'13 Team Preview: McClain Tigers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
McClain head coach Randy Closson said, "The thing about last year is that we did have success, which is great, but we also had disappointment."
That is all the motivation the '13 Tigers need for the upcoming season, as they are not only using the success of winning seven games one year ago, but they are using the disappointment of not earning a playoff berth for the first time in school history, coming up one spot short in their region.
Though the region and division of the Tigers will be different this year, the goal is still the same … make the playoffs.
"As good as things were, we were close – close to the playoffs, close to winning eight games instead of seven, close to doing something that hadn't been done here. Instead of feeling fulfilled, we kind of feel empty still," Closson said. "We kind of feel like there's something left on the table for us to work toward, and I think many kids are focused on that fact that if you don't take care of business, if you don't work hard, if you don't prepare every day, the opportunity of a ball game could pass you by, and you're going to regret that. Last year's success and shortcomings have certainly impacted these guys."
MHS went 7-3 last season and the program has had two winning seasons in the past three years, as they had a six-game turnaround from the '11 season in '12.
A big part of that was the Tigers relied a lot on their defense, as Closson said that unit was the "heart and soul" of the team.
"John Penwell, our defensive coordinator, has done an outstanding job with our kids and our defensive schemes and calling games," the head coach said. "Last year, there's no doubt, and really for many years, our defense is the heart and soul of what we do. We're looking to have another solid defensive year this year."
Returning to a defense that allowed just 219 points (the third-least amount in the South Central Ohio League last season) are Logan Rhonemus (defensive end), Chris Sellman (linebacker), Shawn Haddox (linebacker), Caleb Rayburn (linebacker), Dylan Trefz (line), Nate Cornett (line), Ryan Faulconer (safety) and a few others at various spots.
"We have a lot of guys, and we've just got to keep moving forward, keep competing and trying to get better," Closson said. "We have all that returning experience on the rest of those spots, so up the middle, we look very strong. We've got some young guys at corner that are going to have to step up and do a great job for us."
MHS has 64 players in the high school program this season, giving them some depth they haven't had the luxury of having in past seasons. There are 21 seniors in total.
"That's the most we've had since I've been the head coach," Closson said. "There were a couple years when I was assistant we had more than that, but since I've been head coach, that's the biggest number.
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"This is the most seniors we've had. It's pretty good. We're real excited about the numbers. It gives us the depth that we need to cover spots and to get kids into positions, and we've got competition, people competing for spots. We're in a good spot right now."
Closson spoke more on the senior class.
"We've always been a team that believes that seniors are the leaders of the team, that they're going to set the tone for practice and are going to set the tone for the season," he said. "Having 21 of them, just a faceless crowd of 21 guys all wanting success, that's powerful."
As for the offense, besides losing a good part of their rushing attack due to graduation, the Tigers have been able to add a runner with speed in Alex Hollar, a sophomore, and have Sellman returning as a power type back.
"We lost (Roscoe) East, who was a big contributor to last year's offensive run game," Closson said. "We've got an offensive line that has some size and has some athleticism to them that's got some experience under their belt as to what they're doing.
"There's a couple other guys we're looking at that are looking really strong to run the ball for us. Dillon Hunick, as a senior tailback, looks like he's got really good speed and seems to be carrying the ball real well for us right now. So we've got some depth there, got some young guys stepping up. It's going to be good."
The offensive line has some growing pains ahead with just two of their five starters back.
"We've got two guys returning from last year," Closson said. "We lost our center, right guard, right tackle, but we have (Nate) Cornett and (Dylan) Trefz back. Those two guys were voted captains by the team. They provide that leadership.
"They're constantly talking to the guys and teaching them the blocking adjustments we make and how we communicate. They're like coaches out there on the field. They can tell the kids maybe in ways that are more creative or more direct to the point for a kid. Those guys, having that knowledge, having that understanding and teaching it, is very helpful."
Returning at quarterback is senior Thomas Schrader, who started all of last season and parts of the '11 campaign.
"We can put more on his shoulders because he's been there, done that, knows what he's doing, got the experience," Closson said of his three-year QB. "He has the command of what we're trying to do offensively, and he's got the presence of 'I've been here guys, follow me,' and take the team and lead us in the right direction.
"Another part is having Coach (Tim) Gossett coaching Thomas, because Coach Gossett does a good job offensively and diversifying what we're doing offensively to keep teams off-balance and really stressing defense. We're excited about it, and again, having Thomas there allows Coach Gossett to take the offense to another level."
On the offensive side, one thing the Tigers are looking for is consistency. The consistency also goes for the special teams.
