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September 2008
West Carrollton off Friday, Oct. 3
A scheduling quirk gave West Carrollton High School’s football team a night off for Friday, Oct. 3. West Carrollton was scheduled play this weekend at Indianapolis Arlington in Indiana.
Here’s what happened: When the teams played in 2007, Indiana started its season a week earlier than Ohio. That meant West Carrollton had the game listed for its Week 7. Indiana had it scheduled for its Week 8. In 2008, Indiana and Ohio started the season the same week. That meant the two teams were a week apart on this year’s schedule: West Carrollton listing the game for Week 7 (Oct. 3) and Arlington for Week 8 (Oct. 10).
West Carrollton athletic director Jon Payne said the problem was discovered before the season started, but he couldn’t find a suitable replacement. Payne said his best option wasn’t an option at all: Indianapolis Cathedral, Indiana’s 4A state champion in 2007. Payne said Cin. Aiken will take Arlington’s place in Week 7 for both 2009 and 2010.
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TweetHarbin Football Projections
In his latest newsletter (Shuck’s Projections), Harbin computer analyst Steve Shuck projects Centerville No. 2 in Region 4 at 8-2, Wayne No. 3 at 8-2 and Northmont No. 8 at 8-2. He has St. Xavier No. 7 with a 6-4 record.
Troy (8-2) and Fairmont (6-4) are on the bubble. “Troy needs help. Their point totals can only grow with unexpected second level points. They need teams above them to back up.”
He sees Dunbar going 7-3 and finishing ninth in Region 8 and Bellbrook going 6-4 and finishing 10th.
Shuck was one of the first to make computerized projections, starting over two decades ago.
On the Alter forfeits, Shuck said “the teams that won by forfeit, Fairmont and Bellbrook, benefit the most. They receive a first level win and second level points from Alter wins, which I expect to be eight. When the season ends, their totals should be approximately 4.3 points higher than they would have been. Teams that defeat Fairmont and Bellbrook will add less than a half point. Until we find a way to only penalize the offender, that’s how it works.”
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TweetSmall-town pride scores at TCN, TVS
Score one for the small schools … and Jennifer Johnson.
The Tri-County North cheerleading coach was instrumental in helping TC North and Twin Valley South nab Game of the Week honors for Week 6. And it was no small feat. The two schools combined to outvote Alter and Carroll (1,559 total votes) and Wayne and Northmont (2,592 votes). The combined tally for TVS and TCN, whose combined enrollment barely tops that of Alter’s alone and doesn’t come close to the other three? Try 6,382 votes.
“It was really a community effort,” said Johnson. “When you’re looking at those bigger schools it was such an accomplishment. Our whole focus this year is to bring spirit back into the schools. The kids were so excited. At lunch they were making announcements how much they were up by.”
Johnson said she was looking for news on the wind storm damage and saw TC North was up for Game of the Week. She turned out to be a force to be reckoned with, too. Johnson got Tri-County North rolling and e-mailed Twin Valley South.
“The teachers were allowing the students to vote before class and after class, they were making announcements,” she said. “It was really awesome because it spread like wildfire. We e-mailed South and got them voting.”
It was fun to see TV South and TC North embrace the Game of the Week honors, which added to TC North’s Homecoming buzz. It was my first time at TC North, which has a nice field tucked behind the high school and down a tree-lined path. And you have to like the small-town feel at stadiums where fans bring fold-up chairs and sit on the hillside.
But the coolest part had to be sitting in the press box after the game, typing my story and listening to the chainsaws, screams and other sounds coming from the nearby Lewisburg Haunted Cave. It sure made the walk back to the car in the dark a little more interesting.
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TweetCreek’s Ruef to Stanford
The hits just keep on coming for the Beavercreek High School girls basketball program.
Senior Mikaela Ruef has verbally committed to play basketball at Stanford University, the NCAA Division I runner-up last spring.
“Mikaela going to Stanford is right there with (Beavercreek’s) Alison Bales going to Duke or Tamika Williams (C-J) to Uconn in terms of a local player going to a national power,” said Beavers coach Ed Zin.
The 6-foot-2 center averaged 13.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a junior. She made her decision on Sunday, Sept. 28 after visiting the Pac-10 school at Pala Alto, Calif.
She chose Stanford over Ohio State and Purdue. Stanford was 35-4 last season, losing 64-48 to Tennessee in the national title game.
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TweetWayne’s Miller out 4 to 6 weeks
Wayne High School high-profile sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller will miss the rest of the regular season.
Coach Jay Minton said Monday, Sept. 29, that Miller has a “lower leg” injury that will sideline him from 4 to 6 weeks. Miller was hurt in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 17-7 loss at Northmont this past Friday night.
