Week 6 Big Games; Dunbar takes on Detroit powerhouse; GWOC showdown; City League Showdown; Stars of Week 5

Heres the top 5 Games in Week 6 as we hit the 2nd part of the regular season in High School football

(1)  Centerville  (5-0)     @   Wayne (4-1)
No question, as this will be one of the best games in the GWOC this season. With Elks coach Brent Ullery riding the wave, Centerville will be tested by the Wayne Train as the Warriors have won 4 straight.
Both teams have real playoff expectations, with the real question being, can the Elks continue to show they are better than what people expect? Or will Wayne expose the Elks for the first time this season?
This game also has ties to teen suicide campaign, as L'Christian Blue Smith was featured in a Teen Against Suicide campaign, in which a portion of the proceeds of tonights game will go to a foundation supporting teens against cancer.
For the video and more, click here:

(2)  Miamisburg  (3-2)   @  Fairmont  (4-1)

 In what is shaping up as a pre playoff game, can Miamisburg get back on track against a Firebirds team who was shut down last week against Beavercreek? Or will Fairmont dust off the lackluster offensive effort last week and push back into the playoff run?
 The loser of this game could see its playoff hopes dashed.

(3) Ponitz  (2-3)       @   Thurgood (2-3) 
In the City League Game of the Week, which team will show the most desire to get it done after both teams enjoyed great offensive outputs last week? Ponitz has won last 2 games, and has found a real rhythm on offense. Thurgood amassed 40+ points last week and has found a nice offensive rhythm the last 3 games.

(4)  Dunbar  (4-1)    @ Detroit Central Catholic

Can the Wolverines take on one of Detroits most prestigious schools as they face a strong Central Catholic team? The Wolverines have shown a lot of improvement since game 1, and they know if they can go up to Detroit and rep well, it could be a prelude for a big run later in the season.

(5) Beavercreek  (5-0)   @  Springboro (2-3)

Can the Beavers escape the trap game at a frustrated Springboro team? The Beavers stymied Fairmont last week with a great running game and a stout D that has the Beavers on the move towards the playoffs. But the schedule toughens, and despite Springboro's record, they are still a big threat to knock off Beavercreek.

(6) Belmont  (5-0)  vs  Cincy Hughes (Welcome Stadium, Saturday)  

Can the Bison continue to throttle opponents like they have all season? Hughes will come into Welcome and grab a monumental win? Or will Belmont continue to hold opponents without a TD?

Key Stars from Week 5:

Markell Stephens Peppers - Trotwood
Tavion Thomas - Dunbar
Seth Towns -  Dunbar
Leonard Taylor -Springfield
Harris - Wayne
Jaden Rucker Furlow - Belmont
Elijah Malcolm  - Belmont

Key GWOC Games Tonight; Spoon-Fed Rankings Week 2

Here's the Top Games this Tuesday in Week 3 of HS Hoops

Where does Belmont rank in Spoon-Fed Weekly Rankings? 

(1)  Beavercreek 3-0  @  Wayne 2-0

Can the 'Creek knock off the highly touted Warriors? 

(2) Miamisburg 2-1  @ Springfield 1-1
Which team will move into upper echelon of GWOC?

(3) Yellow Springs  @ Stivers  3-1 
Can the Tigers continue the good early season play?

(4) Trotwood 1-0 @ West Carrollton 
How many will The Rams score tonight? & can the Pirates young talent battle against the premiere squad in the Miami Valley?

(5) Centerville 2-0 @ Fairmont 1-1 
Will the Elks continue its great play against a scrappy Fairmont team?

(6) Northmont   @ Springboro  
Can Northmont get a big W against a Boro squad who was shut down last weekend and will be ready to play?



Here's our Spoon-Fed Rankings going into Week 2 of HS Hoops
(DIVISION 1-2)

(1) Trotwood -Rams in top spot after big win
(2) Wayne  - Warriors led by Blue Smith 
(3) Dunbar  -Ran past Belmont and Col. Briggs 
(4) Centerville - Elks dominated Boro
(5) Alter  - Knights led by Laravie 33
(6) Northmont  -Bolts have a lot of talent 
(7) Beavercreek  -The Creek suprise team of GWOC
(8) Springfield  -The Field led by Davis lost in OT
(9) Belmont  - Bison fell to Wolverines, still tough
(10) Butler - Vandalia look to have good season 

Ponitz ruins Meadowdale homecoming; "The Boro" squeaks by The Burg"; "Blue" Smith leads Wayne; Trotwood cruises; Springfield wins big battle

Here's the recap on what happened in Week 7 of HS sports in the Miami Valley:

L'Christian "Blue" Smith scores one of his 2 Long TD's  vs Creek

(1) The "Boro" shocks the "Burg" - 
Springboro scored with 2 seconds left in the game, and in dramatic fashion, scored on a 2-point conversion to defeat Miamisburg 39-38. The win puts Springboro at 5-2 & drops Miamisburg to 5-2. Both are in position to make the playoffs.

