Week 8 Recap: Springfield Rolls; Trotwood Wins 3rd Straight; Piqua Stops Tipp; MVL, GCL, GWOC, Recap

 Here's the Top Headlines and Recap of Week 8 in OHSAA Football in Southwest Ohio

Springfield Routs Centerville in Game of the Week

           Cats Homecoming King Delian Bradley 

The Centerville Elks came out with a big bang, as they jumped out on the #4 ranked Springfield Wildcats. Hearing about the shutout streak, the Elks were able to strike first, after a onside kick was recovered by Centerville, to the suprise of everyone, especially the Wildcats. The Elks would capitalize on that. 

But after that, it was all Springfield as Tae'Sean Smoot would direct 4 scoring drives in the 1st half, the last coming on a 43-yard FG as time expired at the half. The Cats would jump all over Centerville 24-7 en route to a route 41-7. Smoot was in complete control as he ran for a TD and passed for 3 more to give the Cats a nice cushion heading into halftime.

Chase Harrison, arguably the best QB in Southwest Ohio, was unable to find open recievers, as Cam Smith, the dynamic WR for Centerville, was harassed by the Cats elite secondary, led by Delian Bradley.

The running game was shut off as the vaunted front 7 of the Cats defense was downright nasty. While the streak ended at 14, a new streak was started as the Cats didn't let Centerville score for the next 3 quarters. 

With the win, it puts Springfield in 1st place and in position to win the GWOC outright with wins in next 2 games. 

Trotwood Wins 3rd Straight, Stop Dunbar

The Trotwood Rams continued to play good football as they were able to stop Dunbar 26-7 in a non-conference game at Welcome Stadium on Friday night. Both teams had came into the season starting slow, but both teams were riding a 2-game winning streak, which made the game "Must see TV."

Trotwood would ride the running game and the hot hand of sophomore QB Tim Stephens to move to 3-4 on the season. With 2 more games to go, can the Rams turn their whole season around and get to a playoff berth? With the loss, Dunbar now falls to 4-3 on the season. 

While the defense played solid, the offense was not able to get it going for the Wolverines. Despite efforts from Player of the Year Candidate Lamar Payton, it was to no avail as Dunbar looks to regroup this week. 

If the Rams can find a way to get a couple more wins, they could find a playoff berth. 

Piqua Wins 8th Straight Game, Blows By Tipp to Sit Alone In MVL 

The Piqua Indians are known to be a running team, a ground and pound type. 

But this season it has been different, as the passing game has been just as prevalent. After a fast start, and a long delay, the Indians now sit at 8-0 after a 42-23 win over Tippecanoe for the battle of  1st place in the Miami Valley League. The Indians rode the big play ability of its star junior QB and another WR exploded onto the scene as Piqua continued its dominant play, and stays in the OHSAA State rankings as well. 

The Indians are one of the top teams in the Region, and have looked every bit the part, with explosive athletes all over the field. 

Badin Stops C-J in Shootout 

Badin showed whey they will be a major player come playoff time as they defeated Chaminade in a shootout. A week ago the Badin squad was able to shut down Alter to 0 points. This time they would pull out the offensive arsenal to outlast Coach Colvin and the Eagles. 

With the win Badin sits at 8-0 and ranked highly in the OHSAA state polls. For C-J, they sit at 3-3 with 2 games left.

Despite the loss the Eagles still showed they have the ability to strike on offense, and will need that to win the next 2 games. 

 

Wayne Rolls to Win Fueled by Running Game, Late D Stop

The Wayne Warriors had gotten hot lately, and they continue to ride that wave as the running game was too much for Fairmont to overcome. However, Fairmont had their opportunities to tie the game. The Firebirds would score late in the game on a Malek Hillon flea-flicker TD pass to pull it to 17-15. 

But Wayne would stop the 2-point conversion pass and the Warriors would rejoice, knowing that at 6-2 they have all but solidified a spot in the playoffs. 

