SCOL Football Notebook: Week 3 Preview
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
It was another week of struggle for the South Central Ohio League in Week 2.
The same three teams that won in the first week of games won in the second week with Clinton-Massie, McClain and Madison-Plains all being winners, each improving to 2-0 on the year.
The other five teams in the league all dropped to 0-2 overall. So for the first two weeks of the season, the SCOL is 6-10 overall, going 3-5 in each of the first two weeks.
This week won't be much easier as the Hillsboro Indians will host the Wilmington Hurricane, along with McClain hosting Zane Trace. Other games include London at West Jefferson, Madison-Plains at Southeastern Local (South Charleston), East Clinton hosting Southeastern out of Ross County, Washington at Adena and Miami Trace at Logan Elm.
But, again, the "game of the week" for the SCOL will involve the Clinton-Massie Falcons at Jonathan Alder in a matchup of two undefeated teams, and safe to say a matchup of two rivals.
Again, like last week, if I could pick a game to watch this Friday that didn't involve Highland County (I'll be at McClain Field when the Tigers host Zane Trace), it would be to see the matchup of the week at Jonathan Alder hosting Clinton-Massie.
Well, with that, let's get into the upcoming games.
• Zane Trace Pioneers (0-2) at McClain Tigers (2-0)
MHS head coach Randy Closson told me this week that this game and each game "is a whole new set of challenges," and Zane Trace is no different. One constant thus far for all three MHS opponents are they are all from the Scioto Valley Conference, as that conference as a group is 9-7 after two weeks with Paint Valley and Piketon as the two lone undefeated teams.
As for the Pioneers, they have been held to 26 points combined, while allowing 73. To read the full preview, click here.
In looking at the Tigers, what has impressed me is their defense, and not just the points allowed or whatnot, but their overall intensity and how they get to the football. So far, they really haven't given up the "big" plays, but their defense has made some of their own. I really like the defensive line play after two weeks.
Prediction: McClain wins.
• Wilmington Hurricane (2-0) at Hillsboro Indians (0-2)
This year hasn't been the start the Indians had hoped for following their impressive final scrimmage against Paint Valley. The first half of games the Indians are competitive.
Against Goshen last week, they allowed a "lucky" touchdown on a tipped ball as they trailed 21-7 at the half instead of 14-7, which changed the momentum of the game.
In the second half, the Indians have been outscored 47-0 in two games combined. Here is the Indians' weekly preview: click here.
My thoughts on Wilmington are ... they too have the ability to make big plays, especially with their running game, and they are a very solid team from what I saw of them in the preseason and from looking at their stat sheets on the SWOC (Southwest Ohio Conference) website.
Prediction: Wilmington wins.
• Clinton-Massie Falcons (2-0) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (2-0)
Both the Falcons and Pioneers are off to great starts. CM has defeated Blanchester and Waynesville, while JA has defeated Thomas Worthington 28-6 and Marysville 30-10, both being Division I teams … JA is Division IV.
In their game against Marysville, JA forced four second-half turnovers en route to their win. Players to watch out for are Derritt Potts (RB) and Andy Foose (QB).
CM has been typical CM, using a tough defense and their running game to gain wins, outscoring their opponents 102-14. They avenged their '11 loss to Waynesville by defeating them 39-14 last week, and this week, they are facing their toughest opponent of the regular season in the Pioneers ... who defeated the Falcons last season 29-28.
In their past seven meetings, results have been:
'05: JA 12, CM 7
'06: JA 16, CM 0
'07: CM 14, JA 9
'08: CM 15, JA 7
'09: CM 10, JA 9
'10: CM 28, JA 27
'11: JA 29, CM 28
Prediction: Clinton-Massie wins.
• London Red Raiders (0-2) at West Jefferson Roughriders (1-1)
One stat which really jumps off the page for the Red Raiders is they have allowed 121 points in the first two games while scoring 21 points offensively.
London's losses are 56-7 to Hamilton Township last week and a 65-14 loss to Urbana in their season opener.
Against Urbana (according to the official London stat sheet), they've totaled 163 yards of offense on 45 plays. What really hurt LHS was losing four fumbles and five total turnovers, as they only had six total first downs.
West Jefferson is coming off a loss to Marion Local (2-0) 44-37. ML also defeated Shawnee 42-28 in Week 1.
Prediction: West Jefferson wins.
