning. Chemistry could be an issue as the season nears.
"We need the offensive line to gel as a unit," Closson said. "We need guys to step up and fill the roles to fill the vacant spots."
At wide receiver this season for MHS will be seniors who are making a return to football in Uhl and Dillon.
"They looked really well in the passing scrimmages and camps. So far they've done a nice job," Closson said.
Scheduled to be at running back this season is Loftis (who suffered a preseason injury). Loftis is scheduled to be fullback for the Tigers once he returns to action, which can add another weapon for McClain on offense. In 2009, Loftis led MHS in rushing with 407 yards on 105 carries.
"I think we will be more balanced on offense because we have more experience," Closson said. "It's our second year in our offense, and we picked up a few wrinkles since we have a better grasp of it."
Last year McClain totaled 999 yards of passing and just over 1,400 yards of rushing. Zack Mullikin, who rushed for 375 yards graduated. At wide receiver, 2,129 yards graduated in Kameron Mace, Logan Wise and Nik Beatty.
Defensively for MHS, the Tigers will also be young, especially at linebacker.
Matracia returns with 153 total tackles last year (85 unassisted), making an average of 15.3 per game. He also caused six fumbles and recovered two.
Matracia and Cooper will play the safety positions, but the Tigers have to replace two cornerback spots.
"At defense, we are going to have some young guys,” Closson said. "We are going to have some new linebackers, and we have some young guys we are excited about.
"As for our defensive line, we have some guys we need to replace, but we are returning (Joe) Barnhart."
Barnhart finished with 44 tackles last season (25 unassisted), along with one fumble recovery and one sack.
Hester returns at tackle, and Closson said the coaching staff is confident with him at tackle. Last year, Hester forced one fumble and had 13 tackles.
"Our defense will be our driving force for what we are doing," Closson said. "We are starting to see a difference."
In the area of special teams, Closson said it was neutral last year, but will return kicker Luis Rivas who gained experience in ‘09.
On the outlook of the SCOL Closson said it is Clinton-Massie, and after that, it’s anyone’s game.
"Massie has depth, and I think we can play with anyone in the league," he said. "Leadership will be a challenge for us. We have big shoes to fill from last year and hopefully our seniors will rise to the occasion. Cameron (Cooper), a junior, is well suited for a leadership role.
"In looking at our team, I want to see how this keeps going. I want to see our young guys contribute and if they develop like they are capable of developing, we can have a strong team."
MHS will open the season at Adena, Aug. 27.[[In-content Ad]]
Though the Tigers return eight starting lettermen from '09, they will look to their 13-member senior class for leadership as they will be adding some wrinkles in their offense.
The senior class for the Tigers will include: Josh Barrett (TE/DE), Joe Barnhart (TE/DE), John Caskey, Dylan Cruise (TE/DE), Jacob Dillon (WR/CB), Thorne Hester (DT), Jared Loftis (RB/LB), James Mann (OL/DL), Zach Matracia (WR/LB), Zach Uhl (WR/CB), Dillon Wheaton (OL/DT), Aron Hamilton (OL/DL) and Brandon Darlington (WR/CB).
"We are a lot younger this year," Closson said. "We have the same number of seniors as last year, but not as much experience. We have a couple of first-year guys, and I expect us to hopefully grow as the season goes and to compete to win games."
When asked what changes when returning a younger team, rather than a team like last season who had a lot of varsity experience, Closson said there were some differences.
"The learning process is what changes the most with a younger team compared to having an older team returning," he said. "We are still seeing where we are, but we have a lot of upside, and the growth with this team can be tremendous. We have the capability to be a good football team."
Returning varsity letterman who started last season include: Hamilton, Barnhart, Mann, Matracia, Loftis, Hester, Caskey, and junior quarterback/safety Cameron Cooper.
Last year, there was a platoon at the quarterback spot with Cooper and Loftis sharing time under center. This season will be different, with Loftis moving to running back with the Tigers using Cooper as the main signal caller. In his time as QB last season, Cooper was 16-for-38 (.421 comp. percentage), 290 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Loftis, when playing QB, was 42-for-71 with 617 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Cameron gives us some experience. He's ran our offense with the option, and now with two summers learning the offense, he's in such command with the passing game.
"He throws a better ball, and his ball placement is where it needs to be. It allows the receivers to make plays. As far as the option part of our offense, he makes it look easier."
Though the Tigers seem to be set at the QB spot, the offensive line might be a question mark with two starters returning. Chemistry could be an issue as the season nears.
"We need the offensive line to gel as a unit," Closson said. "We need guys to step up and fill the roles to fill the vacant spots."
At wide receiver this season for MHS will be seniors who are making a return to football in Uhl and Dillon.
"They looked really well in the passing scrimmages and camps. So far they've done a nice job," Closson said.
Scheduled to be at running back this season is Loftis (who suffered a preseason injury). Loftis is scheduled to be fullback for the Tigers once he returns to action, which can add another weapon for McClain on offense. In 2009, Loftis led MHS in rushing with 407 yards on 105 carries.
"I think we will be more balanced on offense because we have more experience," Closson said. "It's our second year in our offense, and we picked up a few wrinkles since we have a better grasp of it."
Last year McClain totaled 999 yards of passing and just over 1,400 yards of rushing. Zack Mullikin, who rushed for 375 yards graduated. At wide receiver, 2,129 yards graduated in Kameron Mace, Logan Wise and Nik Beatty.
Defensively for MHS, the Tigers will also be young, especially at linebacker.
Matracia returns with 153 total tackles last year (85 unassisted), making an average of 15.3 per game. He also caused six fumbles and recovered two.
Matracia and Cooper will play the safety positions, but the Tigers have to replace two cornerback spots.
"At defense, we are going to have some young guys,” Closson said. "We are going to have some new linebackers, and we have some young guys we are excited about.
"As for our defensive line, we have some guys we need to replace, but we are returning (Joe) Barnhart."
Barnhart finished with 44 tackles last season (25 unassisted), along with one fumble recovery and one sack.
Hester returns at tackle, and Closson said the coaching staff is confident with him at tackle. Last year, Hester forced one fumble and had 13 tackles.
"Our defense will be our driving force for what we are doing," Closson said. "We are starting to see a difference."
In the area of special teams, Closson said it was neutral last year, but will return kicker Luis Rivas who gained experience in ‘09.
On the outlook of the SCOL Closson said it is Clinton-Massie, and after that, it’s anyone’s game.
"Massie has depth, and I think we can play with anyone in the league," he said. "Leadership will be a challenge for us. We have big shoes to fill from last year and hopefully our seniors will rise to the occasion. Cameron (Cooper), a junior, is well suited for a leadership role.
"In looking at our team, I want to see how this keeps going. I want to see our young guys contribute and if they develop like they are capable of developing, we can have a strong team."
MHS will open the season at Adena, Aug. 27.[[In-content Ad]]