Belmont game cancelled due to lack of players?; Top 5 Games in Week 9; Playoff Push

Belmont game cancelled

The Belmont game was cancelled yesterday due to a lack of players for the other team....With only 13 healthy players for the Cincy Riverview East Academy, the game was called due to forfeit.
This pushes the Bison record to 7-2 for the 2nd consecutive season and this also gives them another shot to get to the OHSAA playoffs for a 2nd year in a row, something that would be a first for Belmont football. They take on Dunbar next Friday.

Can this dynamic duo lead the Springfield Wildcats to a huge win over Wayne tonight?

TOP GAMES OF Week 9

With it being Week 9, there are some huge matchups that will shape some playoff contenders from the pretenders, and will also setup some major matchups for Week 10.

Here's the best games on this Football Friday, with the weather changing for the football gods.

Wayne  (7-0-1)      @  Springfield  (6-2)   In what could be the "Game of the Season", Wayne will look to continue its stranglehold on the GWOC and Southwest Ohio. Springfield has won some tough games on the road, but will all of "The Field" at this game for a chance at the biggest upset of the season. With D-1 Talent all over the field, this game will be as good as advertised. Two great coaches, 2 great programs, a bitter rivalry with perfect football temperatures (50-55 degrees) for kickoff.

 

 Can Wayne continue the dominance with possibly its most talented team ever? Or will Springfield earn a playoff berth tonight? Look for some epic performances from both sides.

Cincy Taft  (6-2)    @  Dunbar  (7-1)  -  Dunbar has come a long way this season, but if they don't win at least 1 of these next 2 games and clinch a playoff berth, then it will be all for naught, as the SWOPL Champions will stride into Welcome Stadium  tonight and look to continue its dominance of Dayton Schools. Taft, has trounced all comers in the SWOPL and tonight will look to hold up Cincy as the premiere city school. Led by a experienced coaching staff and stars on the offense, this will be a great test for the Wolverines, who have had a breakout season up to date.

Can the Wolverines rise up to the challenge and move 1 step closer to a playoff appearance?

Springboro (6-2)       @ Northmont (4-4)   In a game which could be the highest scoring game of the night, can Springboro continue its playoff hopes in a big game @ Northmont? The Bolts have played well at home, and the Boro have been in their share of close games. A slip at Northmont and the Panthers could be sitting on the outs of the playoffs.


C-J         (5-3)       @   Badin  (3-5)   Chaminade fought off a 0-2 start and now find themselves with a real chance to make the playoffs. Win on the road at a beatable Badin and then have Alter at home? Sounds like the playoffs already for the Eagles.


Xenia  (2-6)          @ Trotwood  (7-1)  Trotwood shouldn't have much problems in this game, considering Xenia hasn't been very impressive this season. However, we all know the vaunted matchup in week 10 between the Rams and Wayne, so will Trotwood focus on the task tonight, with bad weather and a team with no business of being in the game? Or will Xenia find a way to shock the Rams tonight?


Thurgood (3-5)      @  Meadowdale  (3-5)  (Saturday)  In a game that will dictate 4th place in the tough City League this year, which team will get it done? In losses, both teams haven't looked great, but in the wins they have demonstrated the ability to dominate. Which coach will get his troops to answer the bell in a "Rivalry Matchup?"
Thurgood New Coach Brian Carter or Lions coach John Wortham?

SpoonFed Recap: How did Top 10 football teams in Southwest Ohio do last weekend? (Week 7)

Here's out Top 10 Teams and how they fared this weekend:

Top 5 Teams (Division 1-3)

Wayne  2 way Star player Matt Wilcox on Dayton HS Sports Show

(1) Wayne      6-0-1     D-1 -    Wayne trounced Fairmont 35-0 as they moved into a
National Top 25 Ranking; Matt Wilcox shined on D and the offense was efficient in the win. If the Warriors can get it done against Springfield and Trotwood the last two weeks, they could very well be hosting the regionals.


(2) Trotwood   7-1      D-3 -    Trotwood rolled over another GWOC opponent as they put 50 on Stebbins, and stay in good playoff position. One more win and the Rams should be in the playoffs.

(3) Troy           7-1      D-2  -    Troy continued its great play with a easy win  which the D shut Sidney down. The Trojans could clinch a spot with another win, the way it looks.