“I saw him Saturday morning and he seemed somewhat stunned and down,” said Minton, who hopes the four-week possibility is correct. “But he knows that he’ll be back if we make the playoffs… . When a kid’s got that much potential for the future, you want to make sure he’s healed properly. It’s not the Super Bowl.”
Wayne (5-1) will prepare Tre Moore and Shawn Whitehurst to fill at quarterback for Friday’s home game against Fairmont (5-1).
“We’ll hopefully have a package in for both of them,” Minton said. “If I could teach the single wing in a week, I would. That would flip some people, wouldn’t it?”
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TweetTV South riding high after win
LEWISBURG — Both teams were looking for that momentum-boosting win to get them going in the second half of the season. Twin Valley South got it in a game that featured six lead changes.
Tri-County North led 22-18 midway through the third quarter before TV South erupted for 27 unanswered points. TV South capitalized most on its opportunities by converting three turnovers into touchdowns and using a blocked punt to set up a fourth. The South defense intercepted two passes recovered two of TC North’s six fumbles to set the offense up with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Star of the game: Plenty of options to choose from, but TV South quarterback Miles McCollum guided the Panthers to seven touchdowns on 11 drives. He completed 7-of-11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another.
Turning point: Trailing 24-22 late in the third quarter, TC North had a punt blocked at its own 30-yard line. TV South, which recovered at the 9-yard line, needed two plays to take a 31-22 lead. That swung the momentum heavily in South’s favor.
What this means: TV South (3-3) can build on the win for a strong second half. And with a team loaded with underclassmen, watch out. TC North (2-4) can play the spoiler role with talent on both sides. Fundamental football will be key, though. TC North had trouble holding onto the ball and special teams letdowns hurt.
Quote: “This is a tough loss. They’re big rivals and it’s a huge game. We played hard but we’re not consistent enough on both sides of the ball and on special teams to win against good teams like that.” — Tri-County North coach Jason Hart.
On deck: TV South hosts Cross County Conference front-runner Miami East (5-1). TC North travels to National Trail (0-6).
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TweetNorthmont 17, Wayne 7
CLAYTON — Northmont capitalized on its opportunities and Wayne did not. Plus, when Wayne quarterback Braxton Miller left in the third quarter with an apparent ankle injury, that seemed to deflate the Warriors.
Two plays later, C.J. Barnett returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown to tie it. The Thunderbolts added a field goal and Kevin Ringer TD run for a 17-7 victory Friday night, Sept. 26 in the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division opener.
Star of the game: Barnett, whose return sparked Northmont. He also helped a defense that limited Wayne to one touchdown (with a couple dropped TD passes) and two missed field goals. The Thunderbolts defense kept them in the game despite two lost Bolts fumbles.
Turning point: Miller was carted off with 9:37 left in the third quarter. Northmont then stopped Erique Geiger twice from getting a first down after a second-and-3 situation. Barnett returned the ensuing punt for a score. Wayne went three and out and Northmont’s Joe Inkrott kicked a 30-yarder for the go-ahead field goal.
What this means: Wayne must figure out who badly Miller is hurt and if it is serious, find a way to move the ball on offense. Tre Moore got better later in the game and Geiger is a workhorse, but without Miller’s big plays, Wayne has be nearly perfect to execute long drives. Northmont’s defense is solid and learned from scrimmaging Cincinnati St. Xavier and playing Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Quotes: “He’s a great player. It hurts to see someone that good go down. It’s tough.” — Northmont quarterback Chase Belton about Miller.
“We’ll get back at it this week, evaluate the situation, find out what’s going on and find a way to win.” — Wayne coach Jay Minton.
On deck: Wayne (5-1) hosts Fairmont (5-1). Northmont (5-1) hosts Springfield (3-3). Fairmont holds the GWOC Central lead at 1-0 with Northmont and Springfield. Beavercreek, Centerville and Wayne are 0-1.
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TweetWho Northmont wants to stop tonight
Northmont High School football coach Lance Schneider said his team’s defense is solid and the offense has improved since a 23-3 loss against Cleveland St. Ignatius.
He also knows Wayne presents a lot of problems for foes. The Thunderbolts (4-1) host Wayne (5-0) at 7:30 p.m. today.
On defense, Schneider says the Warriors are “athletic and do a pretty good job of mixing things up. It’s hard to get a handle on what they do defensively.”
At times, the Warriors disguise coverages by keeping four defensive backs in a line and changing who moves where after the snap. Northmont quarterback Chase Belton needs to make correct reads to keep the offense going.
