Senior-laden Fairmont shuts down Alter
Xenia, Trotwood, Wayne also open with victories.
It’s no surprise that Fairmont leaned on its defense to land an impressive 12-6 defeat of visiting Alter in a Week 1 high school football opener on Thursday night. Fairmont is loaded with three-year starting seniors.
The Firebirds benefited from four Knights turnovers: two interceptions and as many fumble recoveries. Alter was limited to two field goals.
“Our defense, we put them in really bad spots all night and they came up with play after play,” Fairmont coach Dave Miller said. “Those kids responded and that’s a heck of an (Alter) offense. Just a great job by our guys.”
Here’s some other Week 1 observations:
■ The Greater Western Ohio Conference was 8-10 in non-conference matchups. Xenia overwhelmed host Beavercreek 41-14 in the Backyard Battle XVIII. That game does not count as a GWOC crossover contest.
Defending Division III state champion Trotwood-Madison posted an impressive opening win. Scoreless in the first half, Kenyon Sneed ran 41 yards for a touchdown and Ke’shawn Huguely added a 3-yard scoring run with 5:06 left in a 13-3 defeat of host Cincinnati Winton Woods.
That was the marquee matchup of the season-long Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. The Rams pushed their two-season win streak to 16 games. Winton Woods was the D-II state runner-up last season.
Trotwood has another intriguing Week 2 matchup against visiting Chicago Simeon Career Academy. Simeon is a nationally renowned public school that has produced scores of outstanding collegiate and NBA basketball players.
Top-ranked Northmont was just as impressive, landing a 56-13 knockout of host Lima Senior. Thunderbolts senior quarterback Miles Johnson had four touchdown passes and threw for 200 yards. Justin Golson had six catches for 111 yards and three scores.
Northmont (1-0) will host Fairmont (1-0) in a great GWOC crossover Week 2 showdown.
Wayne raced to a 42-0 halftime lead and crushed visiting Austin-East Magnet of Knoxville, Tenn., 56-20. Warriors senior QB Rashad McKee completed 12-of-16 passes for 122 yards and also rushed for 74 yards in limited play.
It was the first time the teams had played and was part of the Backyard Blitz by Flyin’ to the Hoop creator Eric Horstman. Dunbar and its new coach Corey Freed were scheduled to play Columbus DeSales in the other Blitz game Saturday night at Wayne.
■ The Southwestern Buckeye League was hit hard, going 4-8 against non-league teams. Middletown Madison rolled to an impressive 22-0 defeat of host Franklin in what doesn’t count as a SWBL crossover game. Madison was a D-V state semifinalist last season.
Northridge was an impressive loser, falling 21-18 at Bethel. The Polar Bears, just 1-9 last season, led 18-7 at halftime but couldn’t land the upset. Bethel, of the Cross County Conference, was 9-2 last season.
■ No surprise in Midwest Athletic Conference teams going 7-3. All MAC teams will play non-conference games in Week 2, then play eight straight weeks of MAC contests.
Two-time defending D-VI state champion Marion Local extended its three-season win streak to 28 with a 42-0 win at Woodlan (Ind.).
Now hear this: “We’ve got to have tunnel vision and focus on the small goals. That’s what wins you championships.” — Fairmont senior Jesse Deglow, who scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard dive with 14.5 seconds left to beat Alter.
Week 2 best bets: Wayne will host upstart Columbus Christians of Faith Academy. The Ironmen (0-2) are in their first season and play a daunting schedule of Ohio and outof-state powers. COF also is not an Ohio High School Athletic Association member, which means no computer points are available for Wayne should it win.
■ Coldwater (1-0) hosts Clinton-Massie (1-0). It’s the second straight season for these mid-sized state heavyweights to play. Massie won 24-14 last year and was the D-IV state runner-up.
■ Thursday’s Bellefontaine (0-1) at Sidney (0-1) game will be televised live by ABC 22/ FOX 45 as part of its Thursday Night Lights series.