Now things get interesting.
Clinton-Massie, steamrolling its way to an 8-0 record, will host unbeaten Waverly Saturday night in a Region 16 playoff game at Frank Irelan Field.
“Waverly is well-coached on both sides of the ball,” CM head coach Dan McSurley said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The winners will advance to the Region 16 championship 7 p.m. Nov. 7 against either Wyoming or Valley View.
The Falcons defeated Bethel-Tate 56-20 last week, after opening the playoffs with a 63-6 win over Dayton Thurgood Marshall.
The Falcons have scored no fewer than 42 points in a game this season but, uncharacteristically, have surrendered an average of 24 points per game.
Waverly, 8-0 as well, has put up similar scoring numbers. The Tigers have playoff wins of 62-14 over Norwood and 34-13 last week over Archbishop McNicholas. Against the Rockets, the Tigers forced three turnovers
In all, the Tigers average 47 points on offense and give up 18 points a game on defense.
“They run the same style defense as us and are real balanced on offense,” McSurley said. “They run a (run-pass option) style (offensive) attack and run it well.”
Haydn’ Shanks is the quarterback and maestro of the WHS offense. He finished Saturday’s win over McNicholas with 322 yards and two touchdowns in the air. Jaxson Poe had 95 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. Penn Morrison caught eight passes for 133 yards and Will Futhey hauled in seven passes for 100 yards and a score.
The big game of the regular season for WHS was a 36-35 overtime win against Wheelersburg, a Division V team still in the playoffs.
Among Clinton-Massie’s opponents, Alter remains in the playoff picture, facing unbeaten Badin this week.
“This (Clinton-Massie) team has been through some wars this season and are ready to go as far as the guys up front will take us,” McSurley said.
So far, the guys up front have done well. Massie is averaging 421 yards rushing per game while scoring almost at will.
While Carson Vanhoose (112-1266-28) has been the bellcow back, others have been strong as well. Colton Trampler had a huge game against Bethel-Tate while Kody Zantene is being utilized more in the option game.