Springboro star receiver headed for paydirt vs Miamisburg

(2) Ponitz ruins Meadowdale homecoming, blanks Lions - Ponitz  handled  business and shut out Meadowdale 31-0  @ Welcome Stadium Friday night. It was the Lions homecoming,  but it was all Ponitz all night as they run their record to 4-3 while Meadowdale falls to 2-5. Pointz star RB Jamil Freeman led the way for the Panthers.

(3) "Blue" Smith shines vs Beavercreek  - Star WR L'Christian  "Blue" Smith scored on 2 long TDS early in the game and Wayne cruised past Beavercreek 44-0. Wayne now rolls to 6-0-1 while Beavercreek falls to 3-4. Once Smith entered the zone, there was no turning back for the Warriors.


(4) Dunbar wins big on the road - Dunbar got a much needed road victory in Cincy as they defeated Cincy Western Hills 50-8. Tavion Thomas led the attack with another great game (100+ rushing, 2 TDs), and the defense, led by star LB Antwuan Johnson's Interception.

Star LB Antwuan Johnson is the unquestioned leader of a stingy Wolverines D unit.

Dunbar is now 6-1 on the season, their best record in over 20 years. Dunbar will face Thurgood in a big rivalry game this week.


(5) C-J wins 4th in 5 games - Chaminade continues its hot play with a blowout win over Roger Bacon. The Eagles are now 4-3 on the season, their first time over .500 after starting slow.

C-J celebrates TD vs Roger Bacon as they get over .500 mark

(6) Springfield win huge road game @ Northmont
 The Wildcats  held off a pesky Bolts team, in which Northmont scored 23 straight points but still lost 35-29.  Springfield now moves to 5-2, while Northmont falls to 3-4.

Springfield celebrates after scoring @ Northmont 

(7) Trotwood rolls again for 6th straight - 
The Rams won their 6th straight game as they ran past Fairborn 49-6. The Rams have won their 6th straight and are definitely hitting a playoff stride as we get close to the playoffs. Star RB Raveion Hargrove and that vaunted Rams D led the way.


(8) Thurgood  shuts out Hughes -
 Thurgood went to Cincy and garnered their 3rd win of the season as they blanked Cincy Hughes 40-0.  The win puts Thurgood at 2-1 in the SWOPL. They have a huge match-up this week vs Dunbar. The Cougars have won 3 of their last 5 games and have played well recently.

Dunbar defeats Beavercreek

In Wednesday non-conference action, Dunbar defeated Beavercreek at home 57-45.

    After a tight 1st half which ended 20-20, Dunbar powered out to a 19-4 3rd quarter to help seal the deal.
 Stormy Cook led the Wolverines with 16 as he hit 2 3-ptrs; Terrance Landers added 10.

Wayne clobbers Centerville, Hargrove runs wild; City League teams dominate

Wayne Train dismantles Elks, prep for playoffs
    Wayne did what they did every week, all season to Centerville on Friday night.
And, unfortunately for the Elks, it was over from the jump.

Can anyone stop this Train? (Courtesy of ImageJock)

   Daryl McCleskey scored 3 TDS to lead the Warriors to a 56-17 drubbing of Centerville to  become the third team to go undefeated in Wayne history, winning the GWOC Central, and receiving a  first-round home game in D-1 region 2.

   For the Elks (6-4)? Their luck just ran out. They have had more escapes than Harry Houdini this season, but there was no escaping the Train.

Wayne ends up ranked 2nd in the state and 11th in the country. For now.
This team is as loaded as a High school team that you can possibly have. Almost looks like a mid-major college team. Right now.

Up next for Wayne:
1st round playoff home game  vs Reynoldsburg


Rams Hargrove goes beserk, sends statement
   After a fast start to the season,  Trotwood hit a rough patch late in the season, losing 3 of 4 games. While their playoff hopes never wavered, the question is, can they do damage in the playoffs, or will it be a one and done season?

After a record breaking day by sophomore sensation Raveion Hargtove, it's safe to say the Ram a look ready for the playoffs.