"We've got to finish drives offensively and not put games in situations where the defense has to win it for you late," Closson said.
That is all the motivation the '13 Tigers need for the upcoming season, as they are not only using the success of winning seven games one year ago, but they are using the disappointment of not earning a playoff berth for the first time in school history, coming up one spot short in their region.
Though the region and division of the Tigers will be different this year, the goal is still the same … make the playoffs.
"As good as things were, we were close – close to the playoffs, close to winning eight games instead of seven, close to doing something that hadn't been done here. Instead of feeling fulfilled, we kind of feel empty still," Closson said. "We kind of feel like there's something left on the table for us to work toward, and I think many kids are focused on that fact that if you don't take care of business, if you don't work hard, if you don't prepare every day, the opportunity of a ball game could pass you by, and you're going to regret that. Last year's success and shortcomings have certainly impacted these guys."
MHS went 7-3 last season and the program has had two winning seasons in the past three years, as they had a six-game turnaround from the '11 season in '12.
A big part of that was the Tigers relied a lot on their defense, as Closson said that unit was the "heart and soul" of the team.
"John Penwell, our defensive coordinator, has done an outstanding job with our kids and our defensive schemes and calling games," the head coach said. "Last year, there's no doubt, and really for many years, our defense is the heart and soul of what we do. We're looking to have another solid defensive year this year."
Returning to a defense that allowed just 219 points (the third-least amount in the South Central Ohio League last season) are Logan Rhonemus (defensive end), Chris Sellman (linebacker), Shawn Haddox (linebacker), Caleb Rayburn (linebacker), Dylan Trefz (line), Nate Cornett (line), Ryan Faulconer (safety) and a few others at various spots.
"We have a lot of guys, and we've just got to keep moving forward, keep competing and trying to get better," Closson said. "We have all that returning experience on the rest of those spots, so up the middle, we look very strong. We've got some young guys at corner that are going to have to step up and do a great job for us."
MHS has 64 players in the high school program this season, giving them some depth they haven't had the luxury of having in past seasons. There are 21 seniors in total.
"That's the most we've had since I've been the head coach," Closson said. "There were a couple years when I was assistant we had more than that, but since I've been head coach, that's the biggest number.
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"This is the most seniors we've had. It's pretty good. We're real excited about the numbers. It gives us the depth that we need to cover spots and to get kids into positions, and we've got competition, people competing for spots. We're in a good spot right now."
Closson spoke more on the senior class.
"We've always been a team that believes that seniors are the leaders of the team, that they're going to set the tone for practice and are going to set the tone for the season," he said. "Having 21 of them, just a faceless crowd of 21 guys all wanting success, that's powerful."
As for the offense, besides losing a good part of their rushing attack due to graduation, the Tigers have been able to add a runner with speed in Alex Hollar, a sophomore, and have Sellman returning as a power type back.
"We lost (Roscoe) East, who was a big contributor to last year's offensive run game," Closson said. "We've got an offensive line that has some size and has some athleticism to them that's got some experience under their belt as to what they're doing.
"There's a couple other guys we're looking at that are looking really strong to run the ball for us. Dillon Hunick, as a senior tailback, looks like he's got really good speed and seems to be carrying the ball real well for us right now. So we've got some depth there, got some young guys stepping up. It's going to be good."
The offensive line has some growing pains ahead with just two of their five starters back.
"We've got two guys returning from last year," Closson said. "We lost our center, right guard, right tackle, but we have (Nate) Cornett and (Dylan) Trefz back. Those two guys were voted captains by the team. They provide that leadership.
"They're constantly talking to the guys and teaching them the blocking adjustments we make and how we communicate. They're like coaches out there on the field. They can tell the kids maybe in ways that are more creative or more direct to the point for a kid. Those guys, having that knowledge, having that understanding and teaching it, is very helpful."
Returning at quarterback is senior Thomas Schrader, who started all of last season and parts of the '11 campaign.
"We can put more on his shoulders because he's been there, done that, knows what he's doing, got the experience," Closson said of his three-year QB. "He has the command of what we're trying to do offensively, and he's got the presence of 'I've been here guys, follow me,' and take the team and lead us in the right direction.
"Another part is having Coach (Tim) Gossett coaching Thomas, because Coach Gossett does a good job offensively and diversifying what we're doing offensively to keep teams off-balance and really stressing defense. We're excited about it, and again, having Thomas there allows Coach Gossett to take the offense to another level."
On the offensive side, one thing the Tigers are looking for is consistency. The consistency also goes for the special teams.
"We've got to finish drives offensively and not put games in situations where the defense has to win it for you late," Closson said.