East Clinton will conclude its 2020 football season Friday night by hosting former Kenton Trace Conference rival Southeastern.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at ECHS.
“Southeastern is a well-coached, solid football team,” EC head coach Steven Olds said. “They play sound football and do not make many mistakes.”
The two teams are similar in that they both started the season with little offensive output.
Southeastern was 1-4 and had just 41 points. Nearly all came in a 34-0 win over Springfield Catholic Central in Week 3.
Southeastern lost to Madison-Plains 28-7 in Week 4. They are now 3-6.
East Clinton lost to Madison-Plains 58-25 in a Week 7 playoff game. The Astros are 4-5.
“Getting to .500 would be a huge step for our program, even more so when you consider where we were when we took over two years ago,” Olds said. “My staff and this group of players deserve a lot of credit for the work they have done to put us in this position, now we just have to go out and execute.
“There have been so many ups and downs this season with just as many unknowns, but through it all, our guys have stayed the course. I think if there is one thing we have learned about this team, it’s that they can overcome just about anything, especially with the support of their teammates and family.”
The Trojans have won two of their last four games. They finished the pre-playoff season with a 41-26 win over Cedarville, then defeated Sidney Lehman 21-19 in the first round of the playoffs.
Southeastern was knocked out of the playoffs with a 52-7 loss to New Bremen then lost to Worthington Christian last week 21-20.
Wade Eriksen is the SHS quarterback. He has thrown 7 touchdowns and just 1 interception.
Tanner Stoops, a 5-10, 180-pound running back, has 849 yards and 6 touchdowns rushing this season.
Stoops also is the leading tackler with 60 solos.
Jared Smith has 10 touchdowns passing for EC but has throw 14 interceptions.
Smith was electric last week with 141 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing in a 21-6 win over McClain.
He is the leading rusher with 478 yards and 7 touchdowns while Glenn Peacock has 401 yards on the ground.
Branson Smith has 38 receptions for 592 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Phillip Davis has 9 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries while Brandon Zimmerman has 7 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
Branson Smith has 6 interceptions. Landon Runyon and Trenton Garen have 2 picks each.
