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 

Week 8 Recap: Wayne has Fairmont seeing "Blue" After Hail Mary; Belmont rolls again; Rams post 67; Northmont stops Elks; Wolverines fall; Cougars win 5th straight;

Here's our top Headlines for a Wild Week 8 in the Miami Valley:

Smith gives Fairmont "the Blues" with big catch  as Wayne survives
In the fairy tale that has been the Fairmont Firebirds season, the Wayne Warriors star receiver gave them a nightmare for a week or so.

In a game that featured great play from both sides, back and forth action, and a ruckus crowd, with the game tied at 28 and time running out, Rashad McKee launched a pass that L'Christian Blue Smith was able to grab from the defender in the end zone for the win.
The pass looked to be intercepted, only to be snatched away by Blue Smith.
Ball game.
Wayne moves to 6-2 and now looks as a lock for a playoff berth, while the loss drops the Firebirds to 6-2 as well.
Smith was heavily guarded by rising star DB Ryan Hall, but Smith, the Ohio State commit, showed why the Buckeyes can't wait for the 6'6 dynamic stud Wideout whose stock seems to be skyrocketing by the week.
The TD puts Smith in elite company as he now sits 20th all time on the TD list in OHSAA history.

Belmont roasts Shroeder, eyes SWOPL Championship
The Bison continued their unstoppable play with a 63-0 win over Schroeder at Welcome Stadium Friday night.

Dawson Martin, a do-it-all type player, scored twice and threw another TD,Senior Demari Black scored on a kickoff return and then later and the Bison scored 36 in the first quarter en route to the blowout win.
Star DB Jaden Rucker Furlow , a Miami commit, scored on a 47-yard pass to help the offensive attack.

Belmont has given up 9 points in 8 games, a average of 1.2 points per game.

With only one game left (@ Western Hills) and barring a meltdown, the Bison could - and should -be headed to the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season. And with that they can add another SWOPL Championship, which Coach Earl White and the staff can add to the growing list of achievements the Bison have conquered in this record breaking season.

Player of the Game:  Dawson Martin, Sr. DB-RB  Belmont
Dawson ran a TD, caught a TD pass and threw a TD pass as well, as the dynamic two way player dominated in every phase for the Bison.

Dunbar falls to Taft, still in playoff hunt
The Wolverines lost a tough one down in the Nati to a game and excited Taft team, who pulled out the victory.
Dunbar is now 5-3, and must win last 2 games for a shot at the playoffs. Taft sits at 6-2 and if they can win their last 2 games, should be in the playoffs as well.
QB Cleveland Farmer ran for 2 TD's and threw for another as Taft dominated the first half, going up 24-0 before Dunbar struck back on a long TD to Alabama commit JoJo Scates.

After a score by Dunbar, Taft stalled on its next drive and punted back to the Wolverines.
 However, the possession ended in a INT for the Wolverines, and that sealed the deal on a comeback.

Taft is now #4 in the playoff rankings, and could host a playoff game as they move to 6-2 and 3-0 in the SWOPL.


Trotwood puts a 67 spot on Stebbins
The Rams scored early and often as they ran past Stebbins as the Rams ran their record to 8-0. Trotwood star RB Raveion Hargrove scored 3 times while Stephens Peppers threw 3 TD's and ran for one more - in the first half  alone- as the #1 Team in the state rolled to a easy win against Stebbins.


Northmont stops Centerville as key play by Lewis saves game
Danny Lewis, a fast rising junior DB, hasn't gotten much pub with the likes of Devin Kennerly and the senior laden Thunderbolts team.
But Lewis came up with the clutch stop on 4th down against Centerville, and Northmont defeated the Elks 21-14 as the fans went crazy after the win.

 The Bolts now sit at 6-2 and knocks the Elks from the undefeated ranks as well (7-1).
Lewis is also a very good basketball player, and comes from great lineage as his father enjoyed a great career professionally in basketball.

Bolts coach Tony Broering knows that this is his best team he's had and with 1 more win, it could secure a berth in the OHSAA playoffs.



Thurgood survives on road at Woodward, keep playoff hopes alive

The Cougars of Thurgood Marshall continued to show why, if things go right, they could end up in the OHSAA playoffs after a gritty 21-20 OT win at Woodward.

While Woodward is not in playoff contention, they played hard all night, and looked as if they would be able to upend the Cougars in OT.
After a TD score by Woodward RB Kyron Reese, who was unstoppable near the goaline, the game went into OT.

Thurgood would score on a Russell Jashawn TD and with a extra point by Mr Automatic Rolando Perez would push the score to 21-14.
Woodward then would score on  a Reese TD, and when it was time to kick the extra point?
Former Wayne and Dayton Christian coach and head man for Woodward in Kali Jones rolled the dice and went for 2.

At home? With the crowd roaring in approval?  Against a tired Cougars team?

Thurgood stopped Reese short of the end zone, and the Cougars playoff hopes stayed alive.

Then came the jubilation for Thurgood, as they now own a 5-game winning steak under Coach Brian Carter,  which is the most since the Earl White era.

Troy stops Sidney undefeated run with great rushing performance from Culp-Bishop

The Trojans shut down Sidney's vaunted offense and with it, put themselves in playoff contention with a 48-21 thrashing on Friday night.
Rising RB Jaydon Culp-Bishop tormented the Yellow Jackets D for 237 yards, with a Tony Dorsett like run of 99 yards to break open the game and move the Trojans in first place in the GWOC North Division.
As far as stud RB and leading Rusher Isaiah Bowser?

