High School Football: Week 3 Preview
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
McClain (2-0) vs. Zane Trace (0-2)
Thus far this season, it has been two up, two down for the McClain Tigers as they have won their first two games against Scioto Valley Conference opponents and will look to make it three in a row as they will host the Zane Trace Pioneers this Friday at McClain Field.
The Pioneers enter the game with a record of 0-2 as they have losses to Amanda Clearcreek (31-13) and Logan Elm (42-13).
"This week is a whole new set of challenges than the other two games," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "We have to be prepared regardless of who our opponent is each week. We are just taking this season one game at a time."
Closson said the Pioneers use a Wing-T offense as they will quick-hit along with using the trap, boot, motion and sweep plays in the offense.
"They have a strong rushing attack, and they are very run-based," he said. "Both their offensive and defensive lines are good, and their quarterback (Tyler Hinty) is a run-threat as he can run the ball efficiently.” In two games, Zane Trace has totaled 315 yards rushing, with 204 against Logan Elm.
Fumbles have hurt the Pioneers this season as they have eight offensive fumbles, losing three.
Last week, leading Zane Trace in rushing was Dylan Scaggs with 100 yards on seven carries.
"We have to watch out for their wing back (Scaggs) too because he has a lot of speed," Closson said.
On the defensive side for the Pioneers, they will use five defensive lineman with two linemen and a cover two with their defensive backs.
As for the Tigers, Closson is more than pleased with the defense as they allowed 30 points combined in two games this season.
[[In-content Ad]]"Defensively, we have been playing well," Closson said. "Our kids have experience, and Coach Penwell can do more with the defense."
The head coach still wants to cut down on mistakes and miscues offensively.
"Offensively, we have to improve on not making as many penalties and committing turnovers. We've had too many turnovers this season so far, and that has to stop," Closson said. "What I've been impressed with this team is their continuity as the team has really stepped up this season."
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Hillsboro (0-2) vs. Wilmington (2-0)
The second halves in the first two games haven't been the kindest to the Hillsboro Indians this season.
In the first halves of their two games, the Indians have been outscored 35-21, a difference of 14 points. Then there are the third and fourth quarters, where the Indians have been outscored 47-0.
“We can’t give up scores in the third quarter. When we do that, we are down going into the fourth, and that’s a problem,” HHS head coach Brian Spicer said. “For us, offensively, we’ve had the ball in the red zone in the third but get no points.
“The pick-me-up from scoring those points in the red zone go hand-in-hand, and with those scores, our confidence will go up. We’ve had good third-quarter drives but just have come up empty.”
This week, the Indians host the Wilmington Hurricane of the Southwest Ohio Conference, and thus far, they are 2-0 against the SCOL in the non-league games with wins against Washington (52-6) and Miami Trace (20-14). In those games, the 'Cane (who will join the SCOL in 2014) have outscored Fayette County, 72-20.
In the second half for WHS, they have outscored their opponents 37-13, and in the first half, it has been an advantage of 35-7.
“Wilmington likes to run the ball a lot offensively but will mix in a pass too,” Spicer said. “As for us, defensively we must stop their running game. Defensively, they (WHS) are solid across the line, and they get to the football.”
For WHS, Cody McCune has 227 yards passing, going 17-of-31 (leading the SWOC after two weeks). The WHS quarterback has a 54.8 completion percentage with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Zach Day leads the SWOC in rushing with 344 yards on 38 carries and six touchdowns. His longest run went for 74 yards.
JT Lykins has 82 receiving yards, as the 'Cane as a team are averaging 337 yards of offense per game with 529 yards rushing (223.5 rushing ypg) in the first two games.
Overall, Spicer just wants his team to keep improving each week.
“I like our balance with the run and the pass. We are playing ball control offense, a slow tempo and have done that well,” Spicer said. “We just need to put more points on the board, no question about it. We’ve given up some big plays on tipped passes for touchdowns, so we need to stop that.
“Two or three plays here or there makes a difference. We’ve done well on stopping teams on third and fourth downs, but we must have some early down improvement.”
