Game of the Week: Hornets' Hordes Head to Mohawk

They say that nothing succeeds like success.

 

And McCann Tech's recent success on the football field has led to success in recruting players into the Hornets' program for veteran head coach Bob LeClair.

 

McCann has more than 40 players on its roster this year, including a dozen freshmen and a dozen seniors.

"Returning as many guys as we have coming back this year and other kids who have stepped up to fill in, we have the luxury of depth with a lot of experience," LeClair said this week.

 

"Last week was really warm. It was hot and muggy down there, but we can substitute pretty liberally and give kids rest. In a situation like last week, we weren't cramping up. ... I think it was due to the fact that we could substitute."

 

And those big numbers are a credit to McCann's run of winning seasons.

 

"As we've been successful the last few years, we're getting more and more kids," LeClair said. "That is what I would attribute it to."

 

Last year, the Hornets played the first home playoff game in program's 50-year history, and they have won two of the last three Tri-County titles.

 

Last week, McCann Tech started off its second half century with a resounding 51-6 win at Pathfinder in the season opener.

 

This week, things get a little tougher with a trip over the Trail to Mohawk Trail Regional High School on Friday night. The teams are part of a four-way tie atop the Tri-County League standings after Mohawk hammered Smith Voc, 44-6, last week.

 

McCann started last season with the same two teams, at home, and ended up with a lopsided win against Pathfinder and an 18-6 victory over Mohawk. LeClair said he expects another challenge from Mohawk on Friday.

 

"They're not doing anything we didn't think they'd do," said LeClair, who watched the game tape of Mohawk's season-opener. "It was the same as if you put in last year's tape. There's no surprises, and we didn't anticipate any.

 

"It was a real battle last year. We anticipate another tough, strong ballgame from them. They have a lot of experience with a good running back in [Stephen] Reynolds and a good quarterback in [Andrew] Doty. 

 

"We have to show up and be ready to play on Friday."

 

Reynolds ran roughshod over Smith Voc with 147 yards rushing and three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing).

McCann will answer with senior running back Levi Lawson, who went over the 100-yard mark on the ground himself last week, Brett Pecor and QB Nick Lincoln.

 

The Hornets also will feature a swarming defense.

 

A year ago, McCann allowed just 52 points in a 7-1 regular season (6.5 points per game).

 

Last week, the Hornets' "D" forced a couple of early turnovers to build a lead and shut down the Pioneers from there.

 

"Defensively, we didn't allow them any first downs or even to cross midfield for the first three quarters of the game," LeClair said.