SCOL Football Notebook: Week 1 Preview
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The 2012 high school football season has officially arrived, and with scrimmages and previews out of the way, it is now time for all eight South Central Ohio League teams to start their non-league season in Week 1.
Here is a quick game-by-game look at the upcoming week of football for the SCOL as all eight league teams will be playing in non-league games the first three weeks of the season. SCOL games will begin Week 4. And for fun, let's add some predictions as well.
- Urbana at London
The Red Raiders and Urbana have proven the past two seasons that they know how to make a game interesting and very close when they face each other. This is usually one of the better games of the season in terms of the score being close, from what I'm told. LHS enters the game with many new starters, and this first game of the year will be a good test for the Red Raiders.
Prediction: Urbana wins
- Cedarville at Madison-Plains
The Madison-Plains Golden Eagles are out to prove many folks wrong this season and show they have the capabilities of being a winning football team. I like the skill players this team has, and their offensive line keeps improving. This was a win for the Golden Eagles last year, and they have the right attitude as they enter Week 1 of the regular season.
Prediction: Madison-Plains wins
- Clinton-Massie at Blanchester
It's always fun to get a season started against a county rival, and that's exactly what's happening with the Falcons and Wildcats Friday night. To be honest, the Falcons are just a much stronger team than Blanchester (and many other teams) as the season is set to begin. CM returns two running backs who each rushed for well over 1,000 yards each last season, and I don't see this year being any different.
Prediction: Clinton-Massie wins
- East Clinton at Waynesville
This will be a tough game for the Astros as they enter the '12 season with many new starters on both sides on the field, plus traditionally Waynesville is a very tough matchup for all the teams on their schedule. It will be the first game as a member of the SCOL for East Clinton.
Prediction: Waynesville wins
- Hillsboro at Western Brown
I don't know much about the Broncos of Western Brown except they are replacing some key players from the team that defeated HHS last season. What I do know from what I've watched this preseason with the Indians is this isn't the same team we all watched last season. This HHS team will play with great energy, and they feel they have a lot to prove this season.
Prediction: Hillsboro wins
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- McClain at Adena
The Tigers must stay healthy this season to gain wins … that is a well-known fact. In Week 1, they are taking the field as healthy as they've been at a start of the season in at least four years. Like their Highland County counterpart, the Tigers are hungry and want to get off to a positive start in 2012. With 11 seniors and underclassmen who will be looked at to produce on the field right now, this will be an interesting team to watch if they all can stay on the field this season. As for the Warriors, it's no secret they will run and run the ball for a majority of the game. MHS must stop the run if they want to win.
Prediction: McClain wins
- Washington at Wilmington
I've had the chance to see both of these teams, either during practice, scrimmage games or both. Washington is replacing a lot of players, and the Wilmington offense has looked strong from what I've had the chance to see. The Hurricane like to mix things up offensively with a mix of run and pass, and their speed could be a problem for teams in '12. The Blue Lions are also relying on their speed for success this season.
Prediction: Wilmington wins
- Circleville vs. Miami Trace
It is a new start … a new era for the Panthers in '12 as they are set to "Rebuild Tradition" this year. The Panthers have a new coach in Steve Bartlett, and they are not afraid to work for a win as it was easy to see this preseason. MT returns a lot of their core players from last season and have the chance to do something good on the field in Week 1.
Prediction: Miami Trace wins
• 5 Things I'd Like To Happen This Friday
1. I'd like to see the SCOL finish Week 1 with a winning record for the league in non-league play.
2. I'd like to see both Highland County teams be competitive to open the season, especially after their struggles one year ago.
3. I'd like to see the Miami Trace Panthers get on the right track in their goal of "Rebuilding Tradition." It would be good for not only them, but the entire SCOL.
4. I'd like to see all the teams leave the field healthy because if some of the aforementioned teams do lose players, it could linger for an entire season.
5. I'd like to see the stands packed and fans ready to watch some high school football. Have fun, everyone.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. Follow Stephen on Twitter every Friday night @hcpsportseditor. Read the HCP online every weekend for complete high school football coverage of the SCOL.