Offensively, Wayne features standouts in quarterback Braxton Miller and running back Erique Geiger. The key for Northmont is different than some might think, according to Schneider.
“Geiger is a big threat,” Schneider said. “With Braxton, you need to keep him in the pocket and make him throw the ball. If you let him run around, he’s going to beat you.”
Last year, Northmont led 14-0 but lost 21-14. As a freshman, Miller had just 13 yards of total offense and two interceptions. But Geiger was the difference with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 30-yard TD run.
The Thunderbolts have a good pair of cornerbacks in C.J. Barnett and Quintin Cooper. So it sounds like Northmont will take its chances with Miller throwing.
Special teams is a wild card. Geiger has been a prolific returner in his career. Northmont had a few punts blocked earlier in the season. So on offense and special teams, Geiger is the Thunderbolts’ top target.
“If we can stop him, we’ll win the football game,” Schneider said. “If we let him run amok, we’re in trouble.”
Follow this game and others “live” tonight on the Web from home or your mobile phone. From your home computer, go to http://www.daytondailynews.com/scores to view our live scoreboard. For access from your mobile phone, visit http://www.daytondailynews.com/livescores.”
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TweetKlenke to Miami
Quarterback Cory Klenke is the focal point of Coldwater’s run in defense of its 2007 D-IV state football title. But it’s baseball that the senior will turn to once his football career has ended.
An equally outstanding shortstop, Klenke has verbally committed to playing baseball at Miami University.
Last spring Klenke batted .414, scored 38 runs, had 43 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases. He also had three dingers, 13 doubles and a triple. And he was effective on the mound, going 6-3 with three saves and a 0.98 ERA.
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TweetBe-a-believer Beavercreek
Beavercreek has a shot at making the D-I, Region 3 football playoffs despite Centerville, Wayne and Northmont remaining on its regular-season schedule. But that means the Beavers must defeat Fairmont on Friday, Sept. 26, and Springfield, neither of which are sure things.
As for Creek beating Centerville and Wayne, all Creek’s stars must align. The Elks (45-0) and Warriors (28-0) combined to put a 73-0 hurt on the Beavers last season. Creek hasn’t played Northmont in at least 10 years.
The long-running Fairmont-Creek rivalry has been ramped up of late. It didn’t hurt that Beavers coach Scott Clodfelter was a fellow assistant at Fairmont with current head coach Brian Blevins. Think they might want to beat each other?
Beavercreek has beaten Fairmont the last two seasons, 28-21 an 42-28 in ‘06. But the four seasons prior were all Fairmont: 25-22 in double-OT in ‘06; 22-21 in ‘04; 17-10 in ‘03 and 13-12 in ‘02. That’s four wins by 12 points and a couple OTs.
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TweetStreakers
Coldwater owns the area’s longest football winning streak, 18. The Cavaliers haven’t lost since a Week 2 defeat to Marion Local last season.
Next best is, surprisingly, Beavercreek with 9. However, that’s because the Beavers have never advanced to the playoffs. Creek won its last four games in ’07 and take a 5-0 record to Fairmont on Friday, Sept. 26.
Of course, for those teams that do qualify for the postseason, the only way their seasons don’t end with a loss is to run the table and win a state title.
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TweetKiper loves area college players
The “Hairdo” is impressed with Miami Valley high school football.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. — famous for his helmet-hard ‘do — lists his top five senior and junior college football players/NFL prospects at various positions.
Some highlights:
Among senior tailbacks, Kiper has Michigan State’s Javon Ringer (Chaminade-Julienne) at No. 1. Among senior fullbacks is Louisville’s Brock Bolen (Valley View) at No. 3.
In the senior outside linebacker category, Kiper lists Ohio State’s Marcus Freeman (Wayne) at No. 3. At senior cornerback, Cincinnati’s Mike Mickens (Wayne) is No. 4.
Finally, among junior safeties, Kiper lists Wisconsin’s Shane Carter (Troy) at No. 5.
I’m not sure what the record is for area players drafted in a year by the NFL, but I’m guessing the 2009 class will break it.
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TweetStill looking
And then there were 10.
That’s how many winless football teams remain in the area midway through the regular season. Yellow Springs, Bethel and Indian Lake posted their first wins last week.
The Bulldogs (1-4) leaned on some final-minute dramatics. Ridgemont scored with two minutes left to lead 22-20. YS struck back with a 54-yard strike from Ryan Newsome to Raphael Allen. That put kicker Joe Fugate in field goal range, and he delivered a game-winning 22-yarder with 25.8 seconds left.
Bethel beat National Trail 24-21 in a battle of winless Cross County Conference rivals and Indian Lake stunned Bellefontaine 14-7 in a Central Buckeye Conference game. The Chieftains were 9-2 last season, falling only to unbeaten Tippecanoe in the regular season and in their D-III opening playoff game to Shelby.
