Centerville capitalizes on Northmont's errors

Centerville’s Tristin Boykin is brought down by two Northmont defenders near the goal line in the second quarter at Northmont on Friday, Oct. 16.

Staff Photo by Jim Witmer Centerville’s Tristin Boykin is brought down by two Northmont defenders near the goal line in the second quarter at Northmont on Friday, Oct. 16.

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 1:34 AM Saturday, October 17, 2009

CLAYTON — After the jubilant Centerville High School football players started coming out of the dressing room following a round of cheers, Elks coach Ron Ullery shook his head.

“I don’t know if there are words,” Ullery said, “for the way our defense played tonight.”

On a night when the Centerville offense did not meet its lofty offensive averages, the defense dominated against Northmont in a 32-0 victory Friday, Oct. 16.

The Thunderbolts (4-4, 1-2) gained just 101 yards as the Elks (7-1, 3-0) got four field goals from Chris Kuzma and a pair of short scores from fullback Nick Miller to pull away as the top area Division I team in the Miami Valley.

Five key Centerville defensive or special teams plays — an interception, a fumble, two blocked punts and a failed fake field goal by Northmont — all set up the Elks in Northmont territory, and the Elks capitalized with points all five times.

“Our defense is what really won the game,” said Centerville quarterback Zak Bertram. “That was probably their best game of the season.”

Centerville gained just 177 rushing yards, but the Elks capitalized on Northmont mistakes to take pressure off of its offense.

“We just don’t value the football,” Northmont coach Lance Schneider said. “I would say we should punt on first down, but we would probably get it blocked.”

Centerville scored the game’s first points when a 51-yard pass from Bertram to Tristin Boykin set up Kuzma for a 34-yard field goal (he later connected from 40, 32 and 20 yards) with 9:16 left in the second quarter. The Elks then got 16 more second-quarter points and led 19-0 at halftime.

Boykin’s 103 rushing yards for Centerville helped set up three second-half scores.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com

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