GREENE COUNTY — The 17th Xenia versus Beavercreek high school “Backyard Battle” football game will take place on at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 at Doug Adams Stadium on Veterans Field in Xenia.

There will be an awards presentation after the game. The Walter G. Sellers Memorial Leadership Award (given to the two outstanding senior players on the field, the classroom and their community), Offensive Player of the Game, Defensive Player of the Game, Scout Player of the Week, and Special Teams Player of the Game awards will be presented.

The game will be the 2017 regular season opener for both teams.

This year, the awards are sponsored by the Speed Zone Carryout on 1983 Bellbrook Ave. in Xenia. The mayors of the two communities — Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless and Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone — will be on hand to present the traveling trophy to the winning team.

Beavercreek claimed its second straight win over Xenia last season in a 37-20 home win. The series stands at 8-7 with the series lead held by Beavercreek.

Oddly enough, the home team has won the Beavercreek-Xenia matchup just once (last season) in the seven head-to-head meetings since 2009. The teams did not play each other in 2013 or 2014.

In a photo taken from the 2015 Backyard Battle when the game was last held in Xenia, Beavercreek City Councilman Brian Jarvis (center) holds the Backyard Battle Trophy. He’s joined by Beavercreek Kiwanis President Jason Hallmark, Beavercreek Rotary President Dick Gould, Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless, Rev. Gloria Dillon of Glory Ministries Church-Xenia, and several Xenia/Beavercreek High School Student Council Members.

https://www.fairborndailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/08/web1_BackyardBattlePhoto_PS.jpgIn a photo taken from the 2015 Backyard Battle when the game was last held in Xenia, Beavercreek City Councilman Brian Jarvis (center) holds the Backyard Battle Trophy. He’s joined by Beavercreek Kiwanis President Jason Hallmark, Beavercreek Rotary President Dick Gould, Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless, Rev. Gloria Dillon of Glory Ministries Church-Xenia, and several Xenia/Beavercreek High School Student Council Members.