Week 2 Playoff Recap: Trotwood, Springfield roll; Alter falls; Valley View wins squeaker

After 10+ teams in the first round, the action was all over the Miami Valley.
However, in the 2nd round?
Not so much, as only 4 teams were still left standing in the Dayton area as we enter the Regionals.

Trotwood
Springfield
Alter
Valley View

Here's the Headlines for Each Game:

Tolliver leads Springfield to 1st ever Regional Final

Jeff Tolliver, the dynamic running back and kick returner, has been a spark plug whenever the Cats' have needed some juice.
And never was that more evident than in the Regional Semifinal as Tolliver would run all over Dublin Jerome 37-14 en route to Springfields' first ever Regional Championship.

Tolliver would run for 144 yards and 2 TD's as the Wildcats ran for over 250 yards total against a tough Jerome defense.
Tolliver would score first again for Springfield, on a 28-yard burst to get Cats on the board first. Tae'Sean Smoot, the Super Sophomore, slid past the defenders on a 8-yard TD run to give Springfield a 13-0 lead into half.

After a quick strike for Dublin Jerome to close the gap to 13-7, Springfield would respond with 3 straight TD scores to turn a close game into a rout (34-7).
While Larry Stephens was held to only 1 catch, the Wildcats took advantage of the power running game that Coach Maurice Douglass has implemented. Especially Tolliver.

"We're making history every day" Head Coach Maurice Douglass stated.

Springfield will take on Dublin Coffman at London HS on Friday night.




Huguely, Blanton lead Rams back to 10th Regional Final in 11 years

Keon'tae Huguely, Cooper Stewart celebrate 

Trotwood used its balance attack and a stifling defense to propel themselves into another Regional Final, by smacking down St Marys Memorial 41-7 at Sidney High School.
The Rams would open the scoring with a Ke'Shawn Huguely run, one of 3 TD's  on the day for the star Running back, to go with his 130 yards on the ground.
In the 2nd quarter St Marys defense would tighten up, stalling the Rams on the final series in the 1st half on a huge goal line stand, keeping them in the game and slightly frustrating the Rams entering half (7-0 Trotwood).

With St Marys elusive running game being ineffective for the most part, Trotwood would regain possession and in the 3rd quarter, was able to strike deep with a 49-yard TD to Star Wide receiver Carl Blanton from Cooper Stewart.
With the TD it would give the Rams a advantage heading into the final stages that would never be threatened. St. Marys Memorial could not pass the ball, and when they did, Keon'tae Huguely would intercept the pass attempt, foiling St Marys biggest threat in the 2nd half, and for all intenses and purposes, ending the game.

The win puts Trotwood in their 11 consecutive Regional Finals, a OHSAA record. They have won 10 of their last 11 Regional Semifinal games as well. The Rams will face Hamilton Badin, who knocked off Alter last week. The Game will be at Miamisburg HS.



Alter falls to Badin again
The Alter Knights roller coaster of a season is now over, as they lost to Hamilton Badin 38-21. In a game Badin controlled for the most part, the Knights got the game to 17-14 before Badin would pull away in 2nd half.
Alter ends season at 7-5.


Valley View knocks off Roger Bacon
Valley View will move to Regional Final after a big win over Roger Bacon 28-27. With the win the Spartans will reach another Regional Final.


College Report:
Toppin Shows Leadership, dominates as Flyers stay undefeated 

Obi Toppin could be in the NBA right now, but he decided to come back to play for Dayton after having a good Freshman year.
But its starting to look like that coming back was a great move, as the NBA Prospect has dominated in first couple of games this season.
Toppin, who stands at 6'11, looks like a man among boys. He had 13 and 8 in the 1st half of the Charleston Southern blowout win. He had 29 and 13 in the Season opener. And his dunks?
Gamechangers.
All the signs of Toppin (1) possibly taking the Flyers to the NCAA's in March and (2)Toppin declaring for the draft and being a 1st round pick.
In the meantime? The Flyers will look to keep their undefeated season rolling.

