Centerville defeats Fairmont, captures share of GWOC Central title

Elks awaiting playoff fate

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 2:17 AM Saturday, October 31, 2009

CENTERVILLE — The Centerville High School marching band performed a tribute to Elvis at halftime, which is apropos since the football Elks played with an attitude of “It’s Now or Never” and left Fairmont looking “All Shook Up.”

Positioned in ninth place in its region and needing a win and some help to reach the playoffs, Centerville scored on all five of its first-half possessions in a 44-13 victory Friday night.

Getting five TDs and 130 rushing yards (on 15 carries) from senior running back Nick Miller, the Elks (8-2) captured a share of the GWOC Central title with a 4-1 mark.

“Our offense was very determined to not be stopped on fourth down, to not be stopped on third-and-short and finishing drives when they got in the red zone,” Elks coach Ron Ullery said.

Of the 5-foot-7, 235-pound Miller, Ullery said: “He’s deceptively athletic.”

The drama ended midway through the second quarter. Trailing 20-7, the Firebirds (4-6, 2-3 GWOC) shuffled to the Elks’ 32-yard line, but senior DB John Ehrensberger halted the surge with an interception.

Miller thundered to TD runs of 1, 1, 1, 3 and 11 yards, and kicker Chris Kuzma booted his area-leading ninth field goal (a 42-yarder).

“In this crazy region we’re in, if they happen to not get in, it’s a shame,” Fairmont coach Brian Blevins said of the Elks. “The dag-gone GWOC Central is tough. They’re deserving to go. I know some (playoff) teams would be glad if they’re not in.”

Told Blevins’ comments, Ullery said: “I agree with him. I think this team — other than a slip-up last week (against Wayne) — has gotten better every week. The senior class has done what most people before the season didn’t think they could do, which is win the GWOC Central. They never backed down from a challenge.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com

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