Tigers unable to overcome injuries; fall to Zane Trace on homecoming

GREENFIELD — The McClain Tigers entered their homecoming game versus Zane Trace with more than a few players injured, but they took a couple more big hits in the injury category in the first half.

Injuries to starting running back/linebacker Ryan Faulconer (nine carries, 35 yards)and lineman Brandon Nebbergall, mixed with a strong Pioneers running game, was a mixture of disaster for the Tigers, falling in the non-conference matchup, 33-21.

The loss puts the Tigers at 0-3 overall, with all the losses to the Scioto Valley Conference. Last season, the Tigers were 3-0 in their first three games against the SVC.

"We are sure bitten by the injury bug right now," MHS head coach Randy Closson said. "It seems like each week we get a guy back, then we lose another kid. I feel bad for the kids, because they work hard and they want to play, but just get injured.

"At the same time, other kids get in and step up. They get involved, and we had to play some young guys and reshuffle our offense a bit to account for losing our center and with Ryan coming out of the game. It is hard to replace someone with the talent and ability that he has, and what he brings to the field in all aspects of the game."

McClain senior Shelby Dodds was crowned as the 2014 homecoming queen before the game, as students and alumni celebrated the annual event.

As for the Tigers, they trailed 16-0 at halftime and didn't score until they trailed by 23 points in the third.

The game saw ZT gain 468 yards of offense, with 434 on the ground on 53 carries. MHS totaled 253 yards of offense, 154 yards rushing and 99 yards passing.

The first score for MHS came with 9:27 left in the third with a 76-yard run by senior Alex Hollar on a first-and-10 play from their own 24-yard line. Hollar's run began with a sweep to the left side of the field, then he rushed down the sideline of the Pioneers, cut to the middle of the field and raced untouched to the end zone.

Hollar finished with 83 yards rushing on seven carries, along with 40 yards receiving on four receptions, and he had one pass completion for 20 yards.

Adding up all of his offensive and special teams yards, Hollar's total yardage was 258 yards, including 115 yards of kickoff return yardage.

It wasn't until there was 2:36 left in the fourth when the Tigers reached pay dirt for the second time when Hollar raced his way 80 yards to the end zone for six points on a kickoff return.

After Tristan Pitzer recovered an onside kick for the Tigers, he was part of their final touchdown when he went 15 yards to the end zone for six points with 52.9 left in the game. Pitzer's run was off a sweep to the left side of the field.

Hollar tacked on two points with a 2-point conversion run.

"Our kids kept fighting and kept playing, and for that, we are proud of the kids," Closson said. "We certainly hoped for a better outcome with it being homecoming and all the festivities, but it is what it is.

"We knew we were young and inexperienced in a lot of spots, and we are taking some lumps and getting better."

Now that was the good for the Tigers … most of the game was controlled by the visiting Pioneers, who scored three points on the first drive with Nathan Nesser kicking a 30-yard field goal with 7:17 left in the first for a then 3-0 lead.

When MHS got possession of the ball, they eventually fumbled on a snap, with Aidan Place recovering the ball for the Pioneers on the MHS 19-yard line. Three plays later, Trey Rittenhouse took the ball on a 5-yard trip to the right corner of the end zone on first-and-goal. A PAT by Nesser put ZT ahead, 10-0.

Rittenhouse led all rushers with 16 carries for 165 yards. He averaged 10.3 yards per carry.

An interception thrown by the Tigers eventually led to another six points for the Pioneers, with Rittenhouse racing 45 yards on a second-and-7 play, maneuvering around defenders until he was able to run safely to the end zone with 3:28 left in the second quarter.

The PAT was blocked by Josh Todd to leave the MHS deficit at 16 points (16-0).

For the second time in the game, the Tigers were left scoreless in the red zone with 3:10 left in the second quarter.

Later in the second, MHS gained possession of the ball in the previous drive on a fumble recovery by Randall Mischal with 1:54 left in the second. MHS was unable to add any points.

Hollar ended the first half by intercepting a ZT pass on the 8-yard line.

On their first possession in the third, it took ZT three plays to add to their lead and take a 23-0 advantage. On a third-and-three play, Rittenhouse raced 54 yards for a touchdown with 9:51 left in the quarter. The PAT was converted by Nesser.

With 5:33 left in the third, ZT added three more points with a 28-yard field goal from Nesser, leading then by a 26-7 score.

The final points by ZT came with 2:49 left in the fourth as Austin Harris ran three yards for the TD. Nesser made another PAT for what was a 33-7 lead.