Tigers flat against Pioneers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — Not having their usual energy and intensity they've had the previous two weeks, the McClain Tigers didn't get into their usual rhythm. Mix that with penalties that kept drives alive for the Zane Trace Pioneers and unable to convert on fourth down … it just didn't add up for the home team.
All of those factors, along with injuries, equaled a 17-12 non-league loss to the Pioneers Friday night at McClain Field, as the loss was the first of the season of MHS, and the win was the first for Zane Trace this season.
"We knew Zane Trace was going to be a solid running team … they didn't do anything we didn't practice for, but they executed their stuff better than we could defend it," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "I'm really disappointed with the mindset our team came out with (Friday).
"We were flat all night, played with no energy … it's just disturbing. It's upsetting knowing what work these kids have put in and come out flat like we played pretty much the entire game."
Even with the total 65 yards in penalties (three personal fouls in the first half alone), the Tigers (2-1) led 12-10 after the first two quarters, but a 35-yard run by ZT senior Dylan Skaggs on the first drive of the third quarter, along with a PAT by junior Connor Smith, put the Pioneers (1-2) ahead for good.
For the game, ZT (1-2) totaled 197 yards of offense (129 rushing on 29 carries), while MHS totaled 247 yards of offense, including 146 yards on the ground on 39 carries.
Not to say the Tigers didn't have chances ... they did, including gaining possession of the ball with 5:24 left in the fourth on their own 47-yard line.
On the first play of that drive, Roscoe (Dillon) East (56 total rushing yards) gained 10 yards on a run, followed by a 5-yard run by Thomas Schrader. East followed with three more yards, and on fourth down, after Schrader kept the play going with a scramble in the backfield, he found East open for 6 yards and a first down.
With the ball on the Zane Trace 30-yard line, Sellman (43 total rushing yards) and East combined for 8 yards rushing, and on third-and-two, Schrader gained 11 yards on a fake handoff.
As the clock read 1:16, East moved the ball 3 yards, and Schrader went six yards on another QB keeper on a fake handoff, leaving 39.2 and a third-and-inches play.
MHS had two chances to gain a first down, needing just inches, but on third down (on the 5-yard line), Schrader was sacked in the backfield (a 4-yard loss) as he was looking for an open receiver on a passing play. Then, on fourth down (on the 9-yard line), the pass was incomplete, tipping off the receivers' hands, giving ZT the win.
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For the game Schrader passed for 101 yards, going 7-of-17 with no interceptions.
"We had opportunities … but some big plays were brought back due to penalties. We have to make plays … we were in position to make plays, but unfortunately this week we weren't in school, our routines weren't where we needed them to be," Closson said. "I preach to the kids to get their rest, but I don't think they got it this week. They saw an 0-2 team that was coming to our place and overlooked them."
The first half was a different story for MHS as they were able to overcome some of the penalties to take a two-point lead into the locker room of a game that was delayed by inclement weather.
The Tigers scored on the game's first possession as they put together a four-play, 53-yard scoring play that lasted under 2 minutes when Shaun Haddox caught a 30-yard pass, followed by a 5-yard run by East. On second-and-five on the 10-yard line, Sellman went through the defense and dove into the end zone for a 6-0 Tiger advantage with 10:07 left in the opening quarter, as the 2-point conversion attempt was no good.
ZT answered six plays later as they took a 7-6 lead as junior Nate Mettler went 32 yards to the end zone on a wide-open pass from Tyler Hinty with 7:20 on the first-quarter clock. A PAT by Smith put ZT ahead. Hinty totaled 68 yards passing, going 6-for-11.
WIth 31.5 left in the first, Smith put ZT ahead by four points with a 41-yard field goal.
Leading ZT in rushing was Colin Swackhamer, who rushed for 64 yards on 18 carries.
That lead stood until there was 3:14 left in the opening half, as MHS went 31 yards in seven plays when Jordan Goble opened the drive with an 11-yard gain on a reverse, and the drive ended with Schrader scoring on a reverse of sorts, changing direction during his run to the left side of the end zone in second-and-goal on the 6-yard line. Again, the 2-point conversion was no good.
"We extended their drives for them all night, and they did a good job of taking advantage of our mistakes," Closson said. "That came from our mindset from the get-go. After the first drive … from there, (Zane Trace) had the momentum and energy, and we were flat."
It won't be any easier next week for the Tigers as they begin their South Central Ohio League slate. MHS will host defending SCOL champion and 3-0 Clinton-Massie at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.
"We have to come next week with a better mindset for football," Closson said.
