City League Championship Up for Grabs Tonight; Can Dunbar take the Football crown away from Belmont? Top 100 (Southwest Ohio)

City League Championship Up for Grabs Tonight;
Can Dunbar take the Crown away from Belmont?

After a long season of ups and downs, the Belmont Bison and the Dunbar Wolverines are the only undefeated teams (3-0) standing in the Dayton Public League Football Standings.


And tonight, they will decide who will win the 2019 City League Championship, as they clash at 7pm tonight at Welcome Stadium. Belmont has won last 4 of the last 5 Championships and 2 in a row.


Despite both teams having struggles in the season, they have shown that they clearly are the 2 best teams in the City League. Belmont has outscored its opponents 145-18  while Dunbar has overpowered its opponents to a tune of 130-20 total score. Lets break down the teams in the Dayton Weekly Game of the Week (week 10).

Offense:

Belmont – The Bison depend on a running game, led by Senior QB Rian Reeves (DHSS #2), Junior RB Tavon Hardwick (DHSS #5)  and Junior RB Joddi Burton (DHSS #34). The O-Line is the best in the City and uses the “Ground and Pound” strategy to gain advantage of its opponents.  With an experienced Coaching Staff, the ability to throw the ball, as Reeves has a few TD passes this season, and a formula that works in bad weather?

Dunbar – The Wolverines have weapons all over the field, with 2 legit QB’s in Junior QB Greg Packnett Jr (DHSS #6) and sophomore Nate Roberts (DHSS #51). Then you look at current Dayton HS Sports #1 Ranked WR – Junior Brandon Wright and #4 Ranked Jaquan Lusbourgh (WR), and talented RB James Murray (DHSS #20) rounding out the stars of the offense. But don’t be fooled; there are other players who could breakout as well.

Advantage: Dunbar

Defense:

Belmont – With Star LB Adrian Cook (DHSS #10) sidelined this season, it has been others who have filled the void. The Estes brothers have been a factor; Daljuan Estes (DHSS #28) and Latrell (DHSS #24) along with Kiko Garcia (DHSS #53) have anchored the Defensive Line and Linebackers core.  Some have mentioned Garcia as being the most consistent defender on the Bison team. Rising stars Tay Arnold (DHSS #22) and Kenyan “Money” Moon (DHSS #33) lead the backfield.

Dunbar – Defensive studs Jacar’e Morris (DHSS #11) and Alex Dawkins (DHSS #23) have been big time this season, as they have been rock solid in the middle. Add playmaking DB’s Jamar Payton (DHSS #45), T’Shaun Richardson (DHSS #49), and rising player Myles Lacking (DHSS #55) who all have been lights out in the last few weeks, and now you’re ready for war.
Advantage: Even


Coaching:

Belmont: With Earl White running the team, Doug Spears calling the plays, and the entire staff in control; this is the best staff in the City League. Has been for the last 3 or 4 years.


Dunbar: With Eric Freed in his 2^nd season, and bringing back Al Powell and Lacking, along with his staff, have shown they can win and get results after a tumultuous start to the season.

Edge: Belmont




Keys to the Game:

• ·        Can Dunbar stop Belmont from rushing the ball?
• ·        Can Belmont’s young studs stop the offensive passing arsenal of Dunbar?
• ·        Which stars will step up when the lights are the brightest?
• 
  
• ·        Who will win the Special Teams battle?

Final Analysis:

In a game with football type of conditions (Wet, possibly rain, 45 degrees)  can the Wolverines find a way to stop the Bisons reign of the City League?


Game will come down to the wire, with Belmont winning 23-21.
NOTE: If Greg Packnett starts game, we are going with Dunbar with the win.
If not, we take the Bison.

Ki

TOP 100 LAUNCH, AWARD SHOW INFO TOMORROW 
Tomorrow we will be launching a Top 100 for the Miami Valley. The top 100 will be for the Conferences such as the GWOC, GCL, Miami Valley League, SWBL, and other teams.

We also will be Announcing the Nominees for the Dayton HS Sports Award Show for Dayton Public Schools. We will announce Award Show for Southwest Ohio next Friday.



Follow us on the journey!
@DaytonHSSports

Minor Setback for a Major Comeback; Rams win State, Silences Haters

Last year, the Trotwood Rams went into the OHSAA state football championship game feeling really confident that they could get it done and be 2016 - 17 state champions.

Trotwood celebrate 27-19 win over Tri-Valley for D-3 OHSAA Championship 

In that game, the Rams would be embarrassed, shut out on national TV and headed home with a nasty taste in their mouth.

