Clovers look to punch ticket to Sectional final this week

For the second consecutive season, the Cloverdale football team finds itself playing into late October and in the sectional semifinal contest.

And, for head coach Tyler Lotz, the historic season has been one that has been extremely gratifying. Not only will Cloverdale host Indianapolis Tindley (1-7), the Clovers assured themselves the first winning season since 1996, when Cloverdale (6-4) went 7-3. Cloverdale will host Tindley Friday at 7 p.m. 

"It's a blessing to be around this group of guys for another week. Every year it is a different locker room and we are excited to keep this one intact for one more week," Lotz told The Putnam County Post. 

For Lotz, who played at Cloverdale and is familiar with the lean seasons, the last two years have been magical and have proven that the hard work is starting to pay off.

"It means a lot to our program and the people that have put a lot of time and effort into this. We felt like last year we should have achieved that goal, but came up 5-5. We worked extremely hard this year, and we are happy to have achieved that, but we are not satisfied though. The sectional is our goal. We have got to keep working and staying focused," Lotz admitted. 

Last week, Cloverdale utilized six turnovers to waltz past Clinton Central, 42-14. In the game, running back Keshaun Taylor rushed for 143 yards and four touchdowns, breaking the single season rushing touchdown mark. He is 40 yards shy of breaking the single season rushing mark. 

Tindley did not play last week and has been on a seven game skid since defeating Edinburgh, 28-14 in the season opener. Last year, Cloverdale upended the Tigers, 34-6. 

Lotz said despite the record, Tindley is a formidable opponent. 

"They are very similar to last year. I think our kids remember last year and how well they competed with us," he said. 

As for what it will take for the Clovers to secure a win and punch their ticket to a sectional final, Lotz admits several things need to take place.

"We have to continue to focus on us, control the controllables all week at practice, and Friday night, we have to do the three things we have talked about all year. First, we have win the takeaway battle. Second, tackle better than they tackle us. Third, be more explosive than them. The only thing I will add to that is after last week, we have to start faster," Lotz said.