Tigers lose 4th consecutive game; fall to Blue Lions on homecoming

GREENFIELD — The second half of the McClain Tigers' homecoming wasn't anything to celebrate about, if you were rooting for the home team. McClain couldn't find a productive rhythm and as a result came their fourth consecutive loss.

On the other hand, the visiting Washington Blue Lions, back from what head coach Corey Dye described as a "horrific loss," controlled the pace of the second half, leading to a 28-12 defeat of the Tigers this Friday in week seven.

MHS senior Brittany Harris was crowned homecoming queen as part of McClain's weeklong celebration.

McClain (0-4, 3-4) scored all 12 of their points in the first half, while the Blue Lions (2-1, 4-3) had 14 points in each half.

Coach Dye spoke about overcoming a big loss they suffered last week to Bishop Ready.

"I had a good feeling this week about our team," he said. "We bounced back from the horrific loss last week, and to be honest, I worried about how we would react before the week began.

"On Monday, the kids were ready to go, and they learned what the true word of resiliency means. It was a nice life lesson."

For the Tigers, it just wasn't a consistent night on either side of the ball, especially in the second half where they were forced to punt twice, while being unable to convert on fourth downs on two occasions and having two interceptions in their six offensive possessions in the second half.

At halftime, the Tigers trailed 14-12.

"This game was a battle," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "We played well in the first half, but in the second half, Washington's defense was lights out. We couldn't get our offense in any rhythm.

"We knew Tye Smith and Travis Leisure were a handful, and they were, and unfortunately they got the best of us (Friday)."

The Blue Lions totaled 383 yards of total offense, with Smith rushing for 143 yards on 27 carries (5.3 yards per carry). Leisure caught five passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. Washington quarterback Josh Williams was 11-of-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

"Tye, Josh, Travis … and the front line in the trenches, they all played well," Dye said. "We knew Greenfield's heart and soul was their defense, so we had to pass the ball because their defense is stingy.

"Josh made some heads-up calls … he saw a wide receiver open, and he was able to capitalize. Also, Malik Pettiford played a nice game for us."

As for the Blue Lions allowing 12 points in the first half, Dye said he challenged his defense at the break.

"I challenged the defense to step up their play at halftime, and they did a much better job in the second half," he said. "That's the beauty of football … it is four quarters, and there is room to improve."

In the competitive first half, the Blue Lions were first to score, compiling a 12-play, 69-yard drive which was full of small, but effective plays which chipped away at the Tigers' defense.

The opening drive ended with Smith rushing for a 1-yard score with 7:19 left in the quarter. The PAT by Noah Mesker put the Blue Lions ahead, 7-0.

McClain answered with a 10-play, 77-yard drive for six points when Thomas Schrader rushed for an 8-yard score on a quarterback keeper with 2:51 left in the opening quarter.

The Tigers' opening drive included a 39-yard rush by Schrader and an 11-yard run by Ryan Faulconer.

Washington answered two possessions later as they tallied seven more points on a 15-play, 93-yard drive that included a 32-yard dump pass to Kyle Garrett, a 12-yard pass to Leisure and a 15-yard run by Smith that later was capped off on a third-and-8, 8-yard pass to the end zone to Pettiford with 3:35 left in the second quarter.

The second PAT by Mesker put Washington ahead, 14-6.

Again, McClain answered with six points as they scored a 31-yard touchdown pass from Schrader to Alex Hollar with 1:40 left in the first half. The two-point conversion was incomplete for the two-point halftime differential.

For the game, the Tigers totaled 291 yards of offense, with Schrader going 7-of-14 for 83 yards and a touchdown. Hollar had six receptions for 83 yards. Schrader led the Tigers with 127 yards on 23 carries for a 5.5 ypc.

Again, it came down to the second half that was all Washington.

"They (WCH) did a good job of bringing pressure," Closson said. "We could't pick it up, and our mistakes hit us."

The Blue Lions scored on their first drive of the first half when Leisure caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Williams with 7:19 left in the third. Mesker converted his third PAT for a 21-12 advantage.

Washington's final score came with 10:32 left in the fourth as Alec Sparkman caught a 3-yard pass for the score and an eventual 28-12 lead when Mesker went 4-for-4 on PATs.

"Hats off to Greenfield and to Coach Closson," Dye said. "He's a great coach, and this was a hard-hitting game."

The Blue Lions will host the Clinton-Massie Falcons next Friday, while the Tigers are scheduled to host the Miami Trace Panthers in week eight.

GAME NOTES:Leisure and Seth Haines each had an interception for Washington … WCH totaled 191 yards rushing … MHS had 208 yards rushing … MHS blocked a field goal … Randal Mischal had a tackle for a 6-yard loss for the Tigers … Faulconer had a forced fumble and recovery for MHS ... The McClain Tigers held a moment of silence for Hall of Fame broadcaster and Highland County native Ernie B. Blankenship, who passed away earlier this week.