(4) Springboro         6-2   D-1 -  Springboro erupted for 66 as the Panthers marched all over the field on Fairborn. the win keeps the Boro in good playoff shape providing they finish strong.

(5)  Miamisburg       6-2   D-1 -   The Burg silenced some critics and pulled out a can on Lebanon 55-20.  The win pushes Miamisburg into a playoff spot if they handle business late in the season.    


Next 5:  Lebanon  6-2; Springfield  6-2; Franklin  8-0; St. Marys 8-0; Wilmington 7-1; 
             Belmont 6-2



Top 5 Teams  (Division 4-7):

 (1) Alter                           8-0    D-4 -    Alter shut out Hamilton Badin 48-0, and  looks to be headed to a deep run come playoff time.

(2) Clinton Massie            7-1    D-4 -    Massie has been dominant despite the loss to Alter.

(3) Dunbar                        7-1    D-4  -   Dunbar punished another cincy team, and now will have back to back tests (Cin Taft, Belmont) which could make or break season.

(4) Marion Local               7-1    D-6 -  Marion handled business and stays in top 5 and in playoff shape.

(5)  Coldwater                   7-1    D-5-   The former champs will look to gear up for the postseason.       


Next 5:     Mechanicsburg (8-0); St. Henry (5-2); Valley View (6-2); Chaminade Julienne (5-3) Covington (8-0)

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.

Ponitz ruins Meadowdale homecoming; "The Boro" squeaks by The Burg"; "Blue" Smith leads Wayne; Trotwood cruises; Springfield wins big battle

Here's the recap on what happened in Week 7 of HS sports in the Miami Valley:

L'Christian "Blue" Smith scores one of his 2 Long TD's  vs Creek

(1) The "Boro" shocks the "Burg" - 
Springboro scored with 2 seconds left in the game, and in dramatic fashion, scored on a 2-point conversion to defeat Miamisburg 39-38. The win puts Springboro at 5-2 & drops Miamisburg to 5-2. Both are in position to make the playoffs.

Springboro star receiver headed for paydirt vs Miamisburg

(2) Ponitz ruins Meadowdale homecoming, blanks Lions - Ponitz  handled  business and shut out Meadowdale 31-0  @ Welcome Stadium Friday night. It was the Lions homecoming,  but it was all Ponitz all night as they run their record to 4-3 while Meadowdale falls to 2-5. Pointz star RB Jamil Freeman led the way for the Panthers.

(3) "Blue" Smith shines vs Beavercreek  - Star WR L'Christian  "Blue" Smith scored on 2 long TDS early in the game and Wayne cruised past Beavercreek 44-0. Wayne now rolls to 6-0-1 while Beavercreek falls to 3-4. Once Smith entered the zone, there was no turning back for the Warriors.


(4) Dunbar wins big on the road - Dunbar got a much needed road victory in Cincy as they defeated Cincy Western Hills 50-8. Tavion Thomas led the attack with another great game (100+ rushing, 2 TDs), and the defense, led by star LB Antwuan Johnson's Interception.

Star LB Antwuan Johnson is the unquestioned leader of a stingy Wolverines D unit.

Dunbar is now 6-1 on the season, their best record in over 20 years. Dunbar will face Thurgood in a big rivalry game this week.


(5) C-J wins 4th in 5 games - Chaminade continues its hot play with a blowout win over Roger Bacon. The Eagles are now 4-3 on the season, their first time over .500 after starting slow.

C-J celebrates TD vs Roger Bacon as they get over .500 mark

(6) Springfield win huge road game @ Northmont
 The Wildcats  held off a pesky Bolts team, in which Northmont scored 23 straight points but still lost 35-29.  Springfield now moves to 5-2, while Northmont falls to 3-4.

Springfield celebrates after scoring @ Northmont 

(7) Trotwood rolls again for 6th straight - 
The Rams won their 6th straight game as they ran past Fairborn 49-6. The Rams have won their 6th straight and are definitely hitting a playoff stride as we get close to the playoffs. Star RB Raveion Hargrove and that vaunted Rams D led the way.


(8) Thurgood  shuts out Hughes -
 Thurgood went to Cincy and garnered their 3rd win of the season as they blanked Cincy Hughes 40-0.  The win puts Thurgood at 2-1 in the SWOPL. They have a huge match-up this week vs Dunbar. The Cougars have won 3 of their last 5 games and have played well recently.