Ten still looking for wins: Belmont, Bradford, Jefferson, Marshall, Monroe, National Trail, Stebbins, Trotwood-Madison, Vandalia Butler and West Carrollton. All are 0-5 except Belmont and Jefferson, both 0-4.
National Trail has has the longest running losing streak at 26. Stebbins is next at 15.
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TweetFamily Feud Tennis-Style
It’ll be Family Feud Tennis-Style Tuesday at Centerville. Centerville junior Tory Painter will be playing against Beavercreek, coached by her father Charlie.
“We both talk smack leading up to the match, but it’s all in fun,” said Tory. “I have so much respect for him and his 500-plus tennis wins. When he coached at Wright State, I would travel with the team and I fell in love with the game.”
Painter combines with her second doubles teammate Elise Ranich for a 9-2 record.
Said the elder Painter: “I normally bring along an assistant (Eric Cusick) to coach against Tory so it takes little pressure off me. I did coach against her in the GWOC last year and it was really tough and an unusual situation. Tory is a strong enough player that it is not an issue.”
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TweetIt’s official: Alter football team is 3-2
Delayed by last week’s windstorm and the ensuing power outages, the Ohio High School Athletics Association acknowledged Monday receiving the letter from Alter High School regarding forfeits from Weeks 1 and 2.
OHSAA Assistant Commissioner Debbie Moore said the forfeitures will be accepted and reflected in the official computer ratings, which also were delayed by a lack of power at the OHSAA offices last week. Those will be published later this week.
Alter defeated Fairmont (39-7) and Bellbrook (49-14) on the field before learning it had used a player in his ninth semester of high school, which is against OHSAA bylaws. The Knights self-reported the offense to the state association.
Fairmont’s record is 4-1 in Division I, Region 4 and Bellbrook is 4-1 in Division II, Region 8. Alter (3-2) competes in Division IV, Region 16.
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TweetHigh-Octane Elks In Another Resounding Win
On paper, it was a mismatch. In reality, it was even worse as Centerville clobbered outmanned Miamisburg 54-0 in a Greater Western Ohio Conference crossover. The Elks generated its power game to the tune of 394 yards on 54 carries. It was the first time the south suburban schools had met since 1967. The series is now tied at 3-3.
Star (s) of the Game Defensive stalwarts Eric Engholm, Scott Cole, Sean Fickert, Jamael Green and Adam Replogle.
“We wanted to play hard, play fast and play assignment-sound football,” Engholm said. “The effort was there tonight from all eleven players.”
Said coach Ron Ullery: “Our defense controlled the line and came at them hard. The guys spent a lot of time in their backfield.”
Turning point Sophomore Tristin Boykin provided the electricity with a game-opening 88-yard kickoff return.
“I went to the middle, broke off to the side, saw a seam and only had one guy to beat and I broke that tackle,” Boykin said. “It’s a wonderful feeling scoring my first touchdown.”
What this means Coach Ullery gives his squad a midterm grade of a B. The Elks have generated some momentum entering next week’s GWOC Central opener against Springfield.
Quote “The best thing tonight was the improvement in the special teams with a kickoff return and a punt return (Drew Keister 39-yard return for a TD),” Ullery said. “The kickoff coverage was good.”
Stats Nick Miller bulled his way for 95 yards in 14 carries. “Nothing fancy, just an old-school, throwback, blue-collar guy who can equally play fullbakc or halfback.”
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TweetBORO BACK M’MMM GOOD
Springboro’s Antoin Campbell has emerged as a breakaway back and leads the Greater Western Ohio Conference in all-purpose yards (771 yards).
The junior is no longer under the radar after being ignored by the pre-season pundits. He was used solely as a receiver in the opener against Kings, but in the last three games he has rushed for 385 yards. He wants to be a blend of power and finesse at 5-11, 185 pounds.
“I’m pretty fast through the holes,” Campbell said. “I pride myself on going forward, never backward. My vision is improving each week and I’m learning to make better reads and finding the lanes…I enjoy watching Beanie Wells for his power and Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno for his quickness and vision.”
Said Panthers coach Ryan Wilhite: “Antoin is a dynamic ball carrier with some explosion. We felt we had to get the ball in his hands because he can make plays all over the field. He had five catches and an 85-yard kickoff return against Kings.”
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TweetGame of Week time/place up in air
Brookville’s football showdown against Dixie may not be played as scheduled. The two 4-0 teams featured in this week’s Dayton Daily News Game of the Week hope to play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 in Brookville.
