Centerville looking for first win against unbeaten Springfield

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Unbeaten Springfield (3-0) has a chance to do what few Wildcats teams have accomplished, including North and South: knock Centerville out of high school football playoff contention.

It’s only Week 4, but that likely would be the result should Springfield keep its win streak intact at Centerville (0-3) on Friday night. It’ll be the Greater Western Ohio Conference National East opener for both teams.

»PHOTOS: Alter at Centerville, Week 3

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Springfield has had three close wins over visiting Lancaster and road wins at Fairfield and Hudson by a combined 13 points. However, Lancaster and Hudson are both 0-3, as is Centerville. The defeat of Fairfield (2-1) was enough to rocket Springfield among the top four teams in the unofficial Division I, Region 3 computer rankings.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association will release its first computer rankings on Tuesday following Week 4 games.

Freshman QB Chase Harrison (16) and teammates celebrate his TD. Alter defeated host Centerville 10-7 in a Week 3 high school football game on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

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Centerville, the defending GWOC National East champ, would likely have to win out to make a return to the D-I, Region 3 playoffs. Last season the Elks (10-2) were the only area D-I team to post an opening playoff win. Centerville lost 10-7 to visiting Alter (2-1) in the final 90 seconds last week.

»RELATED: Week 4 football schedule

»SURPRISE: Deployed father celebrates with Eagles QB

• Wayne (2-1) renews a GWOC crossover rivalry at undefeated Miamisburg (3-0). If that sounds familiar it should: Wayne has defeated unbeaten Miamisburg teams in midseason matchups each of the last four seasons.

The Warriors have yet to play an area team and are coming off a 47-28 loss to three-time defending state champ Akron Hoban. Miamisburg (122) is second only to Wayne (126) in most points scored by a GWOC team.

Centerville’s Trevion Feazell (with ball). Alter defeated host Centerville 10-7 in a Week 3 game. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

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Vikings coach Steve Channell posted his 200th career win in last week’s 49-14 blowout at Loveland. He began his career by making Edgewood into a mid-sized state power.

»RELATED: “Epic” Alter defeat of Centeville

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• Springboro (1-2) also is likely fighting for its D-I, Region 3 playoff fate against visiting Fairmont (2-1). The hard-luck Panthers have lost to Mason in the opener and at Gahanna Lincoln in Week 3 by a combined seven points.

»PHOTOS: Greenville at CJ, Week 3 football

• The real winner of Minster (3-0) at Coldwater (3-0) in a pairing of Midwest Athletic Conference powers will be whoever takes the 50/50 jackpot home. Cavalier Stadium should be rocking and packed, and here’s why.

Coldwater was ranked No. 1 in D-VI in the debut of the Associated Press state polls this week and Minster No. 1 in D-VII. Minster’s last regular-season defeat of Coldwater was in Week 10 of the 2011 season, 22-6.

The Marion Local at Coldwater games have paid off close to $15,000 in 50/50 raffles the last several seasons.

Springfield junior Xzerious Stinnett (11) and senior Zack Breslin (3). Springfield defeated host Hudson 16-10 in a Week 3 high school football game on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. K.M. KLEMENCIC / CONTRIBUTED

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»PHOTOS: Bellefontaine at Sidney, Week 2 football

»RELATED: Coldwater, MAC rivals, rally around downed Cavalier

• Top-ranked Northmont (3-0) was scheduled to play at Butler (2-1) in a GWOC crossover game on Thursday night. Butler, guided by first-year coach John Puckett, had two straight wins following an opening loss.

»RELATED: Week 3 football power rankings

»PHOTOS: Piqua at CJ, Week 1 football

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