Cloverdale ready to make some noise in sectional

After advancing to the sectional championship game the last two seasons, Cloverdale head football coach Tyler Lotz would like nothing more than to get over the hump and win a title this year.

"Winning a sectional would mean a lot and be the first since 1992. I'd love to get that monkey off our back, but we have to get there first," Lotz told The Putnam County Post. 

The veteran coach knows there is plenty of football to be played and one off night by his Clovers could result in his team turning in equipment. 

He is hopeful that doesn't happen Friday when Cloverdale (6-3) hosts Fountain Central (4-5) in the opening round of the Class A Sectional 47 Tournament. 

"We are happy to be in the position we are in, but we can't look at what we have accomplished. We must continue focusing on what we need to do to finish the year strong. My message was, 'I don't want to hear any talk.' We are one bad game away, one bad start or one game not being locked in away from turning our stuff in. We have to be locked in all week at practice so we are ready for Friday," Lotz told The Putnam County Post. 

Cloverdale wrapped up the regular season with a 63-0 loss last week against South Putnam. 

"I think our kids played pretty well in the first quarter. South Putnam has a good football team, and you have one or two kids take a play off, it's going to be a touchdown. I felt like we did a good job in the first quarter of not doing that, and in the second quarter, they had some explosive plays. Offensively, it was tough for us when they dominated the line of scrimmage like they did. We played a really good football team, and I was pleased with how we played at times. We got past it," Lotz said. 

The Fountain Central Mustangs enter Friday's sectional opener having won their last two games against North Vermillion and Parke Heritage. 

"They have a pretty good quarterback, and they do a lot with him running wise. He is their main offensive threat. Defensively, they are going to show us a 4-3, man to man look and cover zero and a 4-4 cover three look. We have to take advantage of what they give us," Lotz said. 

The winner of Cloverdale versus Fountain Central will face the winner of Covington versus Attica in the second round. 

For that to be Cloverdale, Lotz said the Clovers have to get off to a fast start. 

"We have to start fast. Friday night, I took the ball against South Putnam, but I was hoping we could get something going. We have to start fast, and that is the number one priority for our kids. Taking care of the ball is a huge part of the game, and we must be great tacklers," Lotz said.