But Brookville AD Mike Lindsey said the stadium’s power was knocked out by the weekend wind storm. The high school has power but the elementary school does not.
“We’re just floating on the mercy of DP&L,” Lindsey said. “Hopefully, they’ll get to this area.”
Brookville likely won’t make a decision on the game time and place until at least Thursday. Other options may include playing at nearby stadiums such as Tri-County North, Northmont or Milton-Union or postponing the game until Saturday afternoon or evening.
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TweetStorm sacks OHSAA
Lack of power has kept the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s offices closed again today, Sept. 16. That has delayed the release of the first Harbin Ratings for high school football, used to determine playoff participants.
The computer points were to have been released at noon on the OHSAA website. The ratings will be released once the office re-opens. For those that just can’t wait, visit joeeitel.com for an accurate projection.
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TweetAlter coach meets with parents to explain ineligible player situation
Staff Reports
Fully expecting their record to eventually drop from 4-0 to 2-2, the Alter Knights were back on the football practice field on Monday, Sept. 15.
Coach Ed Domsitz planned to explain the situation about an ineligible player to players’ puzzled parents Monday night.
“I understand that they go through the same emotions as the kids did and as the coaches have,” Domsitz said. “My biggest hope is — and people say, well, it’s coachspeak — I need their help to help us put this thing back together again.”
Domsitz said that a senior player repeated his sophomore year after transferring to Alter. Ohio High School Athletic Association bylaws only allow eight semesters of athletic eligibility.
This was the player’s ninth high school semester even though it was his first time on the team.
The third-teamer saw spot duty in Alter’s 39-7 win over Fairmont and 49-14 victory over Bellbrook.
Alter faces Hamilton Badin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Virgil Schwarm Stadium.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a bone of contention for them,” Badin coach Dave Wirth said. “I’m sure they want to take it out on whoever they play next.”
The OHSAA offices were closed Monday due to not having electricity after Sunday’s high winds. Assistant Commissioner Debbie Moore said the OHSAA will comment after it receives Alter’s letter about the situation.
TweetDunbar-Newark not over
The Aug. 29 game Dunbar led 21-3 at halftime against Newark will be finished … sometime.
OHSAA Assistant Commissioner Hank Zaborniak said Monday that Newark did not agree to end its home game when it was suspended due to weather.
The OHSAA has given the schools until Thursday to agree to a date and location or else the organization will do it for them.
For now, Dunbar is 4-0 and Newark is 1-3.
More football
Ross and Monroe have agreed to a two-year, home-and-home series, beginning in 2010.
The Butler County schools will meet in the second game of the season in both 2010 (at Monroe) and ‘11 (at Ross).
Soccer
Let’s do it. That’s the word from Beavercreek Athletic Director Ed Zink about today’s 7:30 p.m. boys showdown against visiting Centerville. “As long as we have power and the lights come on, we’ll be OK,” said Zink.
The Beavers (7-1-1) are the area’s top-ranked Division I team and No. 8 in the state. They also are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Columbus Prep. The Elks (8-0) are No. 2 in the state and beat Alter 1-0 last Saturday.
Like many area schools, Beavercreek was without power and closed Monday. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a calamity day this fast,” said Zink.
Golf
The girls GMC tournament for scheduled for today has been postponed with no date of reschedule yet.
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TweetMaking a state-ment? Coldwater wins MAC battle
Coldwater overcame a 14-0 deficit with 33 unanswered points in a game that drew statewide attention. Even scouts from Youngstown Cardinal Mooney showed up to watch. Coldwater’s defense held Marion to 141 yards in total offense and controlled the second half with an interception by Tony Harlamert, a third-down sack by Keith Wenning and Dusty Rutschilling to force a punt and a fumble recovery by Kurt Westerheide on Coldwater’s 3-yard line.
Star(s) of the Game: The Cavaliers’ quarterback tandem of Cory Klenke and Wenning. Klenke overcame five interceptions — including two that went for TDs — to complete 10-of-23 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Klenke hit receiver Zach Siefring in stride down the Cavs’ sideline for a 43-yard TD toss with 2:04 left in the first half to give the Cavs a 17-14 lead. Wenning threw two passes and both were big. Wenning — lined up at receiver early in the third quarter — caught Klenke’s lateral pass, waited and threw back across the field to hit Klenke for a 29-yard TD. He also found Rutschilling for a 49-yard gain on a fake punt.
Turning point: Klenke’s touchdown to Siefring. Getting the lead was a confidence boost for the Cavaliers, especially heading into halftime.
What this means: It’s by no means over, but Coldwater has an advantage in the Midwest Athletic Conference title chase. Marion is still in it but needs help.
