Game of the Week
Centerville took out some of its frustration from a two-point loss to Moeller against Troy on Friday, Sept. 18, and Miamisburg is hoping for some good mojo from its home field.
Centerville’s trip to Miamisburg on Friday was chosen in online voting as the Dayton Daily News Game of the Week. The Elks (3-1) lost a heartbreaker to state No. 4 Moeller in Week 3, then topped Troy 40-7 on Friday. After an emotional win against Bellbrook to open the season, Miamisburg has dropped to 1-3, including a 21-13 home loss against Sidney on Friday.
Next week’s candidates
Northmont at Wayne
Lebanon at Springboro
Carroll vs. Alter at Fairmont
SPRINGBORO — With a little Ohio State football flavor, the Springboro High School football team is the last undefeated standing in the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
Following a 27-6 victory against Vandalia Butler on Friday, Sept. 18, Springboro improved to 4-0 with a mix of strong special teams, a bend-but-not-break defense and a pair of versatile running backs that has some comparing the style of coach Ryan Wilhite’s squad to those coached by Jim Tressel at Ohio State.
“There’s a lot to be said about what Coach Tressel believes, that you don’t want to put your defense in a bad spot,” Wilhite said. “We’ve been able to run the ball, do well in field position with our punt teams, and we’re a group that’s a never-say-never team.”
Springboro proved that early with a pair of late-game wins against Fairfield (13-10 in overtime) and Sycamore (17-10). In the opener, the defense held Fairfield to a field goal in overtime before the Panthers scored on five straight running plays. Against Sycamore, Springboro drove 55 yards late in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead score with 1:30 left.
Spectators have seen plenty of running backs Antoin Campbell and Taylor Franz, but Wilhite has also been impressed with the tough play of inside linebackers Jake Dwyer and Ben Kuczek.
Springboro doesn’t have an easy road coming. The Panthers must play Lebanon (3-1), Trotwood-Madison (2-2) and Fairborn (3-1), although they host each of those opponents.
“Offensively, people can see the stats, but the thing we have is chemistry,” Wilhite said.
Speaking of undefeated
Carlisle (4-0) remains the last undefeated in the Southwestern Buckeye League after topping Waynesville in a 41-33 shootout Friday. How tough is it going forward? The Indians’ next six opponents have a combined 14-10 record.
Fairborn’s next test
Following their emotional 13-10 overtime victory against Beavercreek, Fairborn will travel to Northmont on Friday in the latest game the Skyhawks hope can convince observers they’re for real.
Northmont, meanwhile, will get the tough crossover game before facing Wayne the next week in the first matchup of the season between members of the “Big 3.”
Keep an eye on ...
Beavercreek suffered two fourth-quarter fumbles in that overtime loss to Fairborn, including one on a fielded punt that set up in the tying field goal. The Beavers (3-1) take their frustration into Xenia on Friday before their march through the GWOC Central Division that they hope proves they’re one of the area’s elite.
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