CENTERVILLE — Beavercreek lost to Greater Western Ohio Conference rival Centerville in a close fight 35-28, Friday night at Centerville.
The Beavers recovered an onside kick on the opening kickoff and controlled the ball for most of the first half. Tim Bradshaw had 184 yards in the first half for the Beavers, who took a 21-14 lead into halftime.
Bradshaw finished with 260 yards running on 38 carries for Beavercreek with two touchdowns. Hunter Maloney had 105 yards rushing on 25 carries.
Centerville returned the favor and opened up the second half recovering an onside kick. The Elks’ offense won the second half, outscoring Beavercreek 21-7.
“We did what we wanted to do as far as possessing the ball, but you can’t out and give up the onside kick. We had the opportunity, up seven, to go up 14,” said Beavercreek coach Nic Black. “We talk about it all the time, but we didn’t execute that phase right there. They can’t come out and get an onside kick when we’re up seven and we’re going to go drive and go up 14. That changes the entire dynamics of the game.”
The Elks were able to stay in the game with their ability to strike quick. Beavercreek had 487 total yards compared to Centerville’s 295. They also dominated in time of possession, 36:07 to 11:53.
Centerville coach Rodney Roberts said his team was prepared for a fight against Beavercreek.
“They’re a good team. You don’t get to 6-1 and not be a good team. I think the schedule that we play helps us in these types of games. Playing these tougher teams is a difference right now for us,” he said.
Centerville quarterback Jacob Harrison finished the game with 187 passing yards for the Elks on 9-for-15 passes. He threw for three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 44 yards and a touchdown. Harrison had a 30-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty, only to throw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Domenic Ashburn on the ensuing play.
Black said that defending Harrison wasn’t an easy task.
“It’s not defending their offense, it’s defending Jacob Harrison. Jacob Harrison beat us. …The kid’s a winner. He’s a fabulous player, and for the most part, outside an onside kick, he beat us with a little bit of help of guys catching the football.”
Ashburn caught two touchdown passes in the game; Tim Krapfel had one.
Beavercreek had a chance to tie the game with a drive that started with 5:45 remaining. The Elks stopped the Beavers on a 4-and-15 play from the Centerville 25-yard line. Maloney threw a pass in the endzone to tie the game, but it was intercepted.
The Elks held Beavercreek to one touchdown in the second half.
“We had a lot of things that were key. The big thing for us was the way some of our kids executed some of our adjustments we made in the second half defensively. That was the key to the game,” said Roberts.
Beavercreek (6-2, 2-1 GWOC Central) hosts Wayne at 7 p.m. next Friday at Beavercreek High School. The Elks (5-3, 3-0 GWOC Central) play Springfield at 7 p.m. Friday at Centerville High School.
Score by Quarters
Beavercreek 14 7 7 0 — 28
Centerville 7 7 14 7 — 35
Scoring Plays
B — Tim Bradshaw 1 run. Michael Chuck kick.
C — Jacob Harrison 2 run. Grant Tinnerman kick.
B — Bradshaw 4 run. Chuck kick.
C — Domenic Ashburn 35 pass from Harrison. TInnerman kick.
B — Stone Kincer 4 run. Chuck kick.
C — Ashburn 6 run. Tinnerman kick.
B — Justin Terrell 17 run. Chuck kick.
C — Tim Krapfel 28 pass from Harrison. Tinnerman kick.
C — Ashburn 36 pass from Harrison. Tinnerman kick.
