Falcons shut out for first time in 132 games

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CENTERVILLE — One of the more impressive streaks in high school football came to an end Friday night at Centerville Stadium.

After more than 10 years, someone finally held the Clinton-Massie Falcons scoreless.

The Alter Knights defeated the Falcons 28-0. Not since Oct. 27, 2006 had the Falcons failed to score at least a safety. On that night, it was Jonathan Alder who held the Falcons pointless, 16-0.

In total, Clinton-Massie had scored in 132 straight games before Friday night.

Massie playoff losses impressive

During this current streak of playoff appearance for Clinton-Massie, which includes two state championships, season-ending losses have been to great football teams.

The last time the Falcons had their season ended by Alter, the Knights closed the 2014 season with an appearance in the state championship game. They would lose to Benedictine in the final, 21-14.

In 2011, the Falcons made it to the state semifinals, where they were stopped by Kenton 36-20. The Wildcats would lose a shootout in the state title game to Norwayne 48-42.

Alter and Clinton-Massie met in the 2009 regional final. The Knights would get the best of the Falcons, winning 32-7. Alter would win the state semifinal and championship by almost identical scores, beating Coshocton 31-6 and Chagrin Falls 37-7.

Clinton-Massie lost to the eventual state champions again in 2007. In the regional final, the Falcons fell to Coldwater 63-14. The Cavaliers would go on to beat Cardinal Mooney 28-27 in the title game.

In 2003, the Falcons lost 42-7 to Versailles in the regional final. Two weeks later, the Tigers were lifting the state title trophy after beating Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph 26-0.

The last three times Alter and Clinton-Massie have met in the playoffs, the winner has advanced to the state title game. Two of those three times, the winner would go on to be state champions.

A fast football game

While the Falcons and Knights were shaking hands at midfield following Friday night’s playoff game, the Division I regional game between Colerain and St. Xavier was still far from decided.

In fact, the two teams had just completed the first series in the third quarter when the game between Massie and Alter ended.

The first three quarters of the Massie-Alter game took just 20 minutes each. The fourth quarter took 19 minutes. Halftime was the longest segment of the game, checking in at 24 minutes.

The game featured just one penalty – a false start on Alter. There were no turnovers in the game, and just five total pass attempts.

Wyoming next

With the victory, Alter advances to the Region 16 championship game for the first time since 2014. Awaiting the Knights there will be the top-seeded Wyoming Cowboys. Wyoming defeated Valley View 29-12 Friday night at Monroe High School.

Wyoming finished first in the final region 16 standings, while Alter was the top-ranked Division IV team in the state in the final Associated Press football poll.

Wyoming and Alter will play 7:30 p.m. next Friday. The location of the game will be announced Sunday by the OHSAA.

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On Veterans Day it was fitting the Clinton-Massie cheerleaders made a banner honoring our veterans.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_freedomES-3.jpgOn Veterans Day it was fitting the Clinton-Massie cheerleaders made a banner honoring our veterans. Emma Schroeder | News Journal

Clinton-Massie’s Cade James, 11, nearly blocked an Alter punt early in the game Friday night at Centerville Stadium.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_jamesES-3.jpgClinton-Massie’s Cade James, 11, nearly blocked an Alter punt early in the game Friday night at Centerville Stadium. Meredith Robinson | News Journal

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_mcsurleyME-3.jpgMeredith Robinson | News Journal

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_poynterME-3.jpgMeredith Robinson | News Journal

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_tramplerME-1.jpgMeredith Robinson | News Journal

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_uetrechtEC-3.jpgMeredith Robinson | News Journal

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB12_cm_uetrechtME-3.jpgMeredith Robinson | News Journal

By Matt Sexton

WNJ Sports Writer

Matt Sexton covers high school sports for the News Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bymattsexton

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