Rams Coach Jeff Graham, the coaching staff, and the team was diploatic about it, but steaming inside.

Was the Rams overrated? Did they need some new juice in coaching or on the field? What was the reason for the collapse?
And on and on and on the questions ensued all summer and through the fall.

When the season started this year, there would be no hype train. Just all focus. No interviews, no preseason hoopla.

 This could be why the Trotwood Rams (15-0) are the 2017-18 OHSAA Division 3 State football champions after a comeback win on Saturday night vs Tri-Valley 27-19.

In In game that went back and forth, the Rams would step up in the most crucial of situations, in the 4th quarter.

Down 19-14 in the 3rd,  the Rams was able to score, shut down Tri-Valley and secure the championship on a William McDaniel TD, his 2nd of the half.

William McDaniel scores on a TD run

McDaniel scored 3 times on the night, while Hargrove got the Rams going with the 1st TD.
Hargrove, the runner up Mr Football, ran for 137 while McDaniels ran for 142 yards.

Then, in normal fashion, the Rams vaunted defense stepped up, as Jayvanare Nelloms snatched a huge INT, the only turnover of the night, and the Rams would hold on for the huge win.

The Rams have won their 2nd State Football title, the other in 2011. Offensive Coordinator Kerry Ivy stated, "This one means a lot" in which Ivy and the coaching staff endured all the criticism from last year.

All the haters can fall back now, as the Rams showed why they are the top team in D-3 & arguably the best in the State.

Congrats to Ram Nation on the title.
The question is, are the Rams the best in Ohio and the Midwest?

Minor setback for a major comeback.

Salute the Rams.

Underdog Rams look to finish with State Championship

Trotwood Rams will play for a chance to win the OHSAA D-3 Football Championsip today (3pm). They will take on Archbishop Hoban (13-1), the champions from last season at Ohio State Stadium.

Can the "Underdog" Rams grab that elusive State Championship

The Rams have been counted out all year as a serious threat to win a Football State title.

While other teams looked more the part, the Rams struggled in game 1, losing to Troy 12-6.

Raveion Hargrove struggled with a early season injury, along with other key players.
 We're the Rams overrated?
Was this just not going to be the year they expected? Would they still be a year away?

Then came the schedule.

The Rams schedule was called soft, weak, and not tough enough to get the Rams ready for the playoffs.
 Despite being one of the top dogs in the GWOC for the last decade, the Rams still are overlooked, especially on the Local & National front.

Today, the entire Ram Nation will have their chance, as they take on a ready for war Hoban squad.
The Rams, once again, will not be favored in this game despite having a elite team.
 Should be no sweat for Coach Jeff Graham and the Rams.

 Hoban has everything to lose as they are going for legendary status with back to back championships.
 Trotwood also has a lot to lose, as they don't want to fall to 1-4 in Championship games.
  The Rams have made it to the state final 5 of the last 7 years, and have reached the State Semifinal the last 7 straight, a record in the Southwest Ohio area.
  If the Rams can seize a huge victory today, they will solidly themselves as a perennial title contender, a giant slayer, and a National powerhouse in the making.

   Former NFL Player, now Coach Maurice Douglass guided Ram Nation back to prominence and handed the baton to Jeff Graham, who has done a masterful job in his own right, winning a State title and losing one in his tenure.
 For Graham and the Rams, winning on Ohio State soil would feel no sweeter than to the Rams Coach, who starred at Ohio State before heading to the pros.
 He told his players to take a few minutes and "soak up the moment." Before the big game at Buckeye Stadium.
"You will get emotional" Graham said.

  Look for a inspired Rams game today.

The defense has been lights out, & healthy star  RB Ravieon Hargrove has been electrifying along with the passing game.
 Hargrove will get a chance to play where he could end up in 2 years.
 Expect something special today from the underdogs.

The game is featured and televised on Time Warner today.

City League Championship on the line; Wayne - Springfield rematch

Here's the key games this weekend as we hit the late stretch of the Hoop Season:

(1) City League Championship in balance as Dunbar travels to Thurgood.

   In the last 15 years, the City League hoop Championship has been decided by 2 teams - 

Dunbar and Thurgood. 

     And to no surprise to many, Thurgood Marshall and Dunbar will battle tonight for the City League crown.

 LISTEN TO DUNBAR -THURGOOD GAME TONIGHT ON LINK BELOW: 
                   radio1.gemcitysports.com

  While The last time these teams played, Thurgood hit a huge 3 at the buzzer to defeat the Wolverines - in Heroic fashion no less. 

