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McCormick leads Falcons past Panthers, 34-6

Saturday, 20 September 2008

EBER — The Clinton-Massie Falcons and Miami Trace Panthers have won or shared the five previous SCOL titles, with Miami Trace winning three outright, the Falcons claiming one outright title and the two teams sharing last year’s crown with Washington C.H.

The Falcons visited Miami Trace High School Friday night and improved to 2-0 in the SCOL with a 34-6 win over the Panthers. It was the league-opener for Miami Trace.

Falcon senior quarterback Logan McCormick had a strong game as the quarterback and defensive back with two interceptions, including a tremendous, stretched-out, diving effort (his second pick) that all but sealed the game for Clinton-Massie.

The Falcons, 5-0 on the year, have the league set out before them now as they aim for a third consecutive title.

After a 28-0 win over McClain, the Madison Plains Golden Eagles are tied with the Falcons atop the SCOL standings at 2-0.

Friday, the Panthers played the Falcons tough, especially in the first quarter and through most of the first half.

“The first half was critical,” Miami Trace head coach Mike Bernard said. “We drove down and kicked a field goal. We recover a fumble (by Tyler Fraley) at the 50 and can’t move the ball.

“Their score right before the half hurt,” Bernard said. “We were looking to go in down by just three points.

“We had no answer for (Logan McCormick) tonight,” Bernard said. “We struggled to find a way to stop him. He had some big runs and ran the option well.

“You have to hand it to Clinton-Massie,” Bernard said. “They came out and played hard. I thought our kids played hard.”

“I respect Miami Trace,” Clinton-Massie head coach Dan McSurley said. “They gave us their best shot. They came out well and were sticking us hard.

“Once we kind of figured out their defense and our kids kind of settled down, remained poised,” McSurley said. “This is how we’ve been going all year. We’ve been starting out a little tight; teams have been giving us their best shot in the first half.

“As long as we remain patient, and stay poised, the coaches coach and the players listen, we can wear some of these teams out,” McSurley said. “They were coming off a tough loss to Jonathan Alder last week and they gave us a shot.

“We feel good about where we’re at,” McSurley said. “We’ve got to take care of business next week against London.” The Falcons are on the road next week, the first of three straight before the Falcons return home on Oct. 10.

The Panthers drew first blood with a 27-yard field goal by Brett Garland with 5:47 to play in the first quarter.

Massie senior Nathan Stouffer had a 63-yard touchdown run with 5:28 to play in the second quarter. The extra-point kick was no good.

The Falcons had a late score, a one-yard touchdown plunge by sophomore Scott Wilkie. The two-point conversion pass failed and the score stood at 12-3 Falcons at the half. That score was set up by a 26-yard run by McCormick down to the one-yard line.

The Falcons had 177 yards rushing on 23 carries in the first half to 91 for the Panthers on 27 carries.

Clinton-Massie began the second half with a 69-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown run by McCormick with 5:01 to play in the third. Stouffer ran in the two-point conversion to make it 20-3.

“We were playing major catch-up the rest of the game after their opening drive in the second half,” Bernard said.

Miami Trace responded with a nice drive, set up by a 45-yard running gain by Grant Jones. However, the Panthers had to take a 25-yard field goal by Garland when the drive stalled at the Falcon seven-yard line. That score came with 1:20 remaining on the third quarter clock.

The Falcons posted two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, seeming to wear down the Panther defense as they won the time-of-possession statistic.

Sophomore Jordan Scanlon scored on a three-yard run with 8:00 to play. Geremie Dart kicked the extra point to make it 27-6.

The Panthers turned the ball over on their first play from scrimmage following the Falcon touchdown, the above-mentioned diving interception by McCormick, his second of the game, with 6:28 to play in the game.

“That was one of the greatest interceptions I’ve ever seen,” McSurley said. “That was one for the highlight film. He’s just such a weapon with his speed, what he can do. He really opens things up.

“I thought Nathan Stouffer gashed them for some big plays,” McSurley said. “Jordy’s just a 10th grader. Our offensive line stepped up.”

McCormick broke free for a 62-yard touchdown sprint, scoring with 4:46 to play in the game. Dart kicked another PAT that put the score at what would be the final, 34-6.

Miami Trace, now 2-3 overall, 0-1 in the SCOL, is at Madison Plains next week.