GREENE COUNTY — Beavercreek has earned the respect of the rest of Greene County with its three consecutive wins over Xenia, Carroll and Fairborn. Now the top-ranked team in the county is out to earn similar respect in the Greater Western Ohio Conference … and maybe in the state polls.
Undefeated Beavercreek has outscored its opponents 127 – 40, for a positive points differential of +87. Just a Marcella Cash extra point better than the county’s other undefeated program, the Greeneview Rams who are at +86.
What probably frustrates the Beavers, however, is how they were treated in the season’s first Associated Press poll over the weekend. Greeneview is a perennial Division V power, and they garnered enough votes to come in ranked No. 12 in Division V. Their recent run of postseason trips has earned them a good reputation and the respect of us media pundits who vote in the AP polls.
Beavercreek, on the other hand, doesn’t have that reputation just yet. But with the way they’ve started this season, they may be earning it. Three other Greater Western Ohio Conference programs — surprisingly undefeated Kettering Fairmont and perennial Division I powers Centerville and Huber Heights Wayne — each earned votes in the first Division I AP poll of the year.
Undefeated Beavercreek did not get one.
These next seven weeks of Division I football (after three strong weeks against D-II programs) will be telling for the Beavers. Their reputation can be earned a bit more on Thursday Sept. 14 when they host once-beaten Division I foe Lebanon .
THIS WEEK
Thursday, Sept. 14
Lebanon at Beavercreek, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15
Bellbrook at Brookville, 7 p.m.
Carroll at Kettering Alter, 7 p.m.
Fairborn at Troy, 7 p.m.
Greeneview at Mechanicsburg, 7 p.m.
Sidney at Xenia, 7 p.m.
West Jefferson at Cedarville, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK’S SCORES
Thursday, Sept. 7
Bellbrook 35, Tecumseh 19
Friday, Sept. 8
Sidney 35, Carroll 7
West Liberty-Salem 55, Cedarville 0
Greeneview 41, Fairbanks 14
Beavercreek 48, Fairborn 14
Alter 42, Xenia 19
AREA RANKINGS
1. Beavercreek (3-0) +87
2. Greeneview (3-0) +86
3. Bellbrook (2-1) +29
4. Fairborn (1-2) -28
5. Carroll (1-2) -43
6. Xenia (0-3) -74
7. Cedarville (0-3) -132
TOP PERFORMERS
Kaden Wenger, Running Back/Linebacker, Beavercreek — Wenger turned in his second 200-plus yard rushing performance in Friday’s win over Fairborn. Wenger gained 224 yards on 26 carries and scored two TDs. He now has 486 yards gained this season.
Dawson Blakely, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, Fairborn — The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Skyhawks senior recorded 12 tackles in the loss to Beavercreek to lead Fairborn.
Bryce Neuse, Running Back/Linebacker, Beavercreek — The senior Beaver returned two interceptions for touchdowns on Friday. Neuse now has three picks in his last two games. He’s tied for the Greater Western Ohio Conference lead with those three.
Hasan Akinyele, Linebacker, Xenia — A 6-1, 170-pound hard-hitting Xenia Buccaneer senior, Akinyele recorded a dozen tackles in the loss to Kettering Alter. He now ranks fourth in the GWOC in tackles with 36.
Alex Mumy, Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman, Bellbrook — The 6-foot, 245-pound Bellbrook Golden Eagle now has recovered four fumbles thus far in three games, and has forced three. He leads the Southwestern Buckeye League with four, just ahead of a Valley View player and Bellbrook teammate Drew Ashurst who each have two.
Nick Clevenger, Quarterback, Greeneview — Clevenger was solid on the ground and in the air in Friday’s home win over Milford Center Fairbanks. He scored twice on the ground (12 carries, 149 yards), then two of his three completions (3 of 9 for 84 yards) also went for touchdowns.
Clay Payton & Griffin Mangan, Defense, Greeneview — Payton and Mangan both recorded 11 tackles in Greeneview’s win over Fairbanks.
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