Quote: “Cory is a tough kid. He was a little down on himself but we kept reminding him, ‘Hey, this is the way life is. Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.’ … “He’s the greatest. You want your daughter to marry him. Seriously, that’s the kind of guy he is.” — Coldwater coach John Reed
On deck: After a tough game they both get to relax a bit, right? Hardly. Coldwater travels to undefeated Anna and Marion hosts undefeated St. Henry.
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TweetElks Rebound In A Rush
Centerville responded favorably after its tough 34-30 defeat to Cincinnati Moeller. The formidable Elks throttled Troy 48-14, generating 443 yards on the ground.
Star of the Game: Quarterback Logan Hanes orchestrated the powerful triple-option and rambled for 139 yards on 13 carries.
Turning point: DB John Ehrensberger’s sack of Tyler Wright at the 2:18 mark of the first quarter. The Trojans were facing a fourth-and-two at the Centerville 15-yard line. The Elks scored four plays later, making it 14-6 and they never looked back.
What this means: The scary-good offense gives the Elks confidence as they approach the midpoint of the season.
Quote: “It was a physical mismatch on offense. They’re like a Colerain. We had to change our defense after seeing so many spread offenses…Maybe we were intimidated here. Who knows. I was disappointed with our missed tackles.” — Troy coach Steve Nolan.
On deck: Centerville will host Miamisburg next Friday. Note to the Vikings. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
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TweetIt … could … be … a … record
Senior Zach Melling needs a bit more than 600 yards rushing to become Greenville’s all-time rushing leader. Mark Eldridge set the record with 2,062 yards from 1990-92, according to Green Wave coach T.J. Powers.
The area’s best — and only — independent Division II program is going for its second straight shutout at winless West Carrollton on Friday, Sept. 12. Last week Greenville (2-1) blanked Franklin 23-0 and Melling rumbled for TD runs of 13, 4 and 1 yards.
Greenville hasn’t posted consecutive shutouts since 1996.
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TweetNike Swoosh Lands at Centerville
The Nike swoosh has landed at Centerville High School this week. The sports giant included Centerville in its “5 Days to Friday” campaign. The campaign is in its second year, but this is its first trip to Ohio.
Nike gave business and marketing students 300 custom-branded Centerville Football t-shirt as tools to generate a profit. A portion of the student’s proceeds will benefit The Sonny Unger Foundation.
At last night’s practice the Elks were given new Nike gloves on a trial basis. Tomorrow, the student body will be treated to a tailgate barbecue. Coaches will be grilling and football players will be serving food. On Aug. 21, Nike kicked off its Ohio campaign at Cleveland Glenville, unveiling a remodeled team room.
Football head coach-athletic director Ron Ullery is appreciative of Nike’s efforts.
“It’s something that drums up interest for the Friday night game (vs. Troy),” Ullery said. “It’s not just a football game here. It’s a community event and this all adds to the electricity.”
By the way, all 80 Elks players are suited in Nike apparel and gear. There’s no official contract.
“We pay for our own uniforms,” Ullery said. “Players get excited at wearing what they feel is the best gear around. It’s a great brand.”
Nike, Adidas and Under Armour compete aggressively for that target audience — male and female high school athletes ages 14 to 18. Everywhere you look high school football is en vogue.
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TweetDixie’s Tarpley credits Valley View’s Niswonger for SWBL quality
Second-year Dixie High School football coach David Tarpley tipped his cap to Valley View coach Jay Niswonger. Dixie is 3-0 for the first time in seemingly forever. The Greyhounds use a spread offense and even got accused of running up the score, something Niswonger has — fairly or unfairly — faced during his tenure.
“A lot of people talk about the level of football around here,” Tarpley said. “Jay has raised the level up in the (Southwestern Buckeye League). Look at the competition now in the SWBL — Milton-Union, Eaton, the others.
“Jay’s team made the playoffs (last year) at 5-5. That says something about that program. It’s good football (in the SWBL). At one time, it wasn’t good football.”
Niswonger’s teams won three state titles in the 1990s and are usually a fixture in the playoffs. The unspoken mantra has been, “If you don’t want to get hammered, get better.”
Tarpley credits Centerville’s Ron Ullery, Wayne’s Jay Minton and Northmont’s Lance Schneider for not being afraid to take some lumps from Cincinnati schools in an effort to get better.
“We’re getting more and more competitive,” Tarpley said. “Those coaches have raised the bar in this area.”
As for the Greyhounds, who battle Preble Shawnee this weekend, three wins is only three wins. But it’s a big deal in New Lebanon, where the last winning season is believed to be 7-3 in 1983.
