As has been the case for a number of seasons, Clinton-Massie has made every attempt to put high-quality non-league opponents on its schedule.
Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn’t.
But for the most part, Dan McSurley and his Falcons don’t shy away from any team willing to play them.
That does, however, present a situation where Massie must play near-perfect football to beat some teams while it can stumble badly and still win easily over others.
McSurley and Co. have done a good job preparing for each team and not looking past one opponent regardless of how the schedule shakes out.
“This group of seniors has some experience with the grind and shouldn’t allow for any let down,” McSurley said. “We just want to build momentum each week and improve.”
This week, the Falcons face a high-octane offense in Western Brown. The Broncos despite a 2-4 record have played several quality foes and been able to put points on the scoreboard against most of them.
“Western Brown is very explosive on offense and has a high-tempo passing attack, so rotating a lot of guys on defense will be be key,” said McSurley.
The main Bronco the Falcons will be chasing on defense is quarterback Josh Taylor. Last week, the Broncos lost a heartbreaker 41-40 to Goshen. Taylor passed for 310 yards and three scores and ran for 201 yards and three more scores. Yani Williams had 12 catches for 144 yards and two TDs.
For the year, Taylor continues has bid for the top offensive player in the SBAAC. He has throw for 1,746 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is completing 60 percent of his passes. Also, Taylor has 851 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
That goes to the coaches’ plan to build depth at every position. Building depth in lopsided games has allowed the Falcons dynasty to stretch over multiple years.
Such was the case last week in a 49-0 rout of previously unbeaten Batavia.
“The Batavia week gave us an opportunity to rest and get some guys healed up for the last half of the season,” said McSurley. “We’re still building depth at every position, so games like that allows you to get some guys Friday night experience.”
Clinton-Massie is now third in the OHSAA Division IV Region 16 playoff standings. The top eight teams in each of Ohio’s 24 regions advance to the playoffs.
Prior to last week’s bludgeoning of Batavia, the Falcons would have traveled to the Bulldogs if the season ended after five weeks as a 4 versus 5 seed.
Now, Massie would host Batavia as a 3 versus 6 seed matchup if the rankings continue as they are this week.