Thus far this season, it has been two up, two down for the McClain Tigers as they have won their first two games against Scioto Valley Conference opponents and will look to make it three in a row as they will host the Zane Trace Pioneers this Friday at McClain Field.
The Pioneers enter the game with a record of 0-2 as they have losses to Amanda Clearcreek (31-13) and Logan Elm (42-13).
"This week is a whole new set of challenges than the other two games," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "We have to be prepared regardless of who our opponent is each week. We are just taking this season one game at a time."
Closson said the Pioneers use a Wing-T offense as they will quick-hit along with using the trap, boot, motion and sweep plays in the offense.
"They have a strong rushing attack, and they are very run-based," he said. "Both their offensive and defensive lines are good, and their quarterback (Tyler Hinty) is a run-threat as he can run the ball efficiently.” In two games, Zane Trace has totaled 315 yards rushing, with 204 against Logan Elm.
Fumbles have hurt the Pioneers this season as they have eight offensive fumbles, losing three.
Last week, leading Zane Trace in rushing was Dylan Scaggs with 100 yards on seven carries.
"We have to watch out for their wing back (Scaggs) too because he has a lot of speed," Closson said.
On the defensive side for the Pioneers, they will use five defensive lineman with two linemen and a cover two with their defensive backs.
As for the Tigers, Closson is more than pleased with the defense as they allowed 30 points combined in two games this season.
[[In-content Ad]]"Defensively, we have been playing well," Closson said. "Our kids have experience, and Coach Penwell can do more with the defense."
The head coach still wants to cut down on mistakes and miscues offensively.
"Offensively, we have to improve on not making as many penalties and committing turnovers. We've had too many turnovers this season so far, and that has to stop," Closson said. "What I've been impressed with this team is their continuity as the team has really stepped up this season."
- - - -
Hillsboro (0-2) vs. Wilmington (2-0)
The second halves in the first two games haven't been the kindest to the Hillsboro Indians this season.
In the first halves of their two games, the Indians have been outscored 35-21, a difference of 14 points. Then there are the third and fourth quarters, where the Indians have been outscored 47-0.
“We can’t give up scores in the third quarter. When we do that, we are down going into the fourth, and that’s a problem,” HHS head coach Brian Spicer said. “For us, offensively, we’ve had the ball in the red zone in the third but get no points.
“The pick-me-up from scoring those points in the red zone go hand-in-hand, and with those scores, our confidence will go up. We’ve had good third-quarter drives but just have come up empty.”
This week, the Indians host the Wilmington Hurricane of the Southwest Ohio Conference, and thus far, they are 2-0 against the SCOL in the non-league games with wins against Washington (52-6) and Miami Trace (20-14). In those games, the 'Cane (who will join the SCOL in 2014) have outscored Fayette County, 72-20.
In the second half for WHS, they have outscored their opponents 37-13, and in the first half, it has been an advantage of 35-7.
“Wilmington likes to run the ball a lot offensively but will mix in a pass too,” Spicer said. “As for us, defensively we must stop their running game. Defensively, they (WHS) are solid across the line, and they get to the football.”
For WHS, Cody McCune has 227 yards passing, going 17-of-31 (leading the SWOC after two weeks). The WHS quarterback has a 54.8 completion percentage with one touchdown pass and one interception.
Zach Day leads the SWOC in rushing with 344 yards on 38 carries and six touchdowns. His longest run went for 74 yards.
JT Lykins has 82 receiving yards, as the 'Cane as a team are averaging 337 yards of offense per game with 529 yards rushing (223.5 rushing ypg) in the first two games.
Overall, Spicer just wants his team to keep improving each week.
“I like our balance with the run and the pass. We are playing ball control offense, a slow tempo and have done that well,” Spicer said. “We just need to put more points on the board, no question about it. We’ve given up some big plays on tipped passes for touchdowns, so we need to stop that.
“Two or three plays here or there makes a difference. We’ve done well on stopping teams on third and fourth downs, but we must have some early down improvement.”