Utica starts with win, comes back to beat