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• Madison-Plains Golden Eagles (2-0) at Southeastern Local Trojans (2-0)
The MP Golden Eagles are off to a hot start with two straight wins, but their game on Friday is their toughest test to date as they host a SE Trojan team that has outscored its opponents 110-35 with wins over Northwestern (58-21) and Northridge (52-14).
Last Friday, MP led 35-0 (won 42-12) at the half against Gamble Montessori. For the game, MP totaled six offensive TDs (all rushing) with Stephen Lemieux scoring three and Ryne Davis adding two. Grant Johnson also had one as those three are the main components of the MP offense.
This will be a good final non-conference test for MP.
Prediction: Southeastern Local wins
• Southeastern Panthers (1-1) at East Clinton Astros (0-2)
I feel East Clinton is better than their overall record .. how much better, I don't know.
As for Southeastern out of the SVC … they have scored 55 points but have allowed 88 as they are coming off a loss to Symmes Valley last week by a score of 67-32. SE's win was a two-point victory against Northwest at 23-21.
As for EC, they were even in scoring last week, as their 21-point total came with seven points in each of the second through fourth frames. Their TDs were from two by Max Morrow and one by QB Dalton Floyd. As a team, EC had 280 offensive yards vs. Blanchester.
I haven't seen Southeastern yet this season but did see them play last year at Paint Valley, but that was last year, I guess.
Prediction: East Clinton wins.
• Miami Trace Panthers (0-2) at Logan Elm Braves (1-1)
The Panthers are coming off a close loss to Wilmington (20-14) where they lost the lead very late in the final quarter.
On the other hand ... Logan Elm is coming off a tough loss as well, falling 28-27 to Westfall. Their win this year was in the season opener at Zane Trace where the Braves won easily, 42-13.
Again, like I said earlier about East Clinton … MT is a better team than their overall record, but they faced a tough Circleville Tiger team that has swept Fayette County this season and a strong Wilmington team.
Last week in their loss to Wilmington, their TDs were from QB Jimmy Stroker (a 51-yard TD run in the second quarter) and Jeremiah Jones on a 9-yard run in the fourth. MT lost the lead with 31 seconds left in the game.
In stats posted by the SWOC (in the box score of the Wilmington game), Stroker was 8-of-26 for 86 yards passing (one interception) along with 79 yards on the ground on nine rushes. As a team, MT totaled 177 yards rushing for an offensive total of 263 yards, while the defense allowed 239 yards.
Prediction: Miami Trace wins
• Washington Blue Lions (0-2) at Adena Warriors (1-1)
The Blue Lions are struggling this season to score points as they have added 27 points to their side and allowed 94 in their two games thus far.
Of those 27 points scored by Washington ... 21 were scored last week against Circleville.
One stat that stands out for last week's game is Washington allowed 275 yards rushing vs. Circleville … the problem with that is Adena loves to rush the football.
Adena last week gained their first win, 34-12 over River Valley, with Cade Harper rushing for over 100 yards. The defense allowed under 200 yards total and less than 30 yards rushing.
I saw Adena in their season opener against McClain, and from what I saw, the Warriors will be a tough team to stop offensively with all their rushing weapons as the season continues.
Prediction: Adena wins.
• Last Week's Scores
(August 31, Week 2)
- Unioto 12, McClain 31
- Hillsboro 7, Goshen 41
- Waynesville 14, Clinton-Massie 39
- Blanchester 26, East Clinton 21
- Hamilton Township 56, London 7
- Gamble Montessori 12, Madison-Plains 42
- Circleville 42, Washington 21
- Miami Trace 14, Wilmington 20
• Last Week's Predictions
Last week, in 8 games predicted, I went 7-1. Overall after 16 games, my prediction record is 13-3 following a 6-2 week one performance.
• 5 Things I'd Like to See in Week 3
1. I'd like to see overall improvement from the SCOL in the win column. Only three teams in the league have won games … CM, MP and MHS are 6-0 combined overall after two weeks.
2. I'd like to see a winning overall mark during a non-league week in Week 3 by the SCOL. In the first two weeks, the league is 3-5 in each of those weeks. This week I have the league going 4-4 … I hope I'm at least one game wrong and it is a win.
3. Would be nice to see the SCOL gain more yards via the forward pass, but this is a running league. (FYI … I'm a forward pass junkie …)
4. No secret I want Hillsboro to gain their first win of the year.
5. Since I'm going to cover McClain … I want that game to be competitive, but I'd like to see the Tigers keep improving like they have the first two games. Should be a fun game to watch.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.
