Week 3 Recap: Wayne wins late; Alter Rolls; Springfield, Northmont undefeated; Stebbins Knocks off MVL Champs; Stars of Week 3

 Here's the Top Headlines and Weekly Recap  for Week 3 in the football landscape in the Miami Valley:

Dunbar, Belmont open City League Action Tonight; Trotwood Set for Saturday

The Belmont Bison will open up their 5-year City League championship run tonight against their nemesis, the Dunbar Wolverines, at Welcome Stadium tonight. The teams, who found out they could play 2 weeks ago, will square off at 7pmET. 

Belmont, who are led by Coach Earl White, have a trio of seniors who will try to lead the way in Tavon Hardwick, Joddi Burton, and Kiko Garcia. Dunbar, who has a loaded team, will lean on the likes of Jamar Payton and Gregory Packnett Jr as new head coach James Lacking takes over the helm. 

While Dunbar knows they have the talent across the board to win, can they match wits with one of the the top coach coaches in DPS history? 

Trotwood will take on Ponitz on Saturday afternoon as they prepare to defend their 3rd championship they won last season. The Rams chances at playing were also reversed a couple weeks ago, when the Trotwood Board voted to bring high school sports back, starting in the fall. 

Big Plays, defense help Undefeated Springfield past Fairmont 

After a Fairmont TD to tie the game at 7, Springfield would go on a 20-0 run to take control of the game and defeat Fairmont 27-21. While Fairmont dominated the ball, Springfield made all the plays to seize the momentum early. Tae'Sean Smoot, the All-State Candidate, threw for a TD and ran for another TD as the Cats move to 3-0 in the season.

 

Wayne stops Elks despite Harrisons big Game

After watching Chase Harrison put on a exhibition for almost 3 quarters, Wayne QB Cam Fancher had seen enough. Centerville had pulled out to a 23-14 lead late in the 3rd, and it was looking as if the Elks would push towards a victory.  Harrison, a junior D-1 prospect, had thrown his 3rd TD, and seemed to be in complete control. 

Fancher, the Georgia State commit who was having a average game at best until then, showed why he's one of the best QBs in Ohio as he directed the Warriors on two huge game salvaging drives, and the Warriors rallied to defeat Centerville 28-23. 

Fancher showed his clutch gene and why Wayne has a chance to go deep in the playoffs, by completing a 35-yard pass to Bryan Kinley with 15 seconds left. With the win Wayne moves to 2-1 while Centerville drops to 1-2. 

Stebbins Outlasts Xenia to start 3-0 

Last year Stebbins got blown out against the Miami Valley League champions. This season, they took the reeling champs best shot, as Xenia jumped out to a 16-3 lead. But Player of the Year Candidate and Indians QB Nate Keller lead the troops back as he threw 2 TD passes to WR Dalton King, and rising RB Marvelous Rutledge finished off the Bucs with a late TD to give Stebbins a big win 26-23. Stebbins moves to 3-0 for the first time in decades.  Meanwhile, Xenia drops to 0-3. 

Rice, Allen lead Bolts to a easy win over Beavers

Caden Rice and  Markus Allen and the Northmont team was too much for Beavercreek to handle, as the Bolts improve to 3-0 after a big win. The former Michigan commit, WR Markus Allen, went 4 for 95 with a TD while Rice threw 3 TDs in the 42-8 rout. 

Alter comes out strong to get 1st W on season 

Alter smacked Middletown Fenwick to get their first win on the season as the Knights now move to 1-2 on the early season. Which Alter team will we see in the next 3 games?

Bellbrook topples Valley View in SWBL Game of the Week

Bellbrook was able to use a Seth Borondy TD run in OT to stop the Spartans by a score of 28-21 as two of the best in the SWBL squared off. After Valley View tied it on a Ben Owens run to force OT. Bellbrook moves to 3-0 while Valley View falls to 2-1.

C-J falls again

The Eagles lost to Hamilton Badin as Chaminade falls to 1-2 on the season after what looked like a good start. They had no rhythm against a strong Badin defense, and now will look to get on track in 2nd portion of the season.