    Darnell Hoskins Jr. was terrific, and hit 2 huge buzzer beaters (one to end each half) that catapulted the Cougars into the early lead, then gave them the final win, shocking the Wolverines.

    Now tonight both teams know exactly what is at stake, as it seems every year for the last 15 years that these two teams are playing for it all. 

   Dunbar is 7-1 in the City League Standings & if they win, will win the City League outright; If Thurgood (6-1) wins, they will control their own destiny, as they have one game left, and could win it outright as well. 

   

   The one factor that will be different in this game than before is the presence of Evan Claiborne.  

   Claiborne, the former Wolverine now Cougar, was the talk of the summer for the transfer he made from the State Semifinalist. 

   

   The 6'10 defensive stopper with range has played well since being inserted in the Cougars lineup, and watch for the emotions to fly in this game, which will be on a Championship level to say the least. 

      Dunbar has seemingly found its rhythm, and while it hasn't been a dominant year, the Wolverines have had a good one nonetheless, and it could be sweeter with a revenge win in the Cougardome to grab another City League title. 

 Who wins the epic matchup? 

Let's compare the two sides & matchups a little further: 

GUARD PLAY:  ADVANTAGE  -  Cougars 

    While Dunbar's Stormi Cook has had a breakout year, and Chris Jackson started fast, the Cougars get the nod as Hoskins Jr. has been so good, that he is the front runner for Player of the Year in the City League. 

7

FORWARDS: Advantage -  Wolverines 

     While Thurgood has players to matchup with Wolverines, they have nobody on the level of Senior Wing Terrance Landers Jr, who, with a big game tonight,  could also make a serious claim for the City League Player of the Year. 

CENTERS: Advantage - Cougars

   While the Wolverines now play small ball, the Cougars now have the big presence in the paint in Claiborne,  and this is a huge advantage that the Wolverines had the luxury of for the past two years. 

  If the big men show up for Dunbar, it could propel them to a win. If not, could be a HUGE night for Claiborne. 

COACHING :  ADVANTAGE   - Even

 With some of the best coaching minds on the sidelines for each team, its safe to say that neither side will have a real advantage come tonight. 

   Coach Pete Pullen of Dunbar has been in this situation so many times, that him and his staff are used to it. Thurgood Coach Darnell Hoskins has also thrived in tough situations, and will be ready to lock wits with the Wolverines.

 when the season started, most people thought that this would be the matchup for the City League title. And right on cue, it hasn't let us down. 

Be prepared for one of the games of the year tonight in

 Its goin' down in the Cougar dome. (Around 730 -8pm)

& it will be a sellout, so get there early.

NOTE: In case you can't make it, you can LISTEN TO THE GAME WITH THE LINK Below 
(Courtesy of Gem City Radio):

        radio1.gemcitysports.com






(2) "The Field" takes on Wayne Train tonight 

 With so many victories on this incredible run, the Warriors have hurt everybody's feelings who have been in the way.

  And in a way, they could thank the Wildcats for that.
 Springfield tapped Wayne a couple seasons ago, and since that tapping, the Warriors haven't looked back in the last two years.
  While everyone knows about the wildness that took place between the Warriors and Wildcats last year, the Wildcats did play the Warriors almost to a even tilt, and even gave the Wayne Train all they could handle in the OHSAA Regionals.

    But when the smoke settled, the Wayne Train is still on the tracks..and running over opponents in the process as they look to get into USA Top 10 (Ranked 11th) in the country.
   Which brings us to the match up tonight.

Wayne has been winning all type of ways.

    Springfield has lost a series of heartbreaking games, but still has had a solid season to date.

 Does the Wildcats have enough to pull off the upset that could change their season?

Let's look at the matchups:

GUARD PLAY: ADVANTAGE - Even

    Despite having Rodrick Caldwell, a BGSU signee, the Wildcats have Danny Davis, a super talented, athletic Guard who has D-1 coaches hoping for his services. Whole Wayne has more than Caldwell, the Wildcats do too.

FORWARDS: Advantage  - Wayne

While Springfield has size at the 3 and 4, the Wayne Train duo of Chazz George and Trey Landers is, quite possibly, the best in the state. Landers has been nothing short of dominant, and that was no more evident in the destroyal inside against Trotwood. The Warriors had their way the first time..Will it change this time?

