It was week No. 2 of the Frontier Athletic Conference portion of the 2024 football season — week No. 7 overall — as the Miami Trace Panthers welcomed the Tigers from McClain High School Friday, Oct. 4.

The weather was dry and warm to start the game as the two rivals who have been playing each other in football since the early 1960s met once again.

Miami Trace won this game in convincing fashion, 44-10.

The Panthers led 44-3 and were able to rest most, if not all, of their starters in the second half.

Miami Trace set the tone by running the opening kickoff back to the McClain 37-yard line.

A few plays later sophomore Julian Baker scored on a 4-yard run.

Senior Levi Morrison’s kick gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead with 9:14 remaining in the first quarter.

McClain moved the ball successfully on their first possession.

The Tigers started at their own 34-yard line and took the ball down to the Miami Trace 12-yard line.

From there, Zane Adams kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 game with 4:35 to play in the opening quarter.

With 1:17 to play in the first quarter, senior quarterback Trey Robinette passed to senior Gaige Stuckey. The play went for 68 yards and a touchdown.

The extra-point kick by Morrison gave the Panthers a 14-3 lead, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.

McClain had the first of three first half turnovers with a fumble on their next possession.

The ball was recovered by Miami Trace junior Tyler Stevens at the McClain 23-yard line.

Very soon thereafter, Robinette connected with Stuckey again, this time for a 22-yard touchdown. With 11:50 to play in the half, Miami Trace held a 21-3 lead.

McClain soon found themselves backed up to their own 1-yard line.

The Panthers blitzed and the McClain player was tackled in the end zone for a safety and a 23-3 lead for the home team with 10:43 to play until the half.

McClain had to kick the ball back to the Panthers and with 6:37 to play in the second quarter, senior Evan Colegrove scored on a 12-yard run.

Morrison’s PAT gave the Panthers a 30-3 lead.

The Tigers fumbled on the kickoff return and Miami Trace had another short field.

This time Robinette found junior Austin Brown for a 16-yard touchdown. Morrison’s kick put the score at 37-3 with 6:14 to play in the half.

The Tigers soon lost another fumble, this one recovered by sophomore Dane Wilt.

Baker scored on a 21-yard run and the kick by Morrison gave the Panthers a 44-3 lead with 1:24 to play.

The score stayed at 44-3 at the half.

A look at some of the halftime statistics had Miami Trace with 267 yards of offense to 49 for the Tigers.

Baker had two touchdowns and 91 yards rushing on 11 carries.

The breakdown was 169 yards passing and 98 yards rushing for Miami Trace.

The second half began with a running clock.

McClain scored on a 3-yard run by senior Owen Sykes. The extra-point kick set what would prove to be the final score of 44-10. That score came with 9:32 to play in the game.

“A conference win is always important and that was important,” Miami Trace head coach Jerry Williams said as the Panthers rang the victory bell.

“McClain is always a strong opponent,” Williams said. “They’re a well-coached football team each and every year.

“Our guys came out and really played hard in the first half,” Williams said. “We did what we needed to do. We were able to get our (starters) off the field in the second half.

“Hopefully we can heal up a little bit and be ready to play next week,” Williams said.

Miami Trace improves to 6-1 overall, 2-0 in the FAC.

McClain falls to 1-6 on the season, 0-2 in the conference.

Miami Trace plays at Jackson next week and McClain hosts the Chillicothe Cavaliers.

Jackson defeated the Washington Blue Lions Friday, 42-0.

Hillsboro beat Chillicothe Friday, 21-14 as the Cavs fall to 0-7 and Hillsboro improves to 3-4.

Jackson is now 5-2 and Washington is 1-6.

In other area games Friday, Piketon (3-3 going in) upset 6-0 Paint Valley, 13-12.

Unioto improved to 6-1 with a 35-0 win over Adena (3-4).

The Waverly Tigers raised their record to 5-2 with a 36-0 win over the Minford Falcons, who fall to 1-6.

In a match-up of two 5-1 teams, Bloom-Carroll beat Logan Elm, 41-14.

Circleville hosted Hamilton Township with both teams coming into the game at 3-3.

The Rangers rolled to a 53-28 victory over the Tigers.

It was 5-1 Teays Valley hosting 4-2 Canal Winchester. The Indians defeated the Vikings, 30-10.

Williamsburg moved to 6-1 on the year with a 22-18 win over the Blanchester Wildcats, who fall to 2-5.

The East Clinton Astros earned their first victory of the 2024 season, 38-6 over the now 1-6 Fayetteville Rockets.

The Clinton-Massie Falcons are now 5-2 after a 55-0 win over the Goshen Warriors who fall to 2-5.

The London Red Raiders remain unbeaten at 7-0 after a 49-0 win over the Jonathan Alder Pioneers (4-3).

The Madison Plains Golden Eagles are now 4-3 after defeating Greenon, 21-0. The Knights fall to 0-7.