Week 1 Playoff Football; Alter stops C-J again; Springfield, Trotwood advance;

Usually the football craze is a All-Time high, especially during the 1st week of the OHSAA playoffs;
And this season it didn't dissapoint, as more than 10 teams entered the first round of the playoffs:

Here's the Top HEADLINES, RESULTS OF
Week 1 of OHSAA Footaball Playoffs:

Alter Ends Chaminade's dream season with late FG
The Alter Knights, who, at 4-4, saw their season slipping away after a rough mid-season stretch; as they headed into Week 9 questions were abound:
Were the Knights overrated? Is a new coaching staff needed?  The end of a run possibly?

However, with a key road win and the final Regular season victory over C-J, the Knights would sneak into the playoffs and quiet all the critics.

And their reward? A rematch at Chaminade, no less.
In a defensive battle that had all the makings of a ESPN classic playoff game, Alter would kick a late FG to win a grueling 10-7 win at C-J High School.
Alter would and C-J would score first 2nd quarter on a Marquis Henry TD, in which Alter Kale Steneman would throw a TD in the 3rd to setup the dramatic ending.
After great defense by both teams, Alter was able to move into position late in the 4th quarter on a electric 27-yard run by Steneman run to set up the game- winning kick.
C-J had the ball on the 3 yard line but a late INT sealed the deal on a rollout pass, shocking the Eagles nation and send the Knights into a rage of happiness.

C-J was the top seed in the Region and in the Top 10 of the OHSAA State Rankings all season.

Alter, amidst all the talk of a new regime and other possibilities,  rose up from the depths of the dead and now will move on to Regional Semis.
C-J ends season at 9-3.
Player of the Game: 
Kale Steneman, QB, Alter 


Trotwood rolls over Wapakoneta in "Getback" Game as Anderson takes Over
Trotwood was able to revisit a place that cost them their chance for back to back Championships.
Not to mention there was some racial tension the last couple times the Rams have made their way to Wapakoneta,  with detailed accounts of the disrespect from the Wapak fans.

Trotwood would make sure there would be no dissapointment this season, as the Rams smacked Wapak 33-21 to move into Regional Semifinals for the 4th time in 5 seasons.

The game was tied at half (7-7) when All-State WR-DB Sammie Anderson took over.
Anderson sliced and diced Wapak with a Punt Return for a TD which gave the Rams a lead they'd never relinquish (14-7).
Then after a Rams defensive TD by Ravae Garrett, Anderson would score on a 39-yard TD from Cooper Stewart, and the game was essentially over late in the 3rd quarter (27-7).

The vaunted Rams defense shut down Wapak for most of the game, led by Ke'Shawn Huguely (10 tackles, sack) in which the unit forced 3 sacks and a defensive TD.
Player of the Game: 
Sammie Anderson, Trotwood


Springfield shuts out Marysville as Tolliver, Stephens, Defense dominate 
The Cats welcomed a tough and upset minded Marysville team, who has made a name in the OHSAA playoffs;
This year?
It's all about the Cats as they shut out Marysville 23-0 en route to a big win at home in Week 1 of the playoffs.

In a packed house, the Cats would strike early as Jeff Tolliver, one of the most explosive players in Ohio,  would run the opening kickoff 80 yards, setting the tone for the Cats, getting them a lead (7-0) they would never lose.

Tae'Sean Smoot, the dynamic Sophomore QB, would direct the Springfield offense to 2 TD drives, both caught by All-State WR Larry Stephens Jr. as Marysville would focus on not letting the powerful running game defeat them.

In the 2nd half?
 The defense would turn out the lights on Marysville, holding the shutout in tact and exciting Former NFL DB and Current Head Coach Maurice Douglass.
DL Jokell Brown was rock solid and led the squad with 11 tackles and a sack. Te'Vion Gilbreth was the game-changer on defense on this night.
Gilbreth, a senior, a stout DE with speed, caused 2 fumbles on the night to go with 7 tackles, and was a problem for Marysville all night long.