The same three teams that won in the first week of games won in the second week with Clinton-Massie, McClain and Madison-Plains all being winners, each improving to 2-0 on the year.
The other five teams in the league all dropped to 0-2 overall. So for the first two weeks of the season, the SCOL is 6-10 overall, going 3-5 in each of the first two weeks.
This week won't be much easier as the Hillsboro Indians will host the Wilmington Hurricane, along with McClain hosting Zane Trace. Other games include London at West Jefferson, Madison-Plains at Southeastern Local (South Charleston), East Clinton hosting Southeastern out of Ross County, Washington at Adena and Miami Trace at Logan Elm.
But, again, the "game of the week" for the SCOL will involve the Clinton-Massie Falcons at Jonathan Alder in a matchup of two undefeated teams, and safe to say a matchup of two rivals.
Again, like last week, if I could pick a game to watch this Friday that didn't involve Highland County (I'll be at McClain Field when the Tigers host Zane Trace), it would be to see the matchup of the week at Jonathan Alder hosting Clinton-Massie.
Well, with that, let's get into the upcoming games.
• Zane Trace Pioneers (0-2) at McClain Tigers (2-0)
MHS head coach Randy Closson told me this week that this game and each game "is a whole new set of challenges," and Zane Trace is no different. One constant thus far for all three MHS opponents are they are all from the Scioto Valley Conference, as that conference as a group is 9-7 after two weeks with Paint Valley and Piketon as the two lone undefeated teams.
As for the Pioneers, they have been held to 26 points combined, while allowing 73. To read the full preview, click here.
In looking at the Tigers, what has impressed me is their defense, and not just the points allowed or whatnot, but their overall intensity and how they get to the football. So far, they really haven't given up the "big" plays, but their defense has made some of their own. I really like the defensive line play after two weeks.
Prediction: McClain wins.
• Wilmington Hurricane (2-0) at Hillsboro Indians (0-2)
This year hasn't been the start the Indians had hoped for following their impressive final scrimmage against Paint Valley. The first half of games the Indians are competitive.
Against Goshen last week, they allowed a "lucky" touchdown on a tipped ball as they trailed 21-7 at the half instead of 14-7, which changed the momentum of the game.
In the second half, the Indians have been outscored 47-0 in two games combined. Here is the Indians' weekly preview: click here.
My thoughts on Wilmington are ... they too have the ability to make big plays, especially with their running game, and they are a very solid team from what I saw of them in the preseason and from looking at their stat sheets on the SWOC (Southwest Ohio Conference) website.
Prediction: Wilmington wins.
• Clinton-Massie Falcons (2-0) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (2-0)
Both the Falcons and Pioneers are off to great starts. CM has defeated Blanchester and Waynesville, while JA has defeated Thomas Worthington 28-6 and Marysville 30-10, both being Division I teams … JA is Division IV.
In their game against Marysville, JA forced four second-half turnovers en route to their win. Players to watch out for are Derritt Potts (RB) and Andy Foose (QB).
CM has been typical CM, using a tough defense and their running game to gain wins, outscoring their opponents 102-14. They avenged their '11 loss to Waynesville by defeating them 39-14 last week, and this week, they are facing their toughest opponent of the regular season in the Pioneers ... who defeated the Falcons last season 29-28.
In their past seven meetings, results have been:
'05: JA 12, CM 7
'06: JA 16, CM 0
'07: CM 14, JA 9
'08: CM 15, JA 7
'09: CM 10, JA 9
'10: CM 28, JA 27
'11: JA 29, CM 28
Prediction: Clinton-Massie wins.
• London Red Raiders (0-2) at West Jefferson Roughriders (1-1)
One stat which really jumps off the page for the Red Raiders is they have allowed 121 points in the first two games while scoring 21 points offensively.
London's losses are 56-7 to Hamilton Township last week and a 65-14 loss to Urbana in their season opener.
Against Urbana (according to the official London stat sheet), they've totaled 163 yards of offense on 45 plays. What really hurt LHS was losing four fumbles and five total turnovers, as they only had six total first downs.
West Jefferson is coming off a loss to Marion Local (2-0) 44-37. ML also defeated Shawnee 42-28 in Week 1.
Prediction: West Jefferson wins.