Meanwhile Fairmont sits at 5-3 and needs to win 1 of the next 2 games to  guarantee a spot in the playoffs. The running game was powerful, amassing over 300 yards. 

Stebbins Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive With Big Win 

The Stebbins Indians knew that the game with Xenia was must win, and on Homecoming Night, Stebbins showed out with a 42-7 blowout win over the Bucs. Xenia was sitting atop the division, with Stebbins right behind them. Now both teams sit at 5-3 with 2 games left.

Senior Star RB Omar Holloway did the heavy lifting on the ground, as he scored a TD and punished defenders with his powerful running style. QB Nate Keller has been dynamic all season, and the duo once again has this Indians team in the running for a playoff berth. 

Defensively the team was led by Dalton King, who has showed all season that he is one of the best defensive players in the conference and the Region. 

Alter Finds W Column with Defensive Effort

The Alter Knights were able to get into the winning column after a losing streak and run their record to 3-5 on the season. In desperation mode of sorts, the Knights were able to put together a balanced effort to get them back in the right direction.

 With 16 teams making the playoffs instead of 8, if Alter wins its last 2 games, they could find themselves back in the playoffs. 

Valley View Knocks Off Franklin

The Valley View Spartans was able to upend Franklin as they look to grab another playoff spot. Franklin 

Which local teams are in the playoffs? GWOC vs Columbus; CJ-Alter Part 2; Key Players, Predictions

With the playoffs on the horizon lets look at all the teams that made it into the OHSAA 2017 Football  Playoffs and who they will face:

From L-R: Raveion Hargrove, Joseph Scates, Elijah Malcolm, Isaiah Bowser, Andre Gordon, Blue Smith

(SWOPL)
Belmont   @  Sidney   (D-2) 
Can Belmont and their vaunted D defeat Sidney and their dynamic duo?
We taking Belmont in a close one 23-21.


Dunbar    @   Goshen   (D-3)
Can the Wolverines head down to Goshen and defeat the run heavy squad?
We're taking Dunbar 34-24. 


Cin Taft  @ Indian Hill  (D-4)
Can Taft stop a very tough Indian Hill squad?
We take Taft 20-18.



GWOC  vs Columbus
 In what could help shape who wins the State title, the GWOC will square off against Columbus schools this week as the winners will move on to the regional semifinals.
Although there is 7 teams in the playoffs, there are no matchups featuring 2 schools, which could prove to be a epic year like 2 years ago, or could be a Columbus win, depending on how the games swing.
With city bragging rights on the line, here's the matchups:

(D-1)
Pickerington North   @ Wayne
Can North come up to Wayne and stop the Wayne Train? Look for a outburst from Warriors.
Wayne wins 27-20.


Northmont @ Pickerington Central
Can the Bolts continue their great run against arguably the best team in Columbus area?
Pickerington stops Bolts 27-24. 


Hillard Darby  @ Centerville
Can the Elks continue the great run for 1st year coach Brent Ullery? Or will Hillard pull of a upset win?
Elks get it done 24-21.


Fairmont @ Hillard Bradley
Can the Firebirds go into Hillard and defeat the undefeated Bradley team? Fairmont has a playoff type of team, with run first mentality.
Bradley stops Fairmont run 17-7.


(D-2)
Troy  @ Cincy Anderson 
Can the Trojans go down to Cincy and get it done vs a well rounded Anderson squad?
Troy wins on road 26-24.

(D-3)
Trotwood      vs   Elida
Can Elida pull off the major upset? Doubtful, as the Rams are on a mission to grab that title that eluded them last season.
Rams roll 40-7.

C-J              vs   Alter
Can the Eagles get some getback after a beatdown from the Knights last week? Should be a good one.
Alter wins rematch 31-21.

Franklin        vs   New Richmond
Can Franklin continue to put up major numbers against a high firepower squad such as New Richmond?
Franklin falls to New Richmond 34-32.