Douglass has instilled focus in this team, and they have bought in, so much so, that the Wildcats seem like they are on a mission to get to State.
Player of the Game:
Jeff Tolliver, RB 
Te'Vion Gilbreth, DL 


Miami Valley League champs fall to Walnut Ridge
Xenia, who were the outright Champs in the MVL, lost their first ever OHSAA playoff Home Opener  28-7.
Chris Jones, a top DB in the Miami Valley League, would get a 60-yard Interception Return for a TD, and the Bucs fans were riled up.
But Columbus Walnut Ridge QB Howard Thronton would shake off the INT to run for 2 TDs and pass for another to lead Walnut Ridge to a road win.
Marshon Mankins had 16 tackles and recovered a big fumble to stand out for Walnut Ridge defensively.
Walnut Ridge would run off 28 straight before the game is over.
Ryan Foulbert (14), DE Devin Hall (14), and Isaiah Goodrum (10) led the D in tackles.
Player of the Game:
Howard Thornton, QB, Walnut Ridge


Springboro falls in 5 OTs 
Springboro fought to the bitter end, but came up short in a 5 OT loss at home to Dublin Jerome  38-31.
In a game that Springboro dominated for the most part, the Panthers missed opportunities that costed them a trip to the Regional Semifinals.

After Willieon Yates scored on a 20-yard catch, his 2nd of the game from Landon Palmer, Jerome would score in the 5th OT to secure the deal on a Adam Booth TD, his 3rd of the game.

Despite averaging less than 2.5 yards per rush, and throwing for less than 60 yards total, Jerome was able to grind out a win.
Jake Kowalski and Nathan Swartz led the Panthers defensively while the offense ran for over 200 yards at a 5 ypg clip.
Springboro ends season at 9-2
Player of the Game: 
Willieon Yates, RB-WR, Springboro 
Adam Booth, RB, Jerome 

Northmont Season ends at home as Whitmer Rallies
The Bolts would sqeak in the playoffs, only to be knocked out by Toldeo Whitmer 35-21.
Earlier in the game, Northmont would come out firing on all cylinders,  scoring twice and holding a early 14-0 lead.
Then Whitmer would gain their footing, and would score the next 35 of 42 points to seal the deal.
Star RB Jared Banks would run roughshod over the Bolts for 271 yards and 3 TDs, as Whitmer ran for over 330 yards total in the win.

Jazz Keys, one of the best names and top WRs in Southwest Ohio, went off with a Opening TD, a big kickoff return, and 2 TDs on the night.
But Whitmer shut down the Northmont running game and the Bolts were forced to pass all night long, forcing 2 INTs and keeping the Bolts offense off balance all night.

Phillip Quansah  (15 tackles, 2 sacks) was unstoppable as was Rod Smith (13 tackles) for  Northmont defensively.
Northmont ends season at 6-5.
Player of the Game: 
Jared Banks, RB, Toledo Whitmer 
Jazz Keys, WR, Northmont 


Franklin rally comes up short
The Franklin Wildcats season was ended after a good season, as they lost in the 1st round to St Marys 14-10.  Franklin, who had won 7 straight heading into playoffs,
lost a close one as the SWBL Champs fell at home.
Franklin ends season at 9-2.


Troy eliminated by offensive explosion 
Troy finished their season losing to Lewis Center Olentangy 42-10 at home. The Trojans could not solve the offensive explosion that Lewis Center produced.
Troy ends season at 9-2.


Valley View moves on to Regionals with big win
Valley View showed why they could be a player in the OHSAA playoffs with a resounding 42-28 win in the first round. QB Caden Cradlebaugh threw 5 TD's - 3 to WR Troy Coulter - as Clinton Massie was no match for the Spartan gunslinger.


Dayton Christian falls after return to playoffs 
The DC Crusaders made their way back to the playoffs, only to fall in the first round.

Belmont powers past Dunbar to 5th Straight Title; Xenia grabs 1st Title Ever; Huge Matchups in Week 10;

Here's Thursday Night Headlines for Week 10:

Belmont wins 5th Consecutive League Title;
Dynasty in the making? 