Who are the Top 10 Teams in the Miami Valley? (Spoon-Fed Edition)

Heres our first High School Football Ranking of 2016

(D1-3) Top 10  Teams

Wayne Train 2-way star Matt Wilcox 

(1) Wayne (5-0-1)  
Wayne Train seems to be on another level, and the focus looks razor sharp as they go for the big school (D-1) Championship.  With Senior two-way star Matt Wilcox leading the way, the Warriors are primed for another championship run.



(2) Miamisburg (5-1) 
 The Burg has the weapons on offense and defense to get it done, and their coach will keep them focused. They also have a flair for the spectacular, which could be due to their explosive offense or their fiery coach.


(3) Trotwood  (5-1) 
 The Rams seem to be clicking on all cylinders and could be headed for a deep run with two potent RBs at the helm. Since the setback to Troy the Rams have rolled off 5 straight. We know what coach Graham can do come playoff time.


(4) Troy  (5-1)   The Trojans bounced back in a major way, and showed that they could be headed for a playoff berth this season. The only loss was a last second shocker to Miamisburg at home.

(5) Lebanon (4-2) The Warriors stopped Springfield and Northmont in consecutive weeks to move into 5 spot. Can they continue their hot play?



Next 5 :  Springboro (4-2), Springfield (4-2),  Franklin (6-0), Northmont (3-3), St. Mary's 6-0 ; Belmont (5-2) 



D4 -7 Rankings

(1) Alter   (6-0) D-4 -  The Knights have rolled over almost every opponent this season;  They are currently 2nd in the OHSAA state poll and could make another Stat trip.

(2) Coldwater  (6-0)  D-5  Have been dominant this season; Wil another trip to state be the end result?

(3) Dunbar   (5-1) D-4 The Wolverines boast a team with a high skill set, and seems to be gelling at the right time. Can the Wolverines do the little things to make a deep run?

(4) Marion Local  (5-1) D-6 Marion Local once again have a team that could be playing into December.

(5) Clinton- Massie (5-1) D-4 Massie have played well this year, and aside from the one blemish, look to be headed towards a playoff run.



Next 5:  St. Henry  (4-2) D-6; Valley View 5-1 D-4; Versailles (3-3) ;  Fort Recovery (4-2) D-7; Covington (6-0) D-7

Wayne throttles Centerville; Dunbar D dominates; Trotwood wins 5th straight; Alter drops 65 on Roger Bacon

Heres the Week 6 Results from HS Football in Southwest Ohio

Dunbar D led by Antwuan Johnson (2), Seth Arnold (5), & JoJo Scates (6) battles Meadowdale

Wayne shuts down Elks on Homecoming

 Wayne shuts down  Cent. erville  as they scored 24 points in the 1st quarter with defense, and budding star QB Rashad McKee threw 2 TD passes- one to Ray James and L'Christian "Blue"Smith as the Warriors trounced the host Elks. Kenyon Byrd had a Pick 6 for the WayneTrain.

The Warriors are 2nd in the state in D-1, and are 5-0-1, while Centerville falls to 3-3.

Trotwood puts up 66 in winning 4th straight  

 The Rams star RB Raveion Hargrove made his return known from the start, as he took his first attempt and ran 63 yards for the score against West Carrollton. The Pirates actually tied it at 6, but the Rams would put up 60 straight unanswered points in the victory. Hargrove ended up with 160+ yards and 3 TDs as the Rams (5-1) won their 5th straight game. The Pirates fall to 1-5.

Dunbar D shuts out Meadowdale

Dunbar junior 2 way star Jo Jo Scates ran back the kickoff against the Lions, and the Wolverines never looked back as they halted Meadowdale's 2 game winning streak by winning 46-0. The Wolverines D was on point as the Lions could not get in the end zone. Dunbar also had TD's from WR Chris Jackson & RB Tavion Thomas, and rising junior LB Seth Arnold had a pick 6 for the 5-1 Wolverines. Meadowdale falls to 2-4.

Springfield dumps Xenia

 Xenia was no match for the Wildcats, who were led by RB Shane Ramey's TD Runs (64, 54, & 14) as they jumped out to a 13-0 lead en route to a 40-18 win. Star player Danny Davis scored twice as well, and the Wildcats now move to 4-2 while Xenia falls to 2-4.

C-J wins 3rd straight 

 C-J won a big conference game as they defeated Purcell Marian 28-21. Once 0-3, the Eagles have regrouped and now have won 3 straight and are brimming with confidence.

