This weekend's high school football matchups
Friday, September 22, 2006
EATON (4-0) vs. OAKWOOD (3-1)
Extras
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Mack Hummon Stadium, Oakwood
Key players: Eaton sr. QB Jeremy Fudge, sr. WR Brandon Robinson; Oakwood jr. RB Chris Hardy, sr. DB-WR Mitch Jones.
Quick slants: Eaton features a high-octane, up-tempo offense triggered by Fudge who spreads the wealth. Robinson is his favorite target and must be accounted for. Kicker Michael Bolinger is effective from 40 yards and in. RB Ben Noble provides balance. A hard-hitting, veteran defense (eight returnees) complements the heralded "O." The Lumberjacks can't afford a letdown after an emotional win over Valley View (students stormed Barker Field afterward). It was a landmark win. Hardy is a workhorse with 616 yards in 94 carries for a 6.6 yards-per-carry average and 11 TDs. Jones is a playmaker on both sides of the ball. The winner here will likely challenge Bellbrook and Milton-Union for divisional supremacy.
LEBANON (2-2) vs. FAIRMONT (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Roush Stadium, Kettering
Radio: Info Radio-AM (1610)
Key players: Lebanon sr. QB Shaun Addison, sr. OL Trent Burns; Fairmont sr. RB Alex Gross, sr. DT Ben Roerig.
Quick slants: Fairmont is back on track after its loss to Alter in the opener. Marc Pedro is an efficient QB while Gross anchors the rushing attack. The Firebirds' game plan will be centered on dual-threat QB Addison who plays with a fullback mentality. Warriors self-destructed against previously-winless Beavercreek. They will have to deal with the Firebirds' physicality and depth. Not to mention the homefield advantage.
VANDALIA BUTLER (2-2) vs. SPRINGBORO (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Panther Stadium, Springboro
Key players: Springboro jr. RB Robert Little sr. LB Spencer Vanover; Butler QB Jason Albertini, RB Logan Zechar.
Quick slants: "Growing Pains" is the storyline at Boro with its first-year coach Ryan Wilhite and unproven players. Robert Little keys the running game while Vanover and Scott Schockman are defensive mainstays. Panthers are making too many mental and physical errors, but will welcome a home game. Butler's balanced attack has gotten a lift from strong-armed Albertini and rushing threat Logan Zechar (178 yards against Tecumseh). Keep an eye on Jason Sutherland, a threat as a receiver and punt returner.
CENTERVILLE (2-2) vs. XENIA (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Cox Stadium, Xenia
Radio: WCWT-FM (101.5)
Key players: Centerville sr. LB Tyler Replogle; jr. QB David Flemming...Xenia sr. QB Zach Furlong; jr. RB Ashton Jackson.
Quick slants: The schedule makers didn't do Xenia any favors giving it Wayne and Centerville back-to-back. The Bucs lost to the Warriors 45-17. With its GWOC Divisional play beginning next week, Xenia should be anxious to get its non-league slate over. Centerville is coming off a 21-0 loss to Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) in the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge and has dropped two straight (also lost to Northmont). The Elks will be eager to right the ship on the road. Centerville has won three straight in the series.
TIPPECANOE (3-1) vs. GREENON (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Springfield
Key players: Tipp sr. RB Andy Ford; Greenon jr. QB/DB Zack Englefield.
Quick slants: Ford lit up Graham last week with TD runs of 30, 28, 15 and 9 yards. Too bad the Red Devils are in the tough CBC Kenton Trail Divison, with unbeatens Tecumseh and Urbana. Its six division brethren are a combined 19-5. All that means the bottom has dropped out of the CBC Mad River Division, where the Knights reside.
COLDWATER (4-0) vs. ST. HENRY (4-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Wally Post Athletic Complex, St. Henry
Radio: WCSM-FM (96.7)
Key players: Coldwater QB Sam Slavik, DB Cory Klenke; St. Henry QB Doug Griesdorn, RB/LB Andy Puthoff.
Quick slants: As the defending league champs Coldwater remains the team to beat. That's what St. Henry has planned. It won't be easy. Coldwater holds a 22-10-1 record in the series and has won nine straight. The Cavaliers have to overcome key losses to speedster Ryan Geier and defensive standout Joe Wermert. A fast start might be critical. St. Henry has yet to allow any first-quarter points (and just 21 overall), while the offense has outscored opponents 93-7 in the first half. If it comes down to a kicking game both teams are prepared. St. Henry's Jon Clune is 2-for-2 on field goals and 15-for-17 on extra points. Coldwater's Mario de la Rosa has made 18-of-20 PATs but has yet to attempt a field goal. Still left on Coldwater's schedule are Versailles and Delphos St. John's, while St. Henry's biggest tests are Anna and Versailles.
