Clinton-Massie dominates Waynesville in rematch

File this one under “Be careful what you wish for”.

Waynesville’s eagerly anticipated rematch with rival Clinton-Massie turned into a nightmare on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The Spartans fumbled the opening kick-off and never recovered as the host Falcons rolled to a 43-0 rout in the first round of the Division IV Region 16 playoffs.

Clinton-Massie (11-0) scored 21 points in the first eight minutes and never looked back.

Three plays after Zach Baker recovered the fumble on the kick-off, Jordan Scanlon scampered in from two yards out to get the scoring under way.

The Falcons scored on their next four possessions — another short run by Scanlon, two short runs by Gunner Calhoun and a 60-yard pass from Jake Richardson to Corby Running — to take a 33-0 lead at the half.

“I didn’t expect that,” Falcon coach Dan McSurley said. “I knew we had a good ball club if we put together four quarters, but we hadn’t really done that yet this year.

“This is what a top seed is supposed to do against a No. 8 seed — leave no doubt. Our offensive line flat out whipped them, best game of the year up front. We wore them down.”

Clinton-Massie rolled up 315 yards on the ground, led by Scanlon who rushed for a game-high 126 yards on 26 carries.

The Falcon defense was equally impressive, holding Waynesville to a season low 89 total yards.

The Spartans (8-3) entered the game averaging over 36 points a game and rushing for 318 yards per contest. In Saturday’s shutout, Waynesville rushed for only 33 yards.

Seth Millar, Waynesville’s all-time leading rusher, was held to 28 yards on 12 attempts.

“We have a great front seven,” McSurley said. “Our front four absolutely dominated. They’re the best defensive line I’ve ever coached. And we have good linebackers. That combination makes for a great defense.”

Charles Harpen led the Falcon defense with eight tackles, five of them for a loss.

“They dominated us from the get go,” Waynesville coach Glen Burchfield said. “They were the better team and they proved it. They beat us in every phase of the game and I wish them good luck.

“It’s a shame to end such a successful season with a game like this. Somehow we have to put it out of our minds when we think about the 2009 season.”

Clinton-Massie advances to next week’s Division IV Region 16 semi-finals against Kenton, 46-21 winners of Valley View.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.

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