Week 4 Football Preview: Indians set to face Falcons
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Clinton-Massie Falcons are on a mission this season, and standing in their way this week are the Hillsboro Indians.
It's not just the fact the Falcons are undefeated after three weeks headed the into South Central Ohio League schedule, but it is how the Falcons have gained their first three wins.
In weeks one and two, CM dominated their oppositions, outscoring Blanchester and Waynesville, 114-7 on 993 yards rushing.
Last week, the Falcons passed their toughest test to date, with a pounding ground attack, defeating Jonathan Alder, 28-27 as Charley Harpen blocked an extra point attempt with around one minute remaining in the game.
This week, the Indians are going to try to do what no team has done in 25 regular season games against the Falcons ... hand them a loss.
To achieve that feat, HHS (1-2) must stop senior All-State running back Jordan Scanlon. Scanlon has had rushing games of 220, 244 and 113 this season for a grand total of 577 yards. He's scored 10 touchdowns this season, six in the first game. Massie also has an offensive line that includes All-State lineman Mike Stenger who is 6-5, 305.
"They are a typical Clinton-Massie football team. They are physical, play outstanding football and are a step above from last year, and they went deep into the playoffs last year," Hillsboro head coach Brian Spicer said. "With them playing at the level they play at, plus having to go to their place, that's not a great combo for us and we are going to have our hands full."
This is the first of three straight road games for the Indians who are 1-1 on the road this season. Starting with Massie, the Tribe will then go to Gardner Park to take on the Washington Blue Lions, then to Zanesville to take on the Blue Devils. All three teams combined have nine wins after three games.
Looking toward the next three weeks, the Indians are entering the gauntlet of games with perhaps their toughest test this season in a Falcon team that has won 25 straight regular season games to start the South Central Ohio League slate, followed with a Blue Lion team that has won its first three games and a Division II opponent that won nine regular season games one year ago, and have won its first three games to start this season.
"Talking about Clinton-Massie you have to look at how they win. They have great execution and they aren't very complex," Spicer said. "When they are on offense most teams know what to expect, but they are ready to line up and play football when they take the field."
With the 25 game regular season winning streak, the Falcons have just lost two SCOL games since entering the league in 2005 with losses to Miami Trace ('05) and Washington ('07).
"I don't think winning gets old to them," Spicer said. "You don't see them being complacent. Winning is a trademark of their and that is due to their coaching."
Spicer wants to see improvement from his team this game after losing to the Wilmington Hurricane and Gallia Academy Blue Devils in consecutive weeks.
"I was disappointed in week two with how we were prepared, and I take all the blame there," he said. "I was impressed with how we played against Wilmington. We played solid, except for the turnovers.
"The way we played resembled the Miami-Ohio State game with all of our turnovers. The important thing is how will we bounce back. A lot will have to go our way for us to have a chance with a team like Massie. We have to understand how to handle the pressure in playing a team like Massie, and if we don't, we don't deserve to play in the postseason."
There is no way to look at it other than the Indians are playing hurt and with not many numbers this season, HHS has had to use players from their bench to step up in game this year.
"We are beat up and not having the high numbers had affected us this year," Spicer said. "We've had a few starters out in games this year and the way our kids have kept playing on speaks volumes of their character. That is what has impressed me with our team this year is the way we keep playing on."
Spicer also talked about some of his players who have stood out in the first three games.
"Aric Carroll has had some interceptions this year, but he's had a lot of productivity with his running game. Our tackles (Chris Butler and Caleb Wilson) are doing what they need to do," Spicer said. "Also Kordell Ford, Francis Holbrook, Jordan Stratton, Jared Luschek, Britt Wells, Dow Kiefer and Bodhi Hawkins all have came in and played well for us this year in different areas."
The Falcons and the Indians will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. in Clarksville.[[In-content Ad]]
It's not just the fact the Falcons are undefeated after three weeks headed the into South Central Ohio League schedule, but it is how the Falcons have gained their first three wins.
In weeks one and two, CM dominated their oppositions, outscoring Blanchester and Waynesville, 114-7 on 993 yards rushing.
Last week, the Falcons passed their toughest test to date, with a pounding ground attack, defeating Jonathan Alder, 28-27 as Charley Harpen blocked an extra point attempt with around one minute remaining in the game.
This week, the Indians are going to try to do what no team has done in 25 regular season games against the Falcons ... hand them a loss.
To achieve that feat, HHS (1-2) must stop senior All-State running back Jordan Scanlon. Scanlon has had rushing games of 220, 244 and 113 this season for a grand total of 577 yards. He's scored 10 touchdowns this season, six in the first game. Massie also has an offensive line that includes All-State lineman Mike Stenger who is 6-5, 305.
"They are a typical Clinton-Massie football team. They are physical, play outstanding football and are a step above from last year, and they went deep into the playoffs last year," Hillsboro head coach Brian Spicer said. "With them playing at the level they play at, plus having to go to their place, that's not a great combo for us and we are going to have our hands full."
This is the first of three straight road games for the Indians who are 1-1 on the road this season. Starting with Massie, the Tribe will then go to Gardner Park to take on the Washington Blue Lions, then to Zanesville to take on the Blue Devils. All three teams combined have nine wins after three games.
Looking toward the next three weeks, the Indians are entering the gauntlet of games with perhaps their toughest test this season in a Falcon team that has won 25 straight regular season games to start the South Central Ohio League slate, followed with a Blue Lion team that has won its first three games and a Division II opponent that won nine regular season games one year ago, and have won its first three games to start this season.
"Talking about Clinton-Massie you have to look at how they win. They have great execution and they aren't very complex," Spicer said. "When they are on offense most teams know what to expect, but they are ready to line up and play football when they take the field."
With the 25 game regular season winning streak, the Falcons have just lost two SCOL games since entering the league in 2005 with losses to Miami Trace ('05) and Washington ('07).
"I don't think winning gets old to them," Spicer said. "You don't see them being complacent. Winning is a trademark of their and that is due to their coaching."
Spicer wants to see improvement from his team this game after losing to the Wilmington Hurricane and Gallia Academy Blue Devils in consecutive weeks.
"I was disappointed in week two with how we were prepared, and I take all the blame there," he said. "I was impressed with how we played against Wilmington. We played solid, except for the turnovers.
"The way we played resembled the Miami-Ohio State game with all of our turnovers. The important thing is how will we bounce back. A lot will have to go our way for us to have a chance with a team like Massie. We have to understand how to handle the pressure in playing a team like Massie, and if we don't, we don't deserve to play in the postseason."
There is no way to look at it other than the Indians are playing hurt and with not many numbers this season, HHS has had to use players from their bench to step up in game this year.
"We are beat up and not having the high numbers had affected us this year," Spicer said. "We've had a few starters out in games this year and the way our kids have kept playing on speaks volumes of their character. That is what has impressed me with our team this year is the way we keep playing on."
Spicer also talked about some of his players who have stood out in the first three games.
"Aric Carroll has had some interceptions this year, but he's had a lot of productivity with his running game. Our tackles (Chris Butler and Caleb Wilson) are doing what they need to do," Spicer said. "Also Kordell Ford, Francis Holbrook, Jordan Stratton, Jared Luschek, Britt Wells, Dow Kiefer and Bodhi Hawkins all have came in and played well for us this year in different areas."
The Falcons and the Indians will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. in Clarksville.[[In-content Ad]]