Centerville falls to St. Xavier in flurry

Bombers jump ahead early, keep game out of Centerville’s reach.

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By Joseph Stueve, Contributing Writer Updated 12:56 AM Sunday, November 8, 2009

CINCINNATI — The Centerville Elks’ football season ended earlier than they hoped Saturday, Nov. 7.

Cincinnati St. Xavier routed the Elks 37-12 in the Division I, Region 4 quarterfinal at St. Xavier Stadium.

Bombers quarterback Luke Massa threw for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns and running back Conor Hundley ran for 87 yards and a score.

Centerville coach Ron Ullery said he still views this season as a successful one.

“I think we’re going to look back and see we had a very successful season,” Ullery said. “I don’t think anybody expected them to win eight games this year ... except the people in our locker room.”

St. Xavier (9-2) wasted no time in the opening quarter as the Bombers jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first seven minutes. Massa, a University of Cincinnati commit, found receiver Tanner Vidal for a 23-yard TD pass on the third play from scrimmage and Hundley scored on an impressive 10-yard run later in the quarter.

Then Centerville (8-3) quarterback Zak Bertram led a quick scoring drive in the second quarter to cut the lead to 13-6.

The Elks seemed to steal more momentum after a St. Xavier interception, but could not capitalize. Bertram misread a pitch and Bombers defensive back Gregory Versteeg scooped the fumble for a 48-yard return for a touchdown.

The Bombers responded with 17 consecutive points to push the game out of reach.

Bertram accounted for 249 of the Elks’ 311 yards of offense.

“Zak is a typical Centerville football player,” Ullery said. “He overachieves and plays well above his ability level and never quits.”

Bombers coach Steve Specht praised Bertram’s performance after the game.

“I told (Bertram) after the game that I’d take a kid like that every day of the week,” he said. “What a battler.”

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Centerville is a Dayton area power house program that shows it can compete year in year out with whatever talent is available for the most part. If a parent transfers their child to or from a program they have that right, this is America. Plus this isn't college where you can get a fifth year. Transfers may or may not impact a program. For all the Trortwood bashing, not one transfer has helped them win a State title. And CJ has rapped Trotwood for years and all those kids aint Catholic....

Coach P
4:18 PM, 11/10/2009

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You boys could not even beat that huber hts team. Beating the catholics from the south was not gonna happen. See you next year. Please, if just one thing, beat the Warriors next year. That is always the highlight of you career at Centerville.

Lost Elk
10:55 AM, 11/9/2009

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If a young man wants to move from one school to another and the school he is transferring to has open enrollement. I have no problem with that. Recruting? Every school says the other is doing it. How about the kids you have not dedicating themselves to the football program 12 months of the year. You cant do nothing until August, put the pads on and compete with the big schools from down south who have and enforce the off season workouts. Voluntary? Yes. Manditory you bet. Been there, done that.

old coach
9:46 AM, 11/9/2009

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Mr. Creed. Go back and look at you statement. You said "The Elks completed over one thousand passing yards this game". Honestly I knew what you meant. Dont get so geeked up over high school football!! Bad for your health at such a young age. If a football game is the worst disappointment you ever have in your life you will be extremely lucky.

Old 54
9:11 AM, 11/9/2009

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NOTE TO COACH ULLERY:

Next year will be 2010.

Your 1970's offense will no longer work if you plan on making a run at a state championship. I can't see any reason why you cannot find a kid that can throw the ball at a school as large as Centerville.

Woody Hayes
4:35 PM, 11/8/2009

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