Ram Nation ready for playoffs

 Trotwood took care of Vandalia Butler 57 - 35 as  the office racked up 600 yards. Hargrove had runs of 98 and 80 yards in the first half. He racked up 341 yards In the first half alone.
    Rams Coach Jeff Graham called Hargrove " A Special Player" & feels good putting the ball in his star RB hands.
   Hargrove ended up just 65 yards short of 2K (1,935), and led the GWOC in rushing.

  Butler, who also was 7-3 & won the division for the first time since 02',  also made the playoffs and will play Lasalle.  QB Chandler Craine threw 4 TD passes, but it wasn't enough.

Trotwood will host a playoff game, while Butler will travel.

 Dunbar stymies Belmont in City League battle
 despite not being able to make the playoffs, Dunbar came out with playoff intensity and took it to Belmont defeating the Bison. After a 12-6 lead midway in the 3rd, Dunbar scored on its next three possesions, with the help of two turnovers from Belmont helping the run.
   Dunbar was led by dynamic WR- Slot -RB Keyshawn Jones, who felt confident his squad could get the W. Dunbar ends season at 5-5 while Belmont falls to 7-2.

Belmont still was able to get into playoffs, as they will travel to Wapakoneta to face the #1 squad in their division.

 Miamisburg cruises past West Carrollton, earns playoff berth
 Miamisburg took care of West Carrollton 48 - 6 and will be headed to the playoffs for the first time in a long time. the Vikings one the GWOC South title in the process.

The Creek'  runs all over Fairmont to get to 7-3
 The Creek's rushing attack had 3 guys with 100 yards each with with Tim BradShaw (162), Jarrett Thomas (122), & Stone Kincer (118). Beavercreek ends season with a 7-3 record and hope for next season.


Ponitz, Meadowdale, Thurgood all win
All the city league squads, save for Belmont, won this week.
   Ponitz defeated College Prep 18 - 8, as they displayed great effort on D.  On top of that the Panthers won their last three games, to give the coaches hope that next year could be a bigger turnaround. Ponitz finishes at 4-6.

    Thurgood defeats Schroeder,  gets to .500
After a slow start to the season, Thurgood won 4 of its last 6 games to get to 5-5 after a big win over Schroeder. Thurgood was led by two way star  Tommie Richardson.

Meadowdale trounces Western Hills.
  Meadowdale put up 51 on Western Hills as they cruised to a 51-23 win on Saturday night.
The offense was hitting on all cylinders and Meadowdale finishes season 4-6 after a couple games were forfeited for a couple players being academically ineligible.

Week 9 Recap: Wayne, Trotwood cruise; Miamisburg wins late; Thurgood wins city battle

Here are the headlines from week 9 around the Miami Valley:

Thurgood escapes for a Huge Play

Wayne cruises to W  
Wayne started fast, star WR L'Christian "Blu" Smith scored 3 TDS on 3 catches and the Warriors shut down Beavercreek. Future Michigan St QB Messiah DeWeaver had 4TDs in limited time.
 Can the Creek win next week and slide into a playoff spot? Remains to be seen.
As far as Wayne?
TOP 25 in the COUNTRY.



Thurgood D clinches win over Meadowdale 
Meadowdale scored the first 13 points & held a 13-8 lead into half, but Thurgood scored late in the 3rd and Intercepted 3 Lions passes in the 4th to seal the deal in the City League battle.


 Miamisburg wins its final game at home come back style
Miamisburg jumped out to a big lead, but

The Burg' racing to end zone in last game at Harmon Field  

Springboro came roaring back. The Vikings scored with less than a minute remaining to win the final game 35-32. The thriller was the last game played in Miamisburg legendary Harmon Field. The Boro' falls to 7--2, while Miamisburg wins their division, ups their record to 8-1 & solidifies a playoff spot.


 Trotwood comes back strong verses Green Greenville
Trotwood came back with a resounding win In Greenville as the D stepped up and the O came to life. The Rams now move to 6-3  &, with a win next week, should be in the playoffs.


 Dunbar falls in a shootout 
The Wolverines lost 43-40 in a shootout to Cincinnati Taft. The Wolverines had a chance late in the game, but couldn't get it done.
The Wolverines fall to 4-5.


  Centerville defeats  Springfield to keep its playoff hopes alive
The Elks continue to walk a tightrope as they defeated the Wildcats 35-32 Friday night. After starting 2-3 the Elks have won 4 straight and with a win next week, could sneak into the playoffs.  Despite a great game from Star Danny Davis, the Wildcats couldn't survive the epic battle.


Prediction Record this week: 3-3 

Top 5 Games of Week 8

Here's our top games for week 8 as teams make their playoff runs and key rivalries heat up.

