GREENFIELD – The McClain Tigers suffered a tough one-point loss Friday at the hands of the Unioto Tanks. After a long night of battling, the game ended 42-41 in Unioto’s favor.
When the first quarter began, both Unioto and McClain had each scored a touchdown with a field goal. After that, both teams were neck and neck all through the game.
McClain head coach Jeremey Andrews was disappointed about the loss, but impressed about how hard his team competed.
“I was happy with the way we fought tonight and played our guts out,” Andrews said. He noted that everybody fought hard defensively and offensively.
“We need to continue working on limiting our mistakes,” Andrews said. “Coaches and players both do.”
Andrews said, “I am so proud of all of our players for working hard. A lot of the seniors stepped up and really fought hard. Several young players stepped up as well tonight, too.”
McClain (1-1) was the first to score on Friday night. Tristan Pitzer scored on a 55- yard run in the first quarter at 9:58. Camden Yates then made the extra point to give the Tigers the lead, 7-0.
Only 18 seconds later, Unioto’s Gabe Fisher scored a touchdown, and the kick was good, ending the first quarter tied at 7 each.
McClain scored two more touchdowns in the second quarter. One touchdown was made by McClain’s quarterback Tristen Pitzer and the other by Gabe Adams. The first half ended with McClain ahead, 20-14.
The third quarter was tied throughout for more than half of the quarter. Both teams were playing defense and offense very well. Unioto’s Trey Ivey ran the ball into the end zone and Brice Robinson completed the extra point. Another touchdown was made by Unioto in the quarter as well. Later in the third quarter, Adams was able to score a touchdown and a two point conversion for the Tigers, leaving the game tied, 28-28, heading into the final stanza.
Unioto’s Fisher ran for a 53 yard touchdown, with Robinson completing the point after with 11:37 left on the clock. Unioto later scored another touchdown, leaving McClain behind, 42-35, with only 26.3 seconds left. Fighting until the clock ran out, McClain scored a touchdown with no time left on the clock and trailing by just a point. The Tigers went for a two point conversion and missed it by a hair.
Two of McClain’s senior’s, Gabe Adams and Tristan Pitzer, had outstanding rushing numbers. Uniotos Elder had 161 rushing yards.
Unioto’s Fisher carried kickoff returns for a total of 111 yards.
The Tigers will be home again Friday against Zane Trace wtih a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