Here is a quick game-by-game look at the upcoming week of football for the SCOL as all eight league teams will be playing in non-league games the first three weeks of the season. SCOL games will begin Week 4. And for fun, let's add some predictions as well.
- Urbana at London
The Red Raiders and Urbana have proven the past two seasons that they know how to make a game interesting and very close when they face each other. This is usually one of the better games of the season in terms of the score being close, from what I'm told. LHS enters the game with many new starters, and this first game of the year will be a good test for the Red Raiders.
Prediction: Urbana wins
- Cedarville at Madison-Plains
The Madison-Plains Golden Eagles are out to prove many folks wrong this season and show they have the capabilities of being a winning football team. I like the skill players this team has, and their offensive line keeps improving. This was a win for the Golden Eagles last year, and they have the right attitude as they enter Week 1 of the regular season.
Prediction: Madison-Plains wins
- Clinton-Massie at Blanchester
It's always fun to get a season started against a county rival, and that's exactly what's happening with the Falcons and Wildcats Friday night. To be honest, the Falcons are just a much stronger team than Blanchester (and many other teams) as the season is set to begin. CM returns two running backs who each rushed for well over 1,000 yards each last season, and I don't see this year being any different.
Prediction: Clinton-Massie wins
- East Clinton at Waynesville
This will be a tough game for the Astros as they enter the '12 season with many new starters on both sides on the field, plus traditionally Waynesville is a very tough matchup for all the teams on their schedule. It will be the first game as a member of the SCOL for East Clinton.
Prediction: Waynesville wins
- Hillsboro at Western Brown
I don't know much about the Broncos of Western Brown except they are replacing some key players from the team that defeated HHS last season. What I do know from what I've watched this preseason with the Indians is this isn't the same team we all watched last season. This HHS team will play with great energy, and they feel they have a lot to prove this season.
Prediction: Hillsboro wins
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- McClain at Adena
The Tigers must stay healthy this season to gain wins … that is a well-known fact. In Week 1, they are taking the field as healthy as they've been at a start of the season in at least four years. Like their Highland County counterpart, the Tigers are hungry and want to get off to a positive start in 2012. With 11 seniors and underclassmen who will be looked at to produce on the field right now, this will be an interesting team to watch if they all can stay on the field this season. As for the Warriors, it's no secret they will run and run the ball for a majority of the game. MHS must stop the run if they want to win.
Prediction: McClain wins
- Washington at Wilmington
I've had the chance to see both of these teams, either during practice, scrimmage games or both. Washington is replacing a lot of players, and the Wilmington offense has looked strong from what I've had the chance to see. The Hurricane like to mix things up offensively with a mix of run and pass, and their speed could be a problem for teams in '12. The Blue Lions are also relying on their speed for success this season.
Prediction: Wilmington wins
- Circleville vs. Miami Trace
It is a new start … a new era for the Panthers in '12 as they are set to "Rebuild Tradition" this year. The Panthers have a new coach in Steve Bartlett, and they are not afraid to work for a win as it was easy to see this preseason. MT returns a lot of their core players from last season and have the chance to do something good on the field in Week 1.
Prediction: Miami Trace wins
• 5 Things I'd Like To Happen This Friday
1. I'd like to see the SCOL finish Week 1 with a winning record for the league in non-league play.
2. I'd like to see both Highland County teams be competitive to open the season, especially after their struggles one year ago.
3. I'd like to see the Miami Trace Panthers get on the right track in their goal of "Rebuilding Tradition." It would be good for not only them, but the entire SCOL.
4. I'd like to see all the teams leave the field healthy because if some of the aforementioned teams do lose players, it could linger for an entire season.
5. I'd like to see the stands packed and fans ready to watch some high school football. Have fun, everyone.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. Follow Stephen on Twitter every Friday night @hcpsportseditor. Read the HCP online every weekend for complete high school football coverage of the SCOL.