PIQUA (3-1) vs. MIAMISBURG (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Harmon Field, Miamisburg
Radio: WPTW-AM (1570), WONE-AM (980)
Key players: Piqua RB Brandon Saine, WR Phil Collier; Miamisburg QB Jason Williams, RB Dylan Crouse.
Quick slants: The final GWOC crossover game for both teams. Miamisburg has played good run defense by allowing just 153 yards per game. They get their biggest challenge with Saine, who averages 174. Piqua as a team averages 353 rushing. Burg has a talented back in Crouse (138 per game). Both get solid QB play from Williams and Piqua's Justin Hemm. Burg's record is a bit deceiving. The three losses came by 13 points to Bellbrook, 9 to Fairmont and 2 to Northmont last week. The Vikings lost one of the area's biggest upset bids when Northmont kicked a 22-yard FG with :02 left to win. Piqua has held its last three opponents (Xenia, Springfield North, Greenville) to 12 points. The Indians have yet to score less than 41 points this season.
MILTON-UNION (4-0) vs. VALLEY VIEW (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Jim Barker Field, Germantown
Key players: Milton-Union QB/DB Mitchell Evans, WR Eric Antonides; Valley View QB John Day, RB Travis Dalton.
Quick slants: Prior to the season this had league title and playoff implications for both teams. Now it's become a trap game for Milton, as in don't underestimate Valley View. There's little chance of that. Any win over the Spartans is worth bragging about. The Bulldogs got one last season, a stunning 54-21 victory, their first over the Spartans since 1982. A Milton win keeps the Bulldogs atop the SWBL Southwestern Division standings with co-leader Eaton, which comes to Milton next week. A Valley View win keeps the Spartans in the SWBL championship hunt and salvages some major computer points to keep their slim playoff chances alive. Valley View was down to fourth-string QB John Day after injuries and suspensions. The Spartans have had trouble scoring points, with 9 or less in four games. Milton hasn't scored less than 28 in four games.
SIDNEY (1-3) vs. FAIRBORN (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Buschemeyer Field, Fairborn
Radio: WMVR-FM (105.9)
Key players: Sidney sr. QB Devin Langhorst; sr. RB Austin McVety...Fairborn sr. QB Josh Copeland; sr. WR/DB Don Houser.
Quick slants: Fairborn is suddenly a threat for both the GWOC Central crown and a D-I playoff berth. The Skyhawks, who beat Troy on the final play last week, don't have a team remaining on their schedule with a winning record to date. Copeland has become one of the region's top dual-threat QBs and teams with Houser to provide arguably the area's most explosive pitch and catch combo. Defensively, Fairborn is just as impressive. The Skyhawks are among the GWOC leaders in total defense (193 yards per) and scoring defense (13.5 points). Sidney has been outscored 107-28 the last three weeks, including a 42-21 loss to Troy in Week 3.
FRANKLIN (2-2) vs. BELLBROOK (2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: David L. Holmes Field
Key players: Franklin sr. QB Chad Schrock; sr. RB/LB Jake Braden...Bellbrook jr. RB Jared Edwards; sr. QB Ryan Rutledge.
Quick Slants: The Wildcats are on a two-game skid after opening with wins over Carlisle and Preble Shawnee. Braden and his brother Nick (junior) provide a formidable backfield. Looking for its third win in coach Rodney Roberts first season, Franklin will have to play its best ball to get it against the Eagles. Bellbrook is reeling after a tough triple-OT loss to Monroe in which it led 17-0 in the third quarter. Edwards is solid, but consistency has plagued the offense. Franklin could catch the Eagles looking ahead to next week's Valley View game.
BEAVERCREEK (1-3) vs. TROTWOOD (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Trotwood
Key players: Creek sr. RB De Wallace; jr. QB Zach Domicone. T-M sr. QB Domonick Britt.
Quick slants: Creek showed some life last week, rallying from a 21-7 decifit to sting Lebanon. Domicone turned in his best game to date. Should Wallace, a 1,300-yard gainer last season, get untracked the Beavers could be formidable. The Rams are plenty tough: big, fast, experienced playing with a sense of high-scoring urgency. Britt has already surpassed 1,000 yards passing.
ALTER (4-0) vs. ROGER BACON (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Centerville
Radio: WING-AM (1410)
Key players: Alter sr. RB Chris Roark; Bacon RB Reggie Clay.
Quick slants: After so many close calls and deep playoff runs, let's just call this the year of the Knights. All, it seems, that's brown and bruise is golden for the state's top-ranked Division III team. What's not to like? Hard-edged offense and punishing defense, just like coach Ed Domsitz likes. Bacon qualifies as an honorary area team. The Spartans have beaten Valley View and lost to C-J and Fenwick. On deck is a date with Carroll.


