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Week 7 Football Preview: Undefeated Falcons invade McClain Field

By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — The best team in the past five years of the South Central Ohio League, the Clinton-Massie Falcons are coming to McClain Field this Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
So far this season, the Associated Press state-ranked Falcons are as advertised.
They will kickoff against the Tigers with a 28-game regular-season winning streak, while coming off a 49-0 win last week against the London Red Raiders. Earlier in the season, the Red Raiders defeated the Tigers, 55-0, scoring 21 points in their first seven offensive plays.
For the season, the Massie defense has allowed just 58 points, with the offense scoring 303 for their 6-0 overall record.
CM hasn't lost in the SCOL since 2007 (vs. Washington).
What will the four-win Men of McClain have to do to stop the smash-mouth, grind-it-out style of play of the Falcons?
"We are going to have to maintain drives, limit their opportunities and run the clock," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "They (CM) will wear you down with their running game, so we have to limit their carries and maintain the ball. That's the key."
The offense returned the following players from last season: senior Jordan Scanlon (5-10, 205), senior Gunner Calhoun (6-2, 220), junior Brad Burges (TE), junior Jared Salsbury (RT), senior Jordan Phillips (LG), senior Jake Richardson (QB), senior Taylor Luckett (SE), second-team All-State senior Mike Stenger (6-3, 305, LT) and senior Scott Wilkie (FB).
"They (CM) are one of the strongest teams we play all season," Closson said. "Their offensive line is strong, and this is one of their best teams they've had in quite a while."
Leading the ground game is Scanlon, who is on a tear this season. This season, Scanlon leads the SCOL in rushing with 1,316 yards on 135 carries. He pounded his way for 307 yards last week at London, with four touchdowns (ranging from one yard to 65 yards).
Last season, Scanlon had 2,020 yards for the Falcons.
Before the season, Calhoun talked about how playing for the Falcons meant a lot to him.
"It feels nice because a lot of people look up to what we do," Scanlon said. "We can't let the community or the school down. Knowing the team and coaches have enough trust in me is a lot of pressure, but it is fun to have. I'd rather have all the pressures than do nothing at all."
The CM offense isn't complicated, but it is very tough to stop. They use a base wishbone, with multiple sets.
In the preseason, CM head coach Dan McSurley said they run out of the I-Formation, and that is who they are.
Other big-time runners for CM include Gunner Calhoun and Scott Wilkie.
The Falcons' closest game this season was a one-point win over the Jonathan Alder Pioneers, 28-27 in week three.
One of the biggest advantages the Falcons have over any team they play is their ability to play players on just one side of the football, except for the occasional couple players who play both offense and defense.
"It’s hard to stay at their level of intensity when they have the numbers and the talent to play kids on just one side of the ball," Closson said. "We have to limit that as much as possible and maintain our possessions. The way they are able to rotate players all throughout the game makes it challenging.
"We have to maintain focus, but be disciplined. We can't let adversity cause more adversity. Last week, one bad thing led to another bad thing, and that can't happen against Massie."
But in the head-to-head matchup since CM entered the SCOL in 2005, the Falcons have outscored the Tigers 211-40, with a '09 defeat of the Tigers at 40-0. The closest the Tigers have come to victory against CM was in '06 at 35-21 in a losing effort.
Scores since 2005 in the series are: 44-0, 35-21, 38-3, 54-16 and 40-0.
"Their linebackers are unbelievable," Closson said. "They are fast and fill the running lanes well. 
Their defensive ends are strong and pursue the football. All-around, their defense are outstanding tacklers."
The Tigers (1-2, 4-2) are coming off a 40-20 loss to the undefeated Washington Blue Lions at Gardner Park. The Tigers led 20-12 at the half but were shut down and made costly mistakes and penalties in the final two quarters.
The Blue Lions held the Tigers’ offensive attack in check by holding Zach Matracia to just 25 yards on the ground. Matracia entered last week's game with 687 yards. He currently has 712 yards on 81 attempts. Matracia did have a 70-yard reception last week.
"I think Washington C.H. is good, and playing them can help prepare for a team like Clinton-Massie. We just have to stay focused."
Since his return two games ago, Camron Cooper has put a spark in the Tigers' offense, but like his teammate, was held back by the Blue Lion defensive attack going 7 of 22 for 134 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Most of the second half against Washington, Cooper had little time to look for open receivers.
"Camron is a big play maker," Closson said. "He does a great job, and he brings a level of confidence we need to the field."