(D-4)
Waverly      @  Valley View
Can the Spartans continue their undefeated season against a tough Waverly team? The Spartans have whacked every opponent this season they have played.
Valley view wins 37-21.

Friday Recap: Springfield survives in OT; Wayne falls to Elks; Huge Games Today

Heres the recap on the Sectional games from Friday night.

Springfield wakes up in time to squeak past Xenia in OT
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Xenia Bucs had played a nearly flawless game, and seemed headed to a huge upset of the #1 seed.
Until the Springfield Wildcats unleashed a late flurry starting early in the 4th to send it into OT, then outlasted Xenia to win and move on to the District finals by a score of 73-72.
 Led by Leonard Taylor, Danny Davis and Mike McKay, the Wildcats will head to the finals for the first time in 4 years. They will face the winner of the #3 Oak Hills vs #12 Wilmington matchup.

Coach Carson and the Cats fans were very relieved after it looked as if Springfield would be the first #1 seed to go down in the OHSAA Bracket.

Centerville knocks off Wayne
The Centerville Elks used hot shooting, patient offense, and a Senior leader in Keegan Saben to shut down Wayne 74-58 on Friday night.
Wayne hit the first bucket of the game, a 3-pointer, and after that, it seemed like a struggle to get the ball in the hoop, as they shot poorly from the perimeter. While Centerville seemed comfortable in the game plan, the Wayne Train couldn't get on track, aside from Star F L'Christian "Blue" Smith, as Smith hit 3 3-pointers to keep Wayne in the game.
Ultimately, it was too much Saben and the Elks.
Centerville had 4 guys in double figures, led by Sabens 25, and will move on to play either #6 Lakota East or #4 Mason.

Keegan Saben delivers in the clutch for Centerville 

Saben was unstoppable, using screens, the baseline, back door moves and his own dribble moves to get his game off. Sam Lash (14) and G Donnie Shelton (10, 6rbs, 5ass, 4 steals) helped in a overall team effort.

Blue Smith (15) and Deshawn Parker (10) led the Warriors in scoring.



TODAYS GAMES:
D-1 NORTHMONT    vs  SPRINGBORO     @ Centerville (7:30)
 Can Northmont continue to play lights out like they have this season? Or will Springboro continue to find a way to win when it counts?
  This GWOC matchup could come down to the wire.



D-2 
#7 VALLEY VIEW    vs  #1 TROTWOOD   (5 pm)
Can Valley View compete with the best team in the State according to the OHSAA Final HS State Poll? While Valley View has had a good season, it will take a monumental effort to pull off the upset today as the Rams look to reach the District Finals. The Rams are averaging a whopping 115 points a game in the tournament.


#10 CARROLL        vs     #6  PONITZ    (6:30) 
In a game featuring a Carroll team who defeated Thurgood last season in this exact round, can they do it again against the higher seed? While Ponitz has been playing well, this Carroll team will be ready for the challenge. Former Flyer and current Ponitz head Coach Steve Pittman has had a very good first year. Can he grab a sectional title?



#5 CHAMINADE-JULIENNE      vs   #2 DUNBAR   (8pm)
In the game of the Day, can C-J and their dynamic backcourt somehow pull off the major upset of the Wolverines? Dunbar's offense has been nothing but high octane as they scored 100 in the last game. Can Chaminade play their game, slow the tempo down and keep the game in the 50's like they want it? Or will one of the Top teams in the State show that they are too much to handle?


CINCY Bracket
#2 HUGHES               vs         #3  TAFT 
Can Cincy Hughes get the big win over Taft?  While TAFT was a shot away from State last season, they will be hard pressed to stop Hughes and their marksmanship. Not to mention HUGHES winning the games this season as well. Can Taft find what it will take to pull off the big W?


#1 WYOMING            vs        #4 WOODWARD
Can WYOMING continue its great season? Or will perennial WOODWARD pull off the minor upset? Woodward has the pieces to do it, but Wyoming has been nearly unstoppable all season.

