But it is reality. Creek defeated Fairmont, 31-24, on Friday night in a very spirited outing. Centerville had no trouble with Springfield 56-15.
So Creek (6-3 overall) takes a 3-1 GWOC Central record to Centerville (6-3) next week. The Elks are 4-0 in the division and will need a win for a shot at the Division I playoffs.
What makes this remarkable is that Creek was 1-9 last season. Prior to this season it had won only one GWOC Central game in the last three seasons.
The 6-3 season is only the second winning season the Beavers have had in 22 years. Its last winning campaign was 6-4 in 2007.
“Hard to believe, but these kids have earned it this season,” said Creek coach Scott Clodfelter. “Nothing fancy. Just hard-nosed football.”
Creek used the same formula it has used all season for success — run, run, run. The Beavers rushed 40 times for 292 yards.
Fairmont’s defense limited leading rusher Zach Smith, so quarterback Justin Weaver ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
An 80-yard interception return touchdown by Jake Jackson with 10:06 left in the second quarter gave Creek a 21-6 lead from which Fairmont could not recover. Firebirds quarterback Tom West threw two TD passes late in the fourth quarter, but this is the second straight season Fairmont (2-7, 0-4) has lost to Creek.
Tyler Reasoner led Creek with 16 tackles and a sack.
The game grew a bit ugly as time wore down with a lot of comments between coaches and players. Athletic directors Brian Donoher of Fairmont and Jim Smerz of Beavercreek decided with two minutes left that there would be no post-game handshake line so no unpleasantness would break out.
Despite their efforts, one Fairmont assistant coach was restrained by security .
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