At the start of the 2010 campaign, Clay head football coach Mike Donnelly had aspirations of winning seven games, and getting Clay a long awaited playoff berth.

However, things haven't gone as planned for the Eagles, losers in three of their last four games, and it appears that the Eagles will fall short of their lofty goals.

The first case of heartbreak came during week 2 at home. The Eagles controlled the game much of the way, only to be beaten by Perrysburg with 8 seconds left on a Matt Slocum touchdown pass. The Eagles then pulled off a big 17-14 win at Springfield, despite being outgained 343-250 in total offense. Waite came ready to play and punched Clay in the jaw in front of the home town fans in week 4, reclaiming the Oil Barrel Trophy for the first time since 2005.  And then in week 6, it looked like Clay was ready to turn things around after a big offensive performance in a 29-13 win at Start High School.  But that has not been the case.

Now in week 8, coming off of two tough tests against the City League's fiercest forces--Central Catholic and Whitmer--Clay will look to rebound on the road against another City League power, St. John's Jesuit.

With the exception of a 49-24 thrashing on the road at Whitmer in week 5, the Titans have performed  well this season and they will improve on their win total from last season, a season in which they finished 6-4, and be in prime position to compete for a playoff berth.

The Titans have two offensive playmakers that will make things tough for a much improved Clay defense that has only allowed opponents to score an average of 16 points per game, down from 22 in 2009.  St. John's Jesuit's quarterback Brogan Roback leads the City League in passing touchdowns and yards and running back Kent Kern has put together a good season of his own.  Kern has rushed for over 600 yards and has averaged almost eight yards per carry behind an offensive line anchored by Michigan-bound tackle Jack Miller and  Clay's defensive coordinator Bill Fisher knows his defense has to prepare hard leading up to Friday's game.  "We have to try to stop the run.  We would like to keep the ball in the quarterback's hand and do what we are supposed to do."

Clay senior quarterback Josh Utter takes in a snap as junior lineman John Galyas (61) blocks during the Eagle's 17-14 non-league win at Springfield. (Press photo by John Pollack/www.pollock.smugmug,com)

Coach Donnelly knows that if his team has any chance of upsetting the Titans that his offense, led by senior quarterback Austin Achter, a second team City League selection in 2009, must put points on the board and the defense must contain Kern and Roback.  The Eagles have been shut out twice already this season and average a meager 12 points per game.

Clay's weakest performances of the season came in an ugly 13-0 loss to Waite in week 4 and a brutal 28-0 stampede at home against state ranked Central Catholic in week 6.  Clay only managed 72 yards of total offense against Central Catholic, a game in which Achter was limited to just 19 yards.

Achter, who compiled 256 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 29-13 win over Start in week 5, needs to turn the page in only his fourth start at quarterback.  Clay has used three quarterbacks this season and it appears that it's Achter's job to lose.  The Eagles have strayed away from the passing attack since Achter took over for Josh Utter and need to get the passing game up and moving.

Senior playmakers Bobby Hoffman and Nick Roman have been offensive bright spots all season long but as any receiver knows, it's hard to make a difference when  the ball isn't being thrown your way.  Hoffman has made big plays all season, the biggest coming on a 67 yard touchdown reception in a week 3 win at Springfield.  Seniors Kevin Gaskins and Kyle Stevenson have received the bulk of the carries in the backfield for Coach Donnelly.

The special teams units have made a difference throughout the course of the season.  Hoffman and Roman possess big play capabilities on punt and kick returns.  Says Donnelly, "Special teams is very important to us.  It's one of those areas where you don't necessarily have to have a size or speed advantage.  It's more about hustle and desire.  We have kids buying in and our special teams has done a good job."

It's these skilled players for Clay who will have to get involved this week and make a major impact if the Eagles want to upset the Titans.  Two things that can't be coached are talent and experience, and Coach Donnelly has plenty of both on this year's squad.  The Eagles have 22 seniors and fourteen returning starters from last season's 4-6 team.  "Having experience is definitely key and we also have a lot of talent at our skilled positions which makes it tough on the defense because they can't focus on one guy," said Donnelly earlier this season on the Clay Eagles Coaches Show on WRSCradio.com.

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