2011 Football Preview: Clinton-Massie

[Eric Frantz]

Clinton-Massie (11-1, D-IV R16 Semifinalist)

* Players to Watch – OL Jared Salisbury (6-6, 330, sr.); OL Jimmy Singleton (6-3, 280, sr.); OL Trent Smart (6-3, 230, jr.); OL Jake Weaver (6-2, 220, jr.); TE Bradly Burgess (6-3, 220, sr.); LB Wes Clutter (5-9, 190, sr.); DB Dillion Davis (6-2, 185, sr.); FB Wyatt Running (6-0, 190., jr.); RB Bayly Wolfe (6-0, 180, so.)

* Outlook – The Falcons, led by head coach Dan McSurley (123-46 in 15 years), have been to the playoffs nine straight years and won 33 straight regular season games. No reason to think Massie doesn’t make it 10 postseason trips in a row. As for another 10-0 regular season, that may be a little tougher. Size and athleticism on the OL won’t be an issue, especially with Salisbury ( D-I prospect) up front. Experience in the backfield is a small concern. Defensively, the secondary will be a strength.

[cm_backer]

Biggest keys will be how Massie replaces the big 4 on D (Calhoun, Evans, Harpen, and Straight) and who rplaces all of the skill guys on O.
Clutter moving from SS to LB (he played most of his soph year there) will help, also heard rumors that Smart may move to LB. Still not sure who replaces harpen and Straight on the outside though. If Clutter moves to LB that leaves Dillon Davis and JD Curtsinger (jr) as the only returning starters in the secondary. Cole Brogan(jr) logged some quality time at S last year and Tyler Davis (sr) started early last year at DB. Also Travis Daugherty (jr) should be either at SS or at one on the LB spots.
Only skill guy returningon offense is TE (Burgess), all backs and WR will need to be replaced. I know Coach pre-determined who will be his backs this year, hopefully there will be some open competition for those spots though. Wyatt Running did a great job filling in for Wilkie and getting carries late in the game. Bayle Wolf played D last year and didn't run the ball, he is fast so hopefully he can show he can run the ball. Zach Mineer(jr) did an oustanding job on JV last year, and showed good speed and the ability to change direction during 4th quarters on Friday. JD Curtsinger had more than 1000 all purpose yards in 5 JV games before being promoted to starting DB on Fridays. Wes Clutter may be the toughest runner on the team. And if Zach Zurface(jr) moves back into the area (he was the leading RB in jr high before moving to Columbus), he could be the featured back. There should be good competition at QB also, Tyler Uetrecht(jr) was the back up last year and appears to have the inside track, but Jake Burnham (so) could push him for the starting job, and Clutter may be another option if the coaches aren't satisfied with the others.

One thing is certain, you will hear new names on Friday nights and hopefully Massie could put together another league championship, another playoff run, and another undefeated season.

Massie currently has the 3rd longest regular season winning streak in the state at 32 games (not 33), the last loss was at Washington CH in week 8 of the 2007 season.

[pdoubleop]

Definitely a lot of "new" names but they bring a ton of athleticism!

[cm_backer]

New names, same results.

[pdoubleop]

New names, same results.

Hopefully, better results!

[cm_backer]

poop..yes, hopefully we will have better results. This year's ground game will be dramatically different then the past few years, Running and Clutter are the only one of the the backs that I would consider a power back, all the others have speed and/ or ellusiveness. All of the backs that I mentioned earlier would be the primary ball carrier on every team on our schedule, and a few will be regulated to a backup role on the Massie squad this year (a very good problem to have).