“We’re just enjoying the ride,” Tarpley said. “Kids are doing what they are supposed to be doing, the band’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing and the fans are doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
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TweetWill Chaotic A-11 Offense Catch On In Ohio
Brace yourself for the latest offshoot of the much-celebrated spread offense. It is called the “A-11 offense” and it originated at Piedmont High School near San Francisco.
The radical offense allows all 11 players to be initially eligible for a pass by utilizing the “scrimmage-kick exception”. The rule states that players not wearing Nos. 50 to 79 can be eligible to receive a down field pass. It’s fun, wild and drives defenses crazy, forcing the “D” to guess which players to cover downfield.
It substitutes receivers and backs for offensive linemen. A center and two tight ends surround the ball and two quarterbacks are featured in the shotgun formation. Six receivers are split out wide. Only five players can go downfield to catch a pass.
Riverside-Brookfield, near Chicago, runs the offense very effectively.
“I’ve seen it on film and I’m sure it will be around here eventually,” said Centerville coach Ron Ullery. “Will it revolutionize the game? That’s highly doubtful. It still comes down to who blocks and tackles the best.”
I’m sure that football-mad scientists like coach Jay Niswonger at Valley View and the Schneider clan (Lance and Mike) at Northmont are taking notice.
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TweetColdwater, Marion Local top state poll
Coldwater coach John Reed didn’t need a state poll to tell him what he already knew: His high school football team’s schedule is brutal.
Four of the Cavaliers’ next five games are against teams ranked in the first state poll, which was released Monday, Sept. 8 It starts Friday when Coldwater, ranked No. 1 in Division IV, hosts the top-ranked D-V team in Marion Local. In all, five Midwest Athletic Conference schools are ranked.
For Reed, though, it’s not about where you start. It’s where you finish.
“(It doesn’t matter) until the last one. If you’re still on top in the last one that means you probably went undefeated,” Reed said. “So that one is always nice.”
The Miami Valley fared well in the first poll with 10 teams. Six area teams were ranked in 2007.
• In Division I, Wayne shared No. 6 with Dublin Coffman.
• In Division II, Tecumseh was the lone representative at No. 10.
• Division III is loaded with No. 5 Tippecanoe, No. 6 St. Marys Memorial and No. 7 Valley View.
• Coldwater tops D-IV with Alter at No. 2.
• The MAC placed three teams in D-V with No. 1 Marion Local, No. 3 St. Henry and No. 9 Anna.
• Mechanicsburg is No. 3 in D-VI.
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TweetBeavers next step? Maybe the playoffs
Football coaches don’t (or won’t admit to) looking ahead, but we can. And Beavercreek’s first 3-0 start since 1970 may be the start of a postseason push for the Beavers.
Why? Well, first of all, Beavercreek is in Region 3. And while no one is sneezing at the Columbus-area teams, it isn’t the meat-grinder that is Region 4.
Only seven teams in Region 3 are 3-0. In fact, only 11 teams are 2-1 or better, meaning 17 teams are 1-2 or 0-3. If the Beavers could defeat Fairborn, Xenia, Fairmont and Springfield, they could go 0-3 against Centerville, Wayne and Northmont and finish 7-3.
A loss against one of those first four teams and a win against one of the Big Three would be even better, given the seasons the Elks, Warriors and Thunderbolts usually have.
Last season, three teams made the Region 3 playoffs with a 7-3 record. Beavercreek was 12th at 6-4. The Beavers have never made the playoffs, which began in 1972.
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TweetBeavercreek making history
Here are some things that happened the last time Beavercreek started 3-0: Monday Night Football began, the Beatles broke up and Richard Nixon was president. Yes, these are great days to be a Beaver. Beavercreek remained undefeated after its 45-21 win over Sidney on Friday, Sept. 5, ending the Yellow Jackets’ own bid to stay unbeaten.
Star of the game: Take your pick. Is it Beavercreek quarterback Tim Carroll, who completed 10-of-14 passes for 124 yards and 2 TDs and scrambled 53 yards for 2 more TDs? How about Beavercreek receiver Joe Joyce, who caught five passes for 88 yards and a TD and ran for another? Or even defensive lineman Adam Walls, who recovered a fumble in the first quarter and had a key third-down sack to force a punt in the third quarter. I’ll go with Gabe Henry. He couldn’t walk off the field on his own power after rolling his ankle on Creek’s opening drive. He returned to rush for 177 yards on 25 carries and a TD. Sidney’s Jack Foy (175 yards total offense and a 95-yard kickoff return for a TD) deserves mention, too.
