Austin Hannah, Contributor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — Team work makes the dream work, and for Miami Trace Friday night, that statement held true.
After starting slow in the first half, Miami Trace came out of the locker room and dominated the second two quarters, shutting out McClain over the final 24 minutes and rolling to a 40-11 victory over McClain.
The victory, according to joeeitel.com, clinches a playoff spot in Week 11 for the Panthers.
“I think we came in and sort of underestimated those guys from the start,” Miami Trace’s Landen Cope said. “Our hearts were in it, but I don’t think physically we were giving our best effort. We came out completely different in the second half at a new level and played like a team we knew we were.”
After each team began the game with a punt, Miami Trace (4-5, 2-2 FAC) took to the air to draw first blood. Shay Salyers connected with Jake Manbevers for a 38-yard touchdown strike to put the Panthers ahead 7-0.
The Panthers then forced another punt, but threw an interception that set up the Tigers in phenomenal field position. Just two plays later, Andrew Potts rushed 18 yards into the end zone for the Tigers first score of the night. The successful two-point conversion put them ahead 8-7.
MT’s Gage Stuckey took the ensuing kickoff return from inside his own 10-yard line all the way to the McClain 35. And although the Tigers defense rose up for a stop, Zachary Warnock drilled a 36-yard field goal to make it 10-8 at the end the first quarter.
Both offenses weren’t exactly clicking all on cylinders in the second, but luckily the kickers were. McClain’s Emerson Yates converted a 37-yard field goal, while Warnock buried a 34-yard attempt, putting the Panthers ahead 13-11 at halftime.
“We’ve started slow all year long and I called out a lot of these seniors at halftime,” Miami Trace coach Jerry Williams said. “We’ve put an emphasis on starting fast and making adjustments. I told them at halftime it’s up to them to get the job done and they needed to step up.”
That’s exactly what they did.
Trey Robinette found Garrett Guess for a six-yard touchdown pass on the Panthers’ first possession of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 20-11 and it was all downhill for the Tigers from that point on.
“You could easily tell the difference in energy we had offensively in the second half,” Guess said. “We were all on the same page, playing for one another and we knew we could take the win.”
MT’s Austin Boedeker came up with an interception and took it all the way to the Tigers’ one-yard line. On the next play, Asher LeBeau scored a one-yard rushing touchdown for a 27-11 advantage.
McClain desperately needed to get some offense going, yet the Panthers’ defense continued to rise to the challenge and make one stop after another. Warnock drilled his third field goal of the game, a 40-yarder with ease, to push the lead to 30-11.
After forcing another McClain three-and-out, Robinette found Cope on the first play for a 73-yard passing touchdown, which was later followed by a 43-yard field goal from Warnock to put the finishing touches on the night.
Statistically, Robinette finished 8-of-11 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns while Salyers was 4-for-11 through the air for 81 yards with a touchdown. LeBeau finished with 15 carries for 57 yards and a score, and Cope had five catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. Guess also helped out, hauling in five receptions for 68 yards and a trip to the house.
Potts was McClain’s statistical leader, carrying the football 15 times for 115 yards and touchdown. Penwell added 13 carries for 64 yards.
“Our offensive line deserves a lot of credit. We have four seniors up front who get the job done every time,” Cope said. “They are the strength of the team that allow us to run the ball effectively and then throw it over the top for one big play after another. It’s our signature thing.”
The Panthers end the regular season with a crosstown trip to Washington on Friday while McClain travels to play at Hillsboro.
SPONSORED BY OhioHealth