Will the Wolverines be ready for the Cougars?

(1) Dunbar  vs Thurgood  @ Welcome Stadium (7pm)
     Last years City League championship game features two of the best in the city, as a revamped Thurgood squad who was reigning City League Champs 6 years straight, will look to keep the dynamic Wolverines from putting up big numbers.
Dunbar has been inconsistent in key moments, but has looked unstoppable in others. After losing City League player of the year Jamahl Manley, the Cougars have started to rebound.
We have the Wolverines winning a wild one 34-28.



(2) Beavercreek (6-1)   @ Centerville (5-2) (7pm)
   In the GWOC game of the Week, both teams desperately need this game. The Creek', led by 1,000 yard rusher Tim Beadshaw, will be ready, but so will Centerville, who has won 4 straight and could be the hottest team in the area.
We have Centerville winning a close one 28-24


(3) Northmont  (4-3)  @  Wayne (7-0) (7pm)
   Can Northmont, led by star player Avery Miliner, pull off the upset of the season? Nationally ranked Wayne has throttled every team it has seen this season, sans one.
The WayneTrain will continue its steamrolling 41-21.


(4) Piqua  (2-5)  @ Trotwood (5-2) (7pm)
After a shocking loss to Troy at home last week, can the Rams bounce back and get a much needed W this week to stay in drivers seat for playoffs? Piqua has had some great moments and key wins this season.
The Rams will get it done by a score of 30-16.


(5) Dayton Christian  @ Lockland 
Can the Crusaders go on the road to get a huge Weight and keep their playoff hopes alive? Been a good season so far, but Lockland will be ready.
We're riding the Crusaders in a close one, 26-18

Week 7 Recap: Belmont wins sixth straight, Wayne steamrolls, Troy upsets Trotwood

As we hit the final stretch of HS football, we take a look at the Headlines and results from week 7:

 Belmont shuts out Cincy Prep, wins first City Title in over 35 years 

Bison win first City League title in over 35 years 

After all the years of being the doormat of the City League, the losing times are over.
  Belmont pounded Cincy Prep 38-0 and in the process became the first League Champ of the Cincy - Dayton Public HS Football League merger, and first in 37 years.
Sr. Star 2-way player Davion Lankford ran wild on Prep and the Bison cruised to a huge W in Cincy.


Troy pulls off upset, defeats Trotwood late
The Trojans were able to hold on late to shock the Rams 21-20 in Trotwood.

Trotwood Swarming D

The Rams were coming off a beatdown of Sidney, but Troy was much more game, as the score showed. Trotwood had their chances, but couldn't captialize.
Now Trotwood is 5-2 & makes that playoff berth a lot more challenging. Troy moves to 3-4.


 The Creek' survives the Wildcats, wins late
Beavercreek was able to hold on to a huge win in a epic battle, an albeit sloppy one til late as they defeated Springfield 31-28.
Tim Bradshaw ran for a tough 92 yards, (giving him 1,000 on the season) and 2 big TDs, as the Creek moved to 6-1.
Springfield falls to 2-5.


Meadowdale wins 3rd straight,  defeats Ponitz
The Lions won their 3rd straight game as they took out Ponitz 25-6. The Lions were led by Kevan Hughley and looked solid in the offensive game, while shutting down Ponitz offense.


WayneTrain throttles Fairmont 
While it wasn't another shutout, it was close to being one as Wayne (7-0) jumped out early and won easily. The #2 ranked team in the state continues to roll.


Dunbar shuts down Western Hills
The Wolverines took out some frustrations on the Cincy squad as they routed Western Hills. Dunbar moves to 3-4.

Week 6 recap: Wayne Train rolls, Lions beat Dunbar, Trotwood cruise.

Here's a recap of the key games in Week 6 that went down on Friday:

Wayne shuts out Springfield in rivalry game -
In what most thought would be a battle, turned out to be all Wayne on a rainy night as Matt Wilcox scored on a long TD pass, and RB-WR Daryl McClesky Jr. scored twice in the second half to help Wayne move to 6-0. Maybe the warriors were fired up. But it's been the Wayne Train on a one way ticket to the state.


Meadowdale squeezes past Dunbar -
With both teams trying to make a push for the playoffs, The Lions came out on top as they held the Wolverines late in the game for a big 15-12 win. The Lions move to 3-3, while Dunbar falls to 2-4.


The 'Creek defeats Northmont, moves closer to playoffs -
Although it wasn't pretty, Beavercreek held on for a key win, as Tim Bradshaw scored late to seal the deal. The Beavers (5-1) seems in position for a playoff berth.