Thurgood falls to Taft

Cincy Taft, a top team in the SWOPL last year, shut down Thurgood & their winning streak as Taft won 47-7. Taft is 2-0 in the conference and could be setting up a huge matchup vs Dunbar down the road

2nd Ranked Alter posts 65 on Roger Bacon

  Alter continues its torrid play with scoring a robust 65 on Cincy Roger Bacon. Alter is 2nd in the state and has risen every week in the OHSAA Standings.

Troy bounces back

 The Troy Trojans bounced back from a tough loss to get a big win vs Tippecanoe. Troy, was undefeated until Miamisburg scored late to halt the winning streak. Troy won 35-7 and is now 5-1.

Belmont wins epic battle 54-41; Dunbar Coach suspended for scoring too much? New Hire

With all the hoopla surrounding this week, it surely will be a interesting weekend to say the least.

Belmont survives shootout, defeats Ponitz (Thursday Night Game) 

QB Xavier Henry speeding to the end zone

The Bison was very aware of how Ponitz felt coming into the game last night.
 The Panthers made no bones about being better than Belmont, and they wanted to prove it this season.
   After Thursday night, it's safe to say the Bison were ready & withstood every challenge the Panthers brought their way, en route to a 54-41 win @ Welcome Stadium.
 Every time the Panthers scored, the Bison responded.
  While Panthers RB Jamil Freeman was good in his own right, Elijah Malcolm  was unstoppable, and has vaulted his name into the SWOPL Player of the Year list with a great performance - especially in the 4th quarter, when Belmont needed it most.

Belmont now moves to 4-2, while Ponitz suffered it's 3rd loss of the season (3-3).
Coach White felt like his boys showed poise, perseverance, and a toughness he hadn't seen this year. Not to mention this turning into a "Rivalry Game" after all the talking.



Dunbar Coach suspended 1 game after "Running up the Score"

Wolverines coach and staff during the game

 Dunbar Wolverines coach Darran Powell has been suspended 1 game for "Running up the score" last week in the Cincy Schroeder game.

He is awaiting appeal for tonight's game vs Meadowdale.
  This was handed down earlier this week by the DPS Committee & AD Mark Baker.
 
While 78 points is a lot, there is a lot of speculation of why he was suspended.
 Let's go back before we head forward real quick.

The Dayton Public League has been mediocre at best in football for the last 20-30 years. The only team to make it to state was Earl White led Thurgood Marshall in the last 50 years.

Teams in the GWOC, GCL, and other top leagues had salivated over the chance to play city schools yeara ago.
Well, over the last couple years the addition of new coaches, top players, and a real push by the community and media has shown that City League football is on the rise. And in this era,  there is a running clock if a rout is in effect (30 point lead after halftime) to prevent ridiculous blowouts.

But in sports it happens.  It happened last year, when Belmont posted 72 on Aiken. And no word on a suspension.

Why not?

So why the suspension now on a team that is clearly having its best season in over 15 years?

  When u watch the Wolverines, you can see that the is talent all over the place.
And last year, the Wolverines lost a few games they should have won; combine that with a hungry team, a coaching staff who knows how to win and has instilled a winning mentality, and you get these results sometimes.
No other High School team that has ever went ham on a city league team has ever suspended a coach.
Ever.

So why now?
The facts:  Dunbar scored 50 points in the first half. And they could have scored more.

They played 2nd and 3rd stringers in the entire 2nd half. And still scored 28 points. On a running clock no less.

Every week somebody gets trounced in the Miami Valley  where the game is embarrassing.

That's the life of sports. DEAL WITH IT.
Either you win or lose. And the Wolverines lost with this decision.

So is it the Wolverines fault that they scored 78, or is it Schroeder fault for not stopping them?

Should be a interesting night at Welcome Stadium as the Wolverines take on the Lions. In what is a huge rivalry no less.


 
 NEW Addition to Team as Weatherspoon joins DHSS 

Coach Weatherspoon set to join staff

In a new turn of events, Thurgood Baseball Coach Deon Weatherspoon  has decided to join the Dayton HS Sports staff.
Weatherspoon, who coaches at Thurgood, will assist with weekly show, website, & will also assist with reporting on upcoming events and games.

"SPOON" as he is affectionately known for, will be joining the staff starting next week.