GREENFIELD — The best team in the past five years of the South Central Ohio League, the Clinton-Massie Falcons are coming to McClain Field this Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
So far this season, the Associated Press state-ranked Falcons are as advertised.
They will kickoff against the Tigers with a 28-game regular-season winning streak, while coming off a 49-0 win last week against the London Red Raiders. Earlier in the season, the Red Raiders defeated the Tigers, 55-0, scoring 21 points in their first seven offensive plays.
For the season, the Massie defense has allowed just 58 points, with the offense scoring 303 for their 6-0 overall record.
CM hasn't lost in the SCOL since 2007 (vs. Washington).
What will the four-win Men of McClain have to do to stop the smash-mouth, grind-it-out style of play of the Falcons?
"We are going to have to maintain drives, limit their opportunities and run the clock," McClain head coach Randy Closson said. "They (CM) will wear you down with their running game, so we have to limit their carries and maintain the ball. That's the key."
The offense returned the following players from last season: senior Jordan Scanlon (5-10, 205), senior Gunner Calhoun (6-2, 220), junior Brad Burges (TE), junior Jared Salsbury (RT), senior Jordan Phillips (LG), senior Jake Richardson (QB), senior Taylor Luckett (SE), second-team All-State senior Mike Stenger (6-3, 305, LT) and senior Scott Wilkie (FB).
"They (CM) are one of the strongest teams we play all season," Closson said. "Their offensive line is strong, and this is one of their best teams they've had in quite a while."
Leading the ground game is Scanlon, who is on a tear this season. This season, Scanlon leads the SCOL in rushing with 1,316 yards on 135 carries. He pounded his way for 307 yards last week at London, with four touchdowns (ranging from one yard to 65 yards).
Last season, Scanlon had 2,020 yards for the Falcons.
Before the season, Calhoun talked about how playing for the Falcons meant a lot to him.
"It feels nice because a lot of people look up to what we do," Scanlon said. "We can't let the community or the school down. Knowing the team and coaches have enough trust in me is a lot of pressure, but it is fun to have. I'd rather have all the pressures than do nothing at all."
The CM offense isn't complicated, but it is very tough to stop. They use a base wishbone, with multiple sets.
In the preseason, CM head coach Dan McSurley said they run out of the I-Formation, and that is who they are.
Other big-time runners for CM include Gunner Calhoun and Scott Wilkie.
The Falcons' closest game this season was a one-point win over the Jonathan Alder Pioneers, 28-27 in week three.
One of the biggest advantages the Falcons have over any team they play is their ability to play players on just one side of the football, except for the occasional couple players who play both offense and defense.
"It’s hard to stay at their level of intensity when they have the numbers and the talent to play kids on just one side of the ball," Closson said. "We have to limit that as much as possible and maintain our possessions. The way they are able to rotate players all throughout the game makes it challenging.
"We have to maintain focus, but be disciplined. We can't let adversity cause more adversity. Last week, one bad thing led to another bad thing, and that can't happen against Massie."
But in the head-to-head matchup since CM entered the SCOL in 2005, the Falcons have outscored the Tigers 211-40, with a '09 defeat of the Tigers at 40-0. The closest the Tigers have come to victory against CM was in '06 at 35-21 in a losing effort.
Scores since 2005 in the series are: 44-0, 35-21, 38-3, 54-16 and 40-0.
"Their linebackers are unbelievable," Closson said. "They are fast and fill the running lanes well. 
Their defensive ends are strong and pursue the football. All-around, their defense are outstanding tacklers."
The Tigers (1-2, 4-2) are coming off a 40-20 loss to the undefeated Washington Blue Lions at Gardner Park. The Tigers led 20-12 at the half but were shut down and made costly mistakes and penalties in the final two quarters.
The Blue Lions held the Tigers’ offensive attack in check by holding Zach Matracia to just 25 yards on the ground. Matracia entered last week's game with 687 yards. He currently has 712 yards on 81 attempts. Matracia did have a 70-yard reception last week.
"I think Washington C.H. is good, and playing them can help prepare for a team like Clinton-Massie. We just have to stay focused."
Since his return two games ago, Camron Cooper has put a spark in the Tigers' offense, but like his teammate, was held back by the Blue Lion defensive attack going 7 of 22 for 134 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Most of the second half against Washington, Cooper had little time to look for open receivers.
"Camron is a big play maker," Closson said. "He does a great job, and he brings a level of confidence we need to the field."
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