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CJ was at its high-end best, getting another top performance from junior quarterback Ryan Minor, junior running back Quincy Johnson and Wilcox. It was a Week 3 matchup of unbeaten squads and the first time the teams had played.
CJ, a Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North contender, had scored 40-plus points in blitzing non-league foes Piqua and Cincinnati Woodward. Greenville, its last season in the Greater Western Ohio Conference American North, did the same to Eaton and Stebbins.
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CJ quickly asserted itself. Johnson and Wilcox each scored two first-quarter touchdowns. Johnson had scoring runs of 41 and 15 yards. Wilcox had touchdown catches of 46 and 7 yards from Minor and the rout was on. The Eagles scored 28 points in the first quarter and led 48-3 at halftime.
“We had a game plan to jump on them as soon as we could,” Eagles coach Marcus Colvin said. “Sometimes you plan things and it goes right and this went right for us.”
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Minor, a junior transfer from Stebbins, completed 16 of 22 passes for 250 yards and four scores. Johnson had 126 yards rushing and those two touchdowns. Wilcox had five catches for 118 yards and two scores. He also had three kickoff returns for 87 yards, two punt returns for 11 yards and accounted for 216 yards of offense.
“CJ got out on us quick and they were able to rally on that,” Greenville coach Aaron Shaffer said. “We’ve got to be able to answer better in those situations. Coach Colvin and those kids, they’ve got a good thing going here. There’s Division I talent all over the field on their side of the ball.”
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Greenville running back Landon Eldridge is making the most of his senior season. Out much of his sophomore year with injury and all last season with another injury, he had 163 yards rushing and scored twice. He leads the GWOC in rushing (559 yards and 10 touchdowns).
“Obviously, he’s playing well now and we’re excited for him and hopefully we can build around him a little bit and move forward,” said Shaffer.
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CJ begins GCL North play with a crossover game against visiting Cincinnati Purcell Marian in Week 4.
“I love this team,” said Colvin. “A lot of playmakers and a lot of young guys who are stepping up as well.”
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Greenville is at resurgent Xenia. Despite the lopsided score at CJ, Greenville appears to have the makings of a GWOC American North contender.
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Next season Greenville will join nine other American North teams in leaving the GWOC and forming a revived Miami Valley League.
“(CJ was) a good challenge for us and we’ll see if we can regroup,” said Shaffer.
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