Turning point: Trailing 31-21 with 11:10 left in the fourth quarter, Sidney went for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 40. Foy broke a tackle in the backfield but couldn’t elude a pair of Creek defenders closing fast. The Beavers used the short field for a four-play drive, capped by Brad Sundstrom’s 5-yard TD catch, to make it 38-21 just two minutes later.
What this means: Beavercreek has a way to go before challenging for the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central title, but the Beavers can’t be taken for granted. Sidney, which wore down against Creek’s size advantage, is still a player in the GWOC North despite the loss.
Quote: “We can’t get too crazy,” said Beavercreek coach Scott Clodfelter. “It doesn’t matter if its 3-0 or 4-0. Fairborn is next week and that’s what the kids have to buy into.”
On deck: Beavercreek is at Fairborn and Miamisburg is at Sidney in GWOC crossover games.
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TweetLook who reached the college end zone
We don’t want to forget about the exceptional area high school football players after they leave. As you watch today’s college contests, watch for more local guys to hit paydirt.
Among the local noteables to score touchdowns (or throw TD passes) last week were:
Ohio State’s Todd Boeckman (St. Henry) — 197 passing yards, 2 TDs in a 43-0 win over Youngstown State.
West Virginia’s (now-converted TE) Will Johnson (Centerville) — 3 catches for 22 yards and one TD in a 48-21 victory against Villanova.
Bowling Green’s (now-converted RB/WR) Anthony Turner (Chaminade-Julienne) — 8 carries for 16 yards, 2 catches for 7 yards and a TD in the 27-17 upset of Pittsburgh.
Michigan’s Michael Shaw (Trotwood-Madison) — 2 rushes for 1 yard, 3 catches for 17 yards and a score in the 25-23 loss to Utah.
Michigan State’s Javon Ringer (C-J) — 1 catch for 17 yards and 27 carries for 81 yards and two TDs in a 38-31 loss at California.
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TweetPiqua Kardiac Kids In Waiting
Piqua won its second straight overtime contest Friday with a dramatic 19-16 win over Springboro. Last week the Indians outlasted Fairfield 13-7 in triple overtime.
Star of the game: Quarterback Cole Selsor stretched his body out over the goal line to score on a four-yard run, giving the Indians the win in OT.
Turning point: With 4:40 to go in regulation, Selsor converted a fourth-and-five on the 45 with a 26-yard run. The Indians would score six plays later.
What this means: Piqua served fair warning that it will be a factor again in the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division despite heavy graduation losses from last year’s 8-4 playoff team. Players like untested Selsor have emerged in the early going. Tempering the win was a left knee injury to linebacker and leading tackler Cody Gutierrez.
Quote: “Give credit to Piqua. They made couple great plays down the stretch in regulation to send it in overtime and the quarterback gave a great effort on the goal line at the end,” said Springboro coach Ryan Wilhite. “Our hearts are broken — coaches and players — because we thought the effort was there for our first win.”
On deck: Piqua visits Springfield.
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TweetGetting his kicks
And yet even more Yellow Springs football.
The village that brings you Dave Chappelle and a few other choice figures also can claim Stanford University place kicker Aaron Zagory.
The 2004 Yellow Springs H.S. grad had two field goals and four extra-point kicks in the Cardinal’s 36-28 season-opening defeat of Oregon State.
The senior led Stanford in scoring last season (37 points). While at YS, Zagory played football, soccer and swam.
He also was the Bulldogs’ valedictorian, which might have had something to do with him being accepted to Stanford.
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TweetIt’s a numbers game
Yellow Springs has always fought a football numbers game, and this season is no different.
The 0-2 Bulldogs are down to 17 players after losing a couple more seniors to non-serious injuries. At least eight YS players see double-duty.
Something should give Friday, Sept. 5, when Yellow Springs is at neighboring Cedarville (0-2).
With just 30 players, the Indians aren’t exactly an overwhelming force. But that’s what the Red & White will look like from across the field.
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TweetRhino Package At Centerville With Replogle
How would you like beefy defensive lineman Adam Replogle coming at you with a five-yard start?
Centerville has utilized the 6-3, 275-pound Replogle in end zone and short yardage situations. Some teams call it “The Rhino Package” or an impersonation of William “The Refrigerator” Perry (Chicago Bears circa 1985). The Elks call it “The Big Boy Package” with the Indiana-bound Replogle.
Replogle is no fatso like Perry. Replogle uses his athletic ability and speed effectively. He has three touchdowns in the first two games. Seven carries for 28 yards.
“I’m having a lot of fun and making contact,” Replogle said. “The last time I ran the ball was in the sixth grade with the Wee Elks. I just keep the ball high and tight and keep punishing people. It’s smash-mouth all the way and great work up front by all the blockers. They find me the end zone.”
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