Zane Trace avenges 2020 loss to McClain, flips the script in blowout victory
By: Grant Kiefer, Zack Mothersbaugh
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GREENFIELD, Ohio (WOUB) – A Friday night under the lights at McClain High School brought us a matchup between two schools looking to imrpove their perfect records; Zane Trace and McClain. However, one team was clearly above the other in a 40-0 blowout victory for the Pioneers.
McClain had some early momentum, as Zane Trace had three false starts on the opening drive, which contributed to a big time Andrew Potts reception and an Andrew Potts first down run. Once Zane Trace settled in, though, they began to take over. Zane Trace forced McClain’s drive to stall in the red zone and made a 4th down stop to end the drive.
The Pioneers wasted no time getting on the board, as quarterback Carter Langley took off for an 85-yard touchdown run on 3rd down to make it 7-0.
On the next drive, Carter Langley made a big play once again, this time on defense. Langley came up with an interception in McClain territory, which gave the Pioneers excellent field position.
Zane Trace did not waste the excellent field position, as they marched all the way to the goal line and had Blake Phillips run it up the gut to make the score 14-0.
McClain tried to put themselves back in it right away, as they got to midfield methodically. After getting back to the red zone, though, McClain’s drive stalled once again and resulted in a 4th & 20 pass picked off by Aaden Dunn.
The Pioneers followed up the interception with another huge play, as Austen Ison took it to the endzone from 70 yards out on a shorter catch in the flats, making the score 20-0.
Zane Trace finished the half running a successful 2 minute drill, which concluded with a buzzer beater touchdown. The Pioneers had all three timeouts and utilized them well, as they continuously punched the ball up the gut and gained first downs on the ground. With one second remaining on the clock, Carter Langley tallied his second touchdown of the game on a quarterback sneak, making the score 26-0.
The Pioneers continued to pile it on right out of the break, as Daniel Barnhart ran the ball 50 yards downfield to set up Zane Trace in the red zone once again. Blake Phillips punched in another touchdown, making the score 33-0.
Zane Trace’s defense continued its stellar performance tonight with a red zone interception to halt yet another McClain red zone trip, this one coming at the hands of Aaden Dunn. That pick was Dunn’s second interception of the night.
This stellar offense capitalized on the turnover, as Drew Lane added his name to the list of touchdown scorers on the night, putting this one at 40-0.
The Pioneers sent its reserves in, and that was the ballgame. Zane Trace continues its perfect season so far with a 40-0 victory.
Zane Trace will take its perfect record back home next week, as the Pioneers host Piketon on September 9th. For the McClain Tigers, it will try to rebound and get to 3-1 next week on the road at East Clinton on the same date.