Top Players in Week 3:  

Cade Rice, QB  Northmont - Rice 3 TD's too much for Beavers

Tae'Sean Smoot, QB Springfield -Smoot has been in complete control

Chase Harrison, QB Centerville -Harrison was as sharp as he as ever been; 24-41, 3 TD's

C.J. Hicks, LB  Alter - Hicks INT for a TD and his running propelled Knights.

Cam Fancher, QB  Wayne- Fancher showed heart by leading 2 TD drives late to beat Cville

Jasiah Medley, RB Piqua- Medley was unstoppable as he racked up 161 yards, 3 TDs

Jeremy Holloway, DB-WR Stebbins - Holloway's INT, 4 catches huge for Indians

Alex Petry - DL  Bellbrook - Petry forced fumble and TD run keyed big win

Brian Shane - QB Alter  -Shane threw for 2 TD's and ran for another in leading Alter

Nate Keller, QB Stebbins - Keller was a force, as he threw for 2 TDs in another key win

Nick Kaweki, RB, Troy - Kaweki 200+ rushing performance led Trojans to a big win. 

Week 3 Key Games; Athlete of the Week; New Partnership with Varsity House; DPS, Trotwood Readies for Comeback

 

Here are the Top Games for Week 3; 

Wayne at Centerville 

In a game featuring another elite QB  battle in Cam Fancher (Wayne) and Chase Harrison (Centerville), which team will stand up and move to 2-1 on the season? Both teams have shown the ability to march up the field by run or by air. The bigger question remains; which defense will step up when needed most? 

Fairmont at Springfield 

Can the Firebirds knock off the Top team in DHSS Rankings? The Cats have won 2 close games against 2 tough opponents. Can Fairmont use its running game to stop a well rounded and very focused Springfield team who is led by All-State caliber QB Tae'Sean Smoot? 

Fenwick at Alter  

The Knights are in desperation mode, as they will face a solid Fenwick team tonight at home. While they were touted as a team to watch early, they haven't started 0-2 in a while. While every team will make the playoffs, could we actually see a 0-3 team with the elite players the Knights have? 

Stebbins at Xenia 

In a role reversal of sorts, Stebbins is sitting at 2-0 while Xenia, the Miami Valley champs, is 0-2 and fading fast after claiming the title last year. Can the Bucs stop the losing skid against a physically tough and talented Stebbins team? 

Northmont at Beavercreek  

The Bolts will look to stay undefeated in a game that they could roll up some major offensive numbers against a weak defense in the Beavers. 

Valley View at Bellbrook 

In a game that features a upstart team in Bellbrook against another who has dominated over the years in Valley View. Which team will get a leg up on the SWBL Championship?

VARSITY HOUSE set to Sponsor Athlete of the Week for School Year

The Varsity House, a clothing store located in the heart of downtown Dayton, will be leading the Athlete of The Week this season, as they are partnering up with Dayton HS Sports during the 2020-21 School Season.  

They will provide the Athlete of the Week Episodes and will also host Dayton HS Sports TV Shows at their downtown location, which will be launching soon. 

Stay tuned for more details as they move closer to the opening. 

DPS, Trotwood near Games

Dayton Public Schools and Trotwood will lace it up next week, and it will be a good sight to see. While it won't be without risk, it will be nice to watch the young stars of Trotwood and Dayton Public Schools teams get back on the field. DPS will get back in action with Belmont and Dunbar squaring off next Thursday night.

Miamisburg, West Carollton, Fairborn sit due to Covid-19 Case

Springboro, West Carollton, and Fairborn all have encountered a case of Covid-19, and now will have to sit down for 2 weeks. Springboro had a junior varsity player, while West Carrollton and Fairborn both had 1 player who contracted the virus in the program. Due to rules, the entire program must sit out for 2 weeks, then after testing negative be allowed to play. 

Week 2 Key Games; Trotwood To Resume Fall Sports; Low Covid-19 Cases

 With Week 1 of HS Football in the books, we are now looking at Week 2 as we check out the 

Top Games in Week 2: 

(1) Springfield  @ Centerville (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 5 of 5)

          
    

In the DHSS Game of The Week, which highly touted Junior QB will lead his team to a 2-0 record? Chase Harrison (Centerville)  or Tae'Sean Smoot (Springfield)? Both QBs are headed to big time D-1 schools, but the key will be the defense, as Springfield looks top notch early in the season. How will Elks D respond tonight to one of the best QBs in Ohio?