Wayne shuts down Springfield and twitter beef; Dunbar earns playoff berth; Thurgood, Ponitz, earn Ws

Here's the lowdown on Week 9 and what happened in some of the big games around the Miami Valley:

Dunbar RB Tavion Thomas powers Wolverines past Taft to playoff berth

Wayne stops Springfield - 
 Wayne once again showed that when the chips are down, they still are the premier team in the Miami Valley as they were able to win @ Springfield in a nationally televised game 38-14.
  Wayne Train star RB Fred Pitts dominated along with the O-Line, as he ran for 202 yards and 2 TDs, & the Warriors dominated in the trenches on both sides.

Star RB Fred Pitts making waves for the Wayne Train 

After the game, Wildcats coach Maurice Douglass admitted that Wayne had controlled the line of scrimmage. While he feels his squad is close, they were not quite to the level they needed to be to defeat Wayne in a national game. While he was pleased with the effort, he still hopes for his team to get better.
   Leading up to the game there was some twitter and social media beefing  in which the Cats and the Warriors went at it. At the end of the day, the twitter fingers took the field, and a game was played, and it was the Warriors who got the last laugh.

  Wayne now moves to 8-0-1 while Springfield falls to 6-3. The Wildcats, with a win, could still get into the OHSAA playoffs.  Wayne, ranked 2nd in the state, hopes to get a 1st round home playoff game.




 Dunbar exacts revenge, garners playoff berth
    Dunbar wanted to show anybody who will listen that they are ready for anybody. And knowing that Cincy Taft was the one team that stood in their way, and with the SWOPL championship berth and playoff implications on the line?
  The Wolverines know their time is now, and Dunbar once again seized the moment, scoring early and often as they turned the expected battle into a rout 42-12.
 The Wolverines were led by Junior QB Jamar Walker  & Senior 2 way star Keyshawn Jones. 
Walker threw for 4 TDs on the day, 2 of them long TDs to Jones in the 1st half, as the Wolverines went up 30-0 at half.

And the rout was on.

With the win, Dunbar has clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 6 years.  Dunbar moves to 8-1 while Taft falls to 6-3. Taft was in position to make the playoffs but will have to win and hope for help now.



C-J wins again, preps for Alter 
   C-J trampled over Badin to move 1 step closer to a playoff berth. The Eagles now move to 6-3, & with a win over Alter, could reach the playoffs after starting 0-2.

Star QB DariJuan Stroud leading the Cougars to a W

Thurgood handles Meadowdale  
 Thurgood was able to handle Meadowdale in a huge city battle 34-7. Coach Brian Carter has led his troops to a 4-5 record as they head into last game. Star QB Darion Stroud led the Cougars to another big win, as the  Cougars have had their share of big Ws this season. Meadowdale falls to 3-6.

Can Ponitz get to playoffs? (6-3) 

Ponitz sets record for wins   
  Ponitz continues to set records this season, as the Panthers defeated Cincy Gamble Montessori this season. The Panthers were led by D'Edgar Cooks, who was unstoppable.
 Coach Jim Place has taken the Panthers and now have them at 6-3. If the Panthers weren't D-3,  they'd be playing for a playoff spot. They need some help, but there's still a outside chance they can get in.



Northmont upsets the "Boro"  
 Nothmont delivered a tough loss to Springboro as they rode star RB Devin Kenerly 4 TDS - 2 in the 4th quarter, as the Bolts won 32-20. Springboro was ahead 20-19 going into 4th, but Northmont took control for the win. Northmont moves to 4-5 while Springboro falls to 6-3, & now must win and get a little help to make playoffs.



Trotwood cruises, ready for Wayne  
 Trotwood smacked down Xenia 49-14  in a "Trap Game" for the Rams.
QB Markell Stephens Peppers led the way with 3 TDs, as the Rams now ready for a huge GWOC match-up with Wayne this week. The Rams have won 8 straight since Week 1 loss.