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• Madison-Plains Golden Eagles (2-0) at Southeastern Local Trojans (2-0)
The MP Golden Eagles are off to a hot start with two straight wins, but their game on Friday is their toughest test to date as they host a SE Trojan team that has outscored its opponents 110-35 with wins over Northwestern (58-21) and Northridge (52-14).
Last Friday, MP led 35-0 (won 42-12) at the half against Gamble Montessori. For the game, MP totaled six offensive TDs (all rushing) with Stephen Lemieux scoring three and Ryne Davis adding two. Grant Johnson also had one as those three are the main components of the MP offense.
This will be a good final non-conference test for MP.
Prediction: Southeastern Local wins
• Southeastern Panthers (1-1) at East Clinton Astros (0-2)
I feel East Clinton is better than their overall record .. how much better, I don't know.
As for Southeastern out of the SVC … they have scored 55 points but have allowed 88 as they are coming off a loss to Symmes Valley last week by a score of 67-32. SE's win was a two-point victory against Northwest at 23-21.
As for EC, they were even in scoring last week, as their 21-point total came with seven points in each of the second through fourth frames. Their TDs were from two by Max Morrow and one by QB Dalton Floyd. As a team, EC had 280 offensive yards vs. Blanchester.
I haven't seen Southeastern yet this season but did see them play last year at Paint Valley, but that was last year, I guess.
Prediction: East Clinton wins.
• Miami Trace Panthers (0-2) at Logan Elm Braves (1-1)
The Panthers are coming off a close loss to Wilmington (20-14) where they lost the lead very late in the final quarter.
On the other hand ... Logan Elm is coming off a tough loss as well, falling 28-27 to Westfall. Their win this year was in the season opener at Zane Trace where the Braves won easily, 42-13.
Again, like I said earlier about East Clinton … MT is a better team than their overall record, but they faced a tough Circleville Tiger team that has swept Fayette County this season and a strong Wilmington team.
Last week in their loss to Wilmington, their TDs were from QB Jimmy Stroker (a 51-yard TD run in the second quarter) and Jeremiah Jones on a 9-yard run in the fourth. MT lost the lead with 31 seconds left in the game.
In stats posted by the SWOC (in the box score of the Wilmington game), Stroker was 8-of-26 for 86 yards passing (one interception) along with 79 yards on the ground on nine rushes. As a team, MT totaled 177 yards rushing for an offensive total of 263 yards, while the defense allowed 239 yards.
Prediction: Miami Trace wins
• Washington Blue Lions (0-2) at Adena Warriors (1-1)
The Blue Lions are struggling this season to score points as they have added 27 points to their side and allowed 94 in their two games thus far.
Of those 27 points scored by Washington ... 21 were scored last week against Circleville.
One stat that stands out for last week's game is Washington allowed 275 yards rushing vs. Circleville … the problem with that is Adena loves to rush the football.
Adena last week gained their first win, 34-12 over River Valley, with Cade Harper rushing for over 100 yards. The defense allowed under 200 yards total and less than 30 yards rushing.
I saw Adena in their season opener against McClain, and from what I saw, the Warriors will be a tough team to stop offensively with all their rushing weapons as the season continues.
Prediction: Adena wins.
• Last Week's Scores
(August 31, Week 2)
- Unioto 12, McClain 31
- Hillsboro 7, Goshen 41
- Waynesville 14, Clinton-Massie 39
- Blanchester 26, East Clinton 21
- Hamilton Township 56, London 7
- Gamble Montessori 12, Madison-Plains 42
- Circleville 42, Washington 21
- Miami Trace 14, Wilmington 20
• Last Week's Predictions
Last week, in 8 games predicted, I went 7-1. Overall after 16 games, my prediction record is 13-3 following a 6-2 week one performance.
• 5 Things I'd Like to See in Week 3
1. I'd like to see overall improvement from the SCOL in the win column. Only three teams in the league have won games … CM, MP and MHS are 6-0 combined overall after two weeks.
2. I'd like to see a winning overall mark during a non-league week in Week 3 by the SCOL. In the first two weeks, the league is 3-5 in each of those weeks. This week I have the league going 4-4 … I hope I'm at least one game wrong and it is a win.
3. Would be nice to see the SCOL gain more yards via the forward pass, but this is a running league. (FYI … I'm a forward pass junkie …)
4. No secret I want Hillsboro to gain their first win of the year.
5. Since I'm going to cover McClain … I want that game to be competitive, but I'd like to see the Tigers keep improving like they have the first two games. Should be a fun game to watch.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.