GAME NOTES: For ZT, Chase Kellough had one catch for 21 yards … Trevor Gossett (MHS) had two receptions for 14 yards but left the game with an injury … Also injured in the first half was Haddox … Isaac Savage had one catch for 10 yards.
All of those factors, along with injuries, equaled a 17-12 non-league loss to the Pioneers Friday night at McClain Field, as the loss was the first of the season of MHS, and the win was the first for Zane Trace this season.
"We knew Zane Trace was going to be a solid running team … they didn't do anything we didn't practice for, but they executed their stuff better than we could defend it," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "I'm really disappointed with the mindset our team came out with (Friday).
"We were flat all night, played with no energy … it's just disturbing. It's upsetting knowing what work these kids have put in and come out flat like we played pretty much the entire game."
Even with the total 65 yards in penalties (three personal fouls in the first half alone), the Tigers (2-1) led 12-10 after the first two quarters, but a 35-yard run by ZT senior Dylan Skaggs on the first drive of the third quarter, along with a PAT by junior Connor Smith, put the Pioneers (1-2) ahead for good.
For the game, ZT (1-2) totaled 197 yards of offense (129 rushing on 29 carries), while MHS totaled 247 yards of offense, including 146 yards on the ground on 39 carries.
Not to say the Tigers didn't have chances ... they did, including gaining possession of the ball with 5:24 left in the fourth on their own 47-yard line.
On the first play of that drive, Roscoe (Dillon) East (56 total rushing yards) gained 10 yards on a run, followed by a 5-yard run by Thomas Schrader. East followed with three more yards, and on fourth down, after Schrader kept the play going with a scramble in the backfield, he found East open for 6 yards and a first down.
With the ball on the Zane Trace 30-yard line, Sellman (43 total rushing yards) and East combined for 8 yards rushing, and on third-and-two, Schrader gained 11 yards on a fake handoff.
As the clock read 1:16, East moved the ball 3 yards, and Schrader went six yards on another QB keeper on a fake handoff, leaving 39.2 and a third-and-inches play.
MHS had two chances to gain a first down, needing just inches, but on third down (on the 5-yard line), Schrader was sacked in the backfield (a 4-yard loss) as he was looking for an open receiver on a passing play. Then, on fourth down (on the 9-yard line), the pass was incomplete, tipping off the receivers' hands, giving ZT the win.
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For the game Schrader passed for 101 yards, going 7-of-17 with no interceptions.
"We had opportunities … but some big plays were brought back due to penalties. We have to make plays … we were in position to make plays, but unfortunately this week we weren't in school, our routines weren't where we needed them to be," Closson said. "I preach to the kids to get their rest, but I don't think they got it this week. They saw an 0-2 team that was coming to our place and overlooked them."
The first half was a different story for MHS as they were able to overcome some of the penalties to take a two-point lead into the locker room of a game that was delayed by inclement weather.
The Tigers scored on the game's first possession as they put together a four-play, 53-yard scoring play that lasted under 2 minutes when Shaun Haddox caught a 30-yard pass, followed by a 5-yard run by East. On second-and-five on the 10-yard line, Sellman went through the defense and dove into the end zone for a 6-0 Tiger advantage with 10:07 left in the opening quarter, as the 2-point conversion attempt was no good.
ZT answered six plays later as they took a 7-6 lead as junior Nate Mettler went 32 yards to the end zone on a wide-open pass from Tyler Hinty with 7:20 on the first-quarter clock. A PAT by Smith put ZT ahead. Hinty totaled 68 yards passing, going 6-for-11.
WIth 31.5 left in the first, Smith put ZT ahead by four points with a 41-yard field goal.
Leading ZT in rushing was Colin Swackhamer, who rushed for 64 yards on 18 carries.
That lead stood until there was 3:14 left in the opening half, as MHS went 31 yards in seven plays when Jordan Goble opened the drive with an 11-yard gain on a reverse, and the drive ended with Schrader scoring on a reverse of sorts, changing direction during his run to the left side of the end zone in second-and-goal on the 6-yard line. Again, the 2-point conversion was no good.
"We extended their drives for them all night, and they did a good job of taking advantage of our mistakes," Closson said. "That came from our mindset from the get-go. After the first drive … from there, (Zane Trace) had the momentum and energy, and we were flat."
It won't be any easier next week for the Tigers as they begin their South Central Ohio League slate. MHS will host defending SCOL champion and 3-0 Clinton-Massie at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.
"We have to come next week with a better mindset for football," Closson said.
GAME NOTES: For ZT, Chase Kellough had one catch for 21 yards … Trevor Gossett (MHS) had two receptions for 14 yards but left the game with an injury … Also injured in the first half was Haddox … Isaac Savage had one catch for 10 yards.