Miamisburg moves 1 win away from playoffs  
 Miamisburg continue its strong play with hey easy win over Beavercreek 28 - 7.  3 TD  runs by Clark & 100 yards running by Netherton basically sealed the deal as the O-Line dominated for the Burg. Miamisburg moves to 7-2 & in good playoff position.



Lebanon secures win 
  Lebanon basically secured a playoff berth as they ran over Stebbins 41-14. Star QB Dakota Allen  went ham on Stebbins with 5-TDs, as the Warriors moved to 7-2 on the season.



Franklin throws up 66 on Oakwood
 Franklin continued it's dream season with a big time win over Oakwood 66-48. The Wildcats are 9-0 & will look to go undefeated and ready for a playoff berth.  Franklin star RB. Ryan Montgomery scored 5 times.

Wayne shuts down Springfield and twitter beef; Dunbar earns playoff berth; Thurgood, Ponitz, earn Ws

Here's the lowdown on Week 9 and what happened in some of the big games around the Miami Valley:

Dunbar RB Tavion Thomas powers Wolverines past Taft to playoff berth

Wayne stops Springfield - 
 Wayne once again showed that when the chips are down, they still are the premier team in the Miami Valley as they were able to win @ Springfield in a nationally televised game 38-14.
  Wayne Train star RB Fred Pitts dominated along with the O-Line, as he ran for 202 yards and 2 TDs, & the Warriors dominated in the trenches on both sides.

Star RB Fred Pitts making waves for the Wayne Train 

After the game, Wildcats coach Maurice Douglass admitted that Wayne had controlled the line of scrimmage. While he feels his squad is close, they were not quite to the level they needed to be to defeat Wayne in a national game. While he was pleased with the effort, he still hopes for his team to get better.
   Leading up to the game there was some twitter and social media beefing  in which the Cats and the Warriors went at it. At the end of the day, the twitter fingers took the field, and a game was played, and it was the Warriors who got the last laugh.

  Wayne now moves to 8-0-1 while Springfield falls to 6-3. The Wildcats, with a win, could still get into the OHSAA playoffs.  Wayne, ranked 2nd in the state, hopes to get a 1st round home playoff game.




 Dunbar exacts revenge, garners playoff berth
    Dunbar wanted to show anybody who will listen that they are ready for anybody. And knowing that Cincy Taft was the one team that stood in their way, and with the SWOPL championship berth and playoff implications on the line?
  The Wolverines know their time is now, and Dunbar once again seized the moment, scoring early and often as they turned the expected battle into a rout 42-12.
 The Wolverines were led by Junior QB Jamar Walker  & Senior 2 way star Keyshawn Jones. 
Walker threw for 4 TDs on the day, 2 of them long TDs to Jones in the 1st half, as the Wolverines went up 30-0 at half.

And the rout was on.

With the win, Dunbar has clinched a playoff berth for the first time in over 20 years.  Dunbar moves to 8-1 while Taft falls to 6-3. Taft was in position to make the playoffs but will have to win and hope for help now.



C-J wins again, preps for Alter 
   C-J trampled over Badin to move 1 step closer to a playoff berth. The Eagles now move to 6-3, & with a win over Alter, could reach the playoffs after starting 0-2.

Star QB DariJuan Stroud leading the Cougars to a W

Thurgood handles Meadowdale  
 Thurgood was able to handle Meadowdale in a huge city battle 34-7. Coach Brian Carter has led his troops to a 4-5 record as they head into last game. Star QB Darion Stroud led the Cougars to another big win, as the  Cougars have had their share of big Ws this season. Meadowdale falls to 3-6.

Can Ponitz get to playoffs? (6-3) 

Ponitz sets record for wins   
  Ponitz continues to set records this season, as the Panthers defeated Cincy Gamble Montessori this season. The Panthers were led by D'Edgar Cooks, who was unstoppable.
 Coach Jim Place has taken the Panthers and now have them at 6-3. If the Panthers weren't D-3,  they'd be playing for a playoff spot. They need some help, but there's still a outside chance they can get in.