55 yards on 25 carries, by far his lowest outing of the season.

Culp Bishop stated after the game that the Troy D is "the best in the GWOC. Period."

Not sure if that is true, but for one night, they shut down the top guy in the GWOC and put themselves in good position for a playoff berth.
Sidney falls to 7-1.



Springfield clobbers Beavercreek, sends statement

The Wildcats was at a crossroads before the game, as they had let one slip away at home to Northmont. Sitting at 5-2, how would they respond against a tough team who had just lost themselves in Beavercreek?

Well the response was ferocious, and it left no doubt that the Wildcats want a taste of the OHSAA Playoffs as they bounced back with a resounding 64-28 win at Beavercreek.

Leonard Taylor was on point, and the offense was hitting on all cylinders in the big win.
The win moves the Wildcats to 6-2 and in a good position to reach the Playoffs.
The Beavers have lost 3 straight, and need to win last 2 games to try to get back in playoff contention.


The Burg wins 2nd straight, stays in hunt

Miamisburg won their 2nd straight game as they defeated Lebanon 24-13. The win gets the Burg back to .500 (4-4) and if they can win their last 2 games, could push them back into a playoff spot.

 Star WR Tyler Johnson led the Vikings on the win.

Valley View rolls to 8th straight, dominates Oakwood

The Spartans showed why they could be a problem come playoff time as they wiped out Oakwood and their explosive offense 50-7.
The Spartans scored 29 in the 1st quarter and never looked back as Genslinger and Wood scored twice in the 1st half to lead Valley View to a 8-0 record on the season and hopeful to host a 1st round game.



Alter shuts out Badin, wins 20th straight, C-J survives, wins 6th straight
Alter continued to show control of Badin, as they shut them out 48-0. The Knights have beaten Badin 20 straight times, and now sit at 7-1 on the season. John Bivens, the star RB for Alter, powered for  260 yards on 25 rushes, the Badin had no one who could stop the D-1 bound RB.

C-J survived a tough game from McNicholas as they won 24-21.
With the win, C-J moves into a position to possibly make the playoffs, as they have won 6 straight since the Week 2 loss. Coach Marcus Colvin is real pleased with the progress through the season, and know that if he can get a big Week 9 win, they could be headed to the playoffs despite a 0-2 start.



Stars of Week 8

L'Christian Blue Smith, WR  Wayne - Blue Smith gave something for the Firebirds to remember if they don't make the playoffs as the Hail Mary catch capped off a 4-catch dominating display of why Ohio State is drooling over the WR sensation.

Danny Lewis, DB, Northmont  Lewis, who could be headed for stardom, knocked down the final pass vs Centerville and helped shut down one the Top Teams in the GWOC in a 21-14 win. Lewis, a athletic DB,  is a  2- sport star in the making, and should have a great end to the season.

Raveion Hargrove, RB  Trotwood  - Hargrove continues to amaze, with 4 TD's in the game as he seems to just be playing at another level, along with the rest of the team.

Rashad McKee,  QB,  Wayne  McKee continued to show up big in the big games as he accounted for 5 TD's in the epic game and ended with a  connect to Blue Smith to end the game.
McKee seems headed for stardom and some big time D-1 recruitment.

Rolando Perez, K Thurgood  Perez has come through in the clutch for Thurgood, as they ride a 5 game winning streak. Perez hit the GW Kick to help seal the deal for the Cougars. With Perez, it has made Thurgood a more rounded team with a solid Special Teams unit.

Kameron Mathis, WR, Northnmont - Mathis caught 2 big TD passes against State Ranked Centerville to help the Bolts get the big win.

Dawson Martin, RB-DB, Belmont  - Martin showed he can be a jack of all trades as he scored a TD running, catching, and passing the ball as the Bison destroyed Shroeder. Martin is one of the most versatile football players in all of Ohio and in the Midwest, and is a D-1 prospect, no doubt.


Jaydon Culp-Bishop, RB, Troy - Culp Bishop took all the hype from opposing RB Isaiah Bowser and responded with a 237 yard effort that included a 99-yard TD run. Not bad for fast rising junior from Troy.

John Bivens, RB,  Alter  - Bivens continues to show whe he could be the highest RB prospect in the junior class in Ohio, as he rushed for 260 on 25 carries to lead the State Ranked Knights to a 7-1 record. Hes already been recruited by Big 10 schools.

Leonard Taylor, QB,  Springfield - Taylor showed why the Cats could be a team who could do some big things as he led the Cats to a big win against Beavercreek. The dynamic big QB ran an passed for TDs, controlled the tempo, and got the Cats back in the playoff saddle.

Thurgood - Dunbar rivalry renews tonight at Welcome Stadium

Can the Dunbar D lead the Wolverines to a win?

Thurgood Marshall and Dunbar will collide tonight @Welcome Stadium (7pm). These two teams always seem to play good hard football, as Dunbar looks to keep its great season going. They will try to get to the playoffs while Thurgood will look to move back to .500 for the first time and 3-1 in the division.
  Dunbar will look to go to 7-1 and keep its playoff hopes alive. With the coaches and players brimming with confidence and the game on TV?
 Should be a good game tonight with 2 of the city's finest battling again for city league football supremacy.

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