After dropping last week’s National Division showdown to Bethel-Tate, East Clinton will travel to Clermont Northeastern Friday night.
The Astros (3-5, 2-1) will kick off against the Rockets (4-4, 1-2) at 7 p.m.
East Clinton had won two straight before falling to unbeaten Bethel-Tate last week 55-14. The game started poorly for the Astros, giving up a touchdown to the Tigers on their first play from scrimmage.
“We have finally learned how to start fast,” Bethel-Tate coach Jeff Essig said. “Our mantra is ‘Tate Tempo’ and early in the year we had trouble getting started.”
But not against EC. Prior to the game, East Clinton head coach Jeremy Yankey said he wanted to control the tempo of the game and put together lengthy offensive drives. In turn, that would keep the Tigers offense off the field.
In the end, though, the only reason the Tigers offense got off the field was because it scored quickly.
Clermont Northeastern has lost three of its last four after a 3-1 start to the season.
The two teams have several common opponents.
Both teams lost to Batavia (EC 27-7, CNE 41-36), Hillsboro (EC 48-7, CNE 37-6) and Bethel-Tate (EC 55-14, CNE 56-31).
The Astros defeated Fayetteville 32-22 while the Rockets of CNE were winners by a 42-7 score.