 

(2) Miamisburg @ Wayne  (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 4.5 of 5) 

Can the Wayne Train get on track against a charged up Vikings team? Miamisburg handled business against Beavercreek but can they stop a angry Wayne squad?  The Warriors missed on a couple of opportunities that cost them a chance last week. 

Look for a offensive breakout from the Warriors in Huber Heights.

(3) Sidney @ Stebbins    (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 4.0 of 5) 

Sidney blasted Greenville in the first game, but they will be taking on a tough Stebbins team who pulled off a big comeback, led by Senior RB Marvaleous Rutledge 2 TSs and 100+ yards rushing. 

But it was the defense that stepped up for the Indians holding Pirates scoreless late and hitting hard throughout the game. 

How good is Sidney? 

(4) West Carrollton @ Fairborn (🏈👀🔥 Meter: 4 of 5)

          Will Defense Player of Year Candidate Cole Mccandless be back for Fairborn game? 

In a game that will be a fun one to watch, which West Carrollton team will be in Fairborn tonight? The 1st half  team that dominated behind the likes of Kamury Cleveland? Or the 2nd half one that gave up the lead? Fairborn will look to ground and pound its way to a 2-0 season, led by a two-headed running game that was efficient enough to knock off the Miami Valley League champions in Xenia. 

(5) Carroll @ C-J   (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 4 of 5) 

In a GCL rivalry, that usually hits hard, can C-J move to 2-0 against a Patriots team that gives the Eagles a hard time? Are the Eagles the real deal? 

(6) Badin @Alter  (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 4.5 of 5) 

The Knights make their debut at home this week, after losing a shootout at Clinton-Massie; How good is this Alter team? We will find out more tonight. Look for big numbers from the running game tonight against a Badin team that was good last season.  

(7) Franklin @ Bellbrook (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 3.5 of 5) 

Can Franklin travel to Eagle country and go 2-0? Bellbrook came out with fire in their eyes last week. Can they keep it up against one of the favorites in the SWBL in the Wildcats? 

(8) Fairmont @ Northmont (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 4 of 5)

While we don't want to ride the hype train, but make a note:  Northmont went from a Organization that was the average last year, and in pure dissaray to a team who could possibly win a GWOC title? They added a top transfer QB to with elite baller and Michigan commit Marcus Allen and now what? Look for a focused Fairmont team tonight after letting one slip away last week. Should be a close one.  

(9) Valley View @ Monroe  (🏈🔥👀 Meter: 4 of 5)   

The Spartans picked up where they left off last season- pummeling teams in the SWBL - as they won easily last week. Can Monroe stand up to the challenge? 

The Spartans are favorites to win the SWBL, even in the shortened season. 

Ram Nation Back in Fall Sports; Good or Bad Move? 

After a Meeting Held in Trotwood by the Trotwood Board and some Officials, it has been reported that the Rams will try to start their fall season. After initially being one of the first Disticts to shut down due to the Covid-19 crisis,  it initially was applauded and it was seem that the Rams and the rest of high school sports would wait until 2021.

However things have changed in the last 2 months, and the energy that was against sports during this time, has shifted towards sports coming back into the normal phase. This is still  a problem as Covid-19 has risen with colleges and schools letting kids back into classrooms.  But make no mistake: Sports is a welcome necessity for most.

With the Lumpkin brothers speaking on some issues earlier in the week, the Rams were one of the last schools to allow sports to come back. The good thing is that the Rams made it back in time to be able to compete in the OHSAA Tournament. 

"These kids deserve a chance to compete for a chance to better their future," John Lumpkin stated. All of our younger kids are playing at C-J and other programs due to us being shut down. Do you think they are not trying to get those kids to stay?" 

Trotwood will resume practices this upcoming week. 

Low Cases Provide Hope During Covid-19 Season 

The biggest key for sports to continue is for a low percentages on the weekly cases of  the Covid-19  outbreak among teams. While there haven't been hardly any reported cases, this next week or two will tell the story of if the season is to continue. If there aren't many cases in the nexr week or two, that could be enough to propel the different districts to realizing that there can be organized sports during this pandemic. 

While last week people were on pins and needles, it was also a sense of normalcy. 

How will it feel tonight in Week 2 All over the Miami Valley?