Rams roll past Sidney -
Trotwood scored early and often and led comfortably by halftime. Sidney had no match for the vaunted Rams running game. And now standing at 5-1, it looks like the Rams are prepping for another postseason run.


Taft defeats Thurgood -
Cin Taft came in with a game plan and executed it almost to perfection in downing Thurgood 49-7.
Thurgood (2-4) was looking to gain steam for a late push, but had trouble moving the ball throughout the game.

Top 5 Games in week 4

Here's our top 5 games to check out in week 4:

(1) Miamisburg (3-0) @  Springfield (3-0) 
Led by Danny Davis and coach Maurice Douglass, the resurrection is nearing the level most thought the Wildcats could get to. Miamisburg is enjoying it's best early season in almost a decade. Which team shows its the top team on the rise?

(2) Trotwood (3-0)  @ Centerville (1-2) 
 Trotwood has bounced back after the departure of Messiah DeWeaver and now sit at 3-0,while Centerville and coach Rodney Roberts are in a early season "Must Win" situation. The Elks got a huge win last week, but this game will make or break the Elks season.

(3) Troy (1-2)  @  Wayne (3-0) 
  The Warriors are #1 in the state and in the top 20 in the country. Troy just took a lump to Miamisburg. Can they handle the premiere team in Ohio?
Could be too tall a task for the Trojans.

(4) Alter (3-0)  @  Middletown Fenwick (3-0) 

In a possible playoff match-up,  Alter will travel to take on Fenwick. The Knights are ranked 7 in the state. Can they win a tough road game vs a playoff caliber squad? Fenwick has allowed 8 points all season.

(5) Beavercreek (3-0)   @ Springboro (2-1)

The Creek' , which has been led by its running game and a stout D, will take on a Boro' squad who's ranked higher than the Beavers in the DDN Weekly Poll. Can RB sensation Tim Bradshaw continue his torrid pace and shock the Boro?


Like our page at
Facebook: Dayton High School Sports

Top 5 games of Week 2 in the Miami Valley on Labor Day weekend

Now that high school football has kicked off, lets take a look at the DHSS Top 5 key games in Southwest Ohio on this Labor Day weekend:




(5) Thurgood @ Trotwood (Fri 7pm)


Thurgood (0-1), last years City League champs, despite losing last week, still has a plethora of good players on the team, but will be tested severely tested tonight facing a young but hungry Rams team itself. Trotwood won a last week, and with another win, could ease the pressure off the young QB who replaced Michigan St bound Messiah DeWeaver (who is back at Wayne)






(4) Beavercreek @ Carroll (7pm)


The Creek ran to a huge W last week behind star RB Bradshaws 3TDs and huge running stats. Carroll defeated Meadowale. Both teams look to go 2-0 early In the season.






(3) Cin Withrow @ Alter (Fri 7pm)


After Withrow (1-0) handled Dunbar last week, they will take on the State runner ups this week. Alter (1-0) will look to continue on a great W over a hyped Fairmont team. Withrow has a couple game breaker type players, but can they stand up to the Knights well balanced squad?




(2) Dunbar vs Ponitz (Fri 7pm)


In a early season game with possible Title and playoff implications, Dunbar (0-1) will look to get on track tonight after numerous missed opportunities in the last game vs Withow. Ponitz, (1-0) spearheaded by former C-J coach Jim Place and a great staff, were the only team in Dayton City League to get a W, (defeated Cin Clark).
Dunbar looked as the early season favorite for a league title, but if the Panthers can pull off the upset tonight?
Watch out for Ponitz.


(1) Wayne @ Cin Moeller (Sun 4pm)


In a game that will be featured on ESPN3, the bragging rights for Southwest Ohio is on the line. Wayne was a quarter away from a state title last season, and defeated Moeller in the state semifinals 29-22 last season. The #WayneTrain blanked one of the top teams in Canada in its opening game and looks as focused as ever.
Moeller is a championship contender as well, and has won many games in this type of atmosphere. With a tough D, rock solid Offense and a All-American candidate at TE. Not to mention the fact that the Warriors ended their dreams last year.
The Moeller crowd will be insane today in Cincy.
However, when you watch the WayneTrain, you almost are looking at a mid major D-1 college team in which their three top offensive players (Messiah DeWeaver, Matthew Wilcox Jr and ChristianLBlu Smith) will be playing on your TV screens on Saturdays for a major program very soon.
And possibly Sundays as well.
I look for a WayneTrain showcase and a convincing W on Sunday.


Just in case those NFL coaches and scouts want to see the future.




Follow the DaytonHighSchoolSports journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.