BELMONT STAMPEDES DUNBAR, WINS CITY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
In a Game that featured the 2 best teams in the Dayton Public League, Belmont showed that, despite missing the playoffs for the first time in 3 seasons, they still are the top dogs in the City as they powered past the Dunbar Wolverines 34-16 at Welcome Stadium on Halloween Ni

On a blistery, cold night, with 40-50 mph winds blowing throughout the night, Belmont pulled out its vaunted running game, while Dunbar would struggle in the first half with the elements, whle trying to find their rhythm.

"We prayed for wind last night!" Earl White, Head Coach of Belmont said in the postgame interview.

After a early TD run by junior RB Tavon Hardwick, the Bison would strike again after stopping Dunbar on a Kiko Garcia INT.  Joddi Burton, the dynamic RB-DB, scored the 2nd TD to put the Bison up 13-0 going into halftime.
Dunbar, and sophomore QB Nate Roberts, who had been rolling the past 4 games, would struggle with the conditions and the tough Bison front line. By the time they were able to get their footing, it was 27-0.

Greg Packnett Jr, (#6 in the Dayton HS Rankings) would come into game and  follow a safety with 2 long TD runs to get the game back compeititive (27-16)  midway through the 4th quarter.

  Belmont would recover the onside kick with 4 minutes to go, and the Bison would finish off the Wolverines, with none other than a Rian Reaves TD run, as the Senior amassed over 1,000 rushing on the season (a Belmont record) to lead the Bison to their 3rd consecutive outright City League Championship and 5th straight overall (Including SWOPL affiliation).

After the game the Bison rejoiced, as they understand that, despite not making the playoffs for the first time in 4 years, they still reign supreme in the City League.

"You have to be able to win your league in order to think about being able to get to the playoffs,. We have focused on that every year, and despite playing a brutal schedule, I'm proud of our team, staff, and organization for doing this for 5 straight years!" White exclaimed.

Coach Earl White Embraces 5th Straight Championship at Belmont

LB-DB Kiko Garcia, one of he unsung heroes and top Seniors of the team this season, also spoke:
"It feels great to get another championship, especially defeating Dunbar to win the Title!"

Dunbar, who had gotten on a big winning streak to put themselves back in the title chase, was disappointed in their results, but know that the season turned positive after a tough start.

Trace Smitherman, coach of Xenia, led Bucs to 1st ever Miami Valley League Football Championship 

XENIA THROTTLES FAIRBORN, WINS MIAMI VALLEY LEAGUE
Xenia took out Fairborn easily to win its first ever outright championship ever. The Bucs, led by Trace Smitherman, has used a ground and pound type offense to a conference championship. Last season Xenia won its division in the GWOC, and now has won the Miami Valley League's first ever Championship. Can the Bucs continue the trend in the first round of the playoffs?


Here are the Top Games in Week 10:

Trotwood  @ Springfield 
Can the Rams knock off the guy who help rebuild the program in Moe Douglass?  The Wildcats are hitting on all cylinders right now. Can Trotwood avoid its 2nd consecutive loss after a 8 game winning streak?

Alter  @  C-J 
In a game with huge playoff implications, can a inconsistent Alter team knock off a C-J team who looks primed for a state run? Its simple; C-J is already in the playoffs. If Alter wins? they will be too. If not? Happy Holidays!

Ponitz   vs  Thurgood
In the City League Game of the Night, Can Ponitz get its 2nd win in a row after dumping Meadowdale last week? Or will Thurgood end the season on a positive note, with 3 wins in last 4 games?


West Carrollton  @ Stebbins 
In a game featuring 2 up and coming programs, which team will show they were the Most Improved in 2019? Stebbins is trying to win its 3rd consecutive game while West Carrollton is looking to get its 3rd win this season under new coach Dion Black.

Wayne    vs   Northmont 
In a game with huge playoff implications, can the Wayne Train stop the Bolts from the playoffs this season? Its simple for Northmont; win and they should get the playoff nod. Wayne wont be making the playoffs, so they will be playing carefree, and have seemed to find a rhythm in the 2nd half of the season.