Northmont upsets the "Boro"  
 Nothmont delivered a tough loss to Springboro as they rode star RB Devin Kenerly 4 TDS - 2 in the 4th quarter, as the Bolts won 32-20. Springboro was ahead 20-19 going into 4th, but Northmont took control for the win. Northmont moves to 4-5 while Springboro falls to 6-3, & now must win and get a little help to make playoffs.



Trotwood cruises, ready for Wayne  
 Trotwood smacked down Xenia 49-14  in a "Trap Game" for the Rams.
QB Markell Stephens Peppers led the way with 3 TDs, as the Rams now ready for a huge GWOC match-up with Wayne this week. The Rams have won 8 straight since Week 1 loss.



Miamisburg moves 1 win away from playoffs  
 Miamisburg continue its strong play with hey easy win over Beavercreek 28 - 7.  3 TD  runs by Clark & 100 yards running by Netherton basically sealed the deal as the O-Line dominated for the Burg. Miamisburg moves to 7-2 & in good playoff position.



Lebanon secures win 
  Lebanon basically secured a playoff berth as they ran over Stebbins 41-14. Star QB Dakota Allen  went ham on Stebbins with 5-TDs, as the Warriors moved to 7-2 on the season.



Franklin throws up 66 on Oakwood
 Franklin continued it's dream season with a big time win over Oakwood 66-48. The Wildcats are 9-0 & will look to go undefeated and ready for a playoff berth.  Franklin star RB. Ryan Montgomery scored 5 times.

HS Boys Tournament results; Trotwood, Wayne both drop 100, Ponitz upsets C-J, Dunbar cruises

Here are some of the Headlines and recap of what happened this last weekend in the 1st round of the OHSAA Bball tournament:

Wolverines guard Chris Jackson goes for 2 vs Massie

TROTWOOD  puts a 100 spot on ROSS
    Trotwood started off the OHSAA tourney with a bang, dropping a 100 spot on a overmatched Ross team. the Rams had 5 players in double figures led by All-GWOC Guard Torrey Patton who had 18.

THURGOOD smacks WAYNESVILLE
   The City League Champs handled business as they took out Waynesville 77-58. 
Thurgood was led by Evan Clayborne who had 17 & Jones who also had 17. 

CENTERVILLE  squeaks out win 

   The Elks won a tight game as Keegan Saben hit 12 huge points to lead the Elks to a 42-39 win. The score was 25-18 Centerville after 3 quarters when Fairmont made a run.

PONITZ upsets C-J 

    In one of the bigger upsets in the 1st round, Ponitz defeated State Semifinalist C-J to move on to the next round. 
Ponitz controlled the game, until the 4th, when the Eagles made a run to get back into it. Scott led the Panthers with 18. Ponitz led by 10 at half and played a strong game from start to finish. 
    Salute rookie head coach Dwayne Hansbro for his first OHSAA tournament win as a head coach.

DUNBAR cruises vs Massie
 The Wolverines came out firing and rolled to a easy 1st round win vs Massie. 
 Dunbar started the game on a 24-12 run, and never looked back, winning 87-52.
Terrance Landers Jr. led a balanced attack with 13. 


MEADOWDALE falls to OAKWOOD in final minute
  Meadowdale lost a heartbreaker to Oakwood as they couldn't seal the deal, lose late 48-47. 
  The game was tight all night long, and you knew it would be a fantastic finish. 
   The Lions had a couple chances, but couldn't finish the game. The Lions were led by J.Smith with 14. 
  

SPRINGFIELD claws past BUTLER
 The Wildcats easily handled Butler to move on to next round.


WAYNE drops 100 without star player
   Wayne had no trouble with West Carrolton, as they put up 101 against the Pirates. 
The Warriors didn't have star big man the Christian Blu Smith, as he sat out the game.



MIDDLETOWN survives Milford
  Middletown won it's 1st round opener vs Milford by a score of 38-35. 
 The game was close throughout,  but the Middies were able to make the key plays to push through.