CENTERS: Advantage - Wayne 

 While Springfield has a monster on the block, who, once started up, can't be stopped, the Warriors have a future All-american in L'Christian Smith.
 Smith has been phenomenal, especially in the last up games, and has helped taken the Warriors to the next level. And yes, he's only a sophomore.
  While Wayne has a slight advantage,  it could be taken away if the Field can get the big man working early.


COACHING : ADVANTAGE - Even

    While there is no doubt that Wayne Coach Travis Trice Sr, is the man, the top HS Hoop coach right now in Southwest Ohio, the Wildcats have a great mind as well in Coach Isiah Carson.

 While Carson hasn't been able to win the big one, he still has done a good job of having the team ready to play. And make no mistake,  they will be ready to play tonight.
  Can he push the right buttons to pull off the upset?

No matter what the records are, this game will be as intense as a Regular season game can be.
GWOC style.

 


 

Wayne captures first ever State Championship; Dunbar falls in final seconds; C-J loses in semis

With three teams up in Columbus battling for High School State Hoop supremacy, here's the results of all three teams and how they fared.

Wayne Train seizes first ever state title, defeats Westerville South

When speaking with Wayne coach Travis Trice before the trip, he seemed at peace with what his team had accomplished.

But he knew he had the team to win it all.

And they did just that with a 65-57 win over Westerville South as they sprinted out early, controlled the game and hit timely free throws late to grab the biggest win in the school history in front of over 10,600 people.

D'Mitrik Trice led the Warriors with 19 as four Warriors hit double figures. Xeryius Williams, Trey Landers, and Robert Caldwell all balled out as Wayne came out much different than in the classic Semifinal game vs Lakewood St Edward.
In the semifinals Wayne was tested to the max.

Lakewood came out firing, grabbed a early lead, and set the tone. Wayne responded in second half, pushed it to OT, then dominated Overtime to get to the final.
Remember, St. Edward was the team who beat the Wayne Train to win the OHSAA D-1 football championship, so the extra motivation was there.
This time the Warriors would get the job done.

Coach Trice felt like the players believed in each other, was prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually & the "play for the one to the left and right of you" mentality is what helped the Warriors win its first ever State Championship.

And with what the Warriors have coming back?

Could be a couple more "Wayne Train" stops in the Schottenstein Center in the near future.

All Aboard the Wayne Championship Train.
Salute the champs.



Dunbar loses in final seconds to Defiance in Semis

The Wolverines had a golden opportunity to get to the State Championship, but couldn't take advantage of a lead and a couple of missed chances cost Dunbar as they lost 46-45.

Defiance came out stong early and established the tone, but Dunbar quickly reversed those fortunes and grabbed the lead late in the first quarter.
The Wolverines were ahead for most part of the second quarter and although the game was tight, Dunbar seemed to have a slight edge, as Ohio State bound Amos "A.J." Harris led the team at half with 10 points & Terrance Landers had 6.

In the 2nd half Dunbar grabbed a lead and held it for most of the half until the final moments. Dunbar was ahead 44-39 midway through the 4th quarter and it looked as if they would pull away.
But Defiance kept battling, and eventually tied it up in the last minute. Terrance Landers was fouled and made 1 of the 2 free throws, which left the door open for Defiance.
Defiance then was fouled after missing two shots and grabbing two offensive rebounds.
They hit both free throws to take the final lead. Dunbar came down and tried to get a shot up, but was unable to get one off as Defiance stole the ball underneath and was fouled with 3 seconds.

They would miss the front end of 1 & 1 but Harris half court desperation heave was short, and Defiance was on to their first ever State Finals.
Dunbar was outscored 9-4 in the 4th quarter, which sealed their fate.
A.J. Harris led the Wolverines with 19, & was the only player in double figures.
Harris did say that "he loves playing in the Schottenstein Center" & that he feels that Dunbar "should get back to State" next year.

After the game, Head Coach Peter Pullen was very dissapointed with the outcome, but was proud of his team and knows they will be back.

Note: Defiance did go on to win State, in OT.


C-J falls in fourth, loses to Lima Central Catholic

C-J fell behind early and although they came back strong late, fell to Lima Central Catholic 55-50 in the D-3 OHSAA Semifinals.
Lima jumped out early, and the Eagles responded. Central Catholic held a lead at half which ballooned to 15 before a 15-2 run by the Eagles cut it to 3, 45-42.
The Eagles would get it to 2, but Catholic knocked down some key free throws to send the Eagles home.
Coach Staley felt like his boys played hard, but Jus didn't execute quite well enough against a top notch opponent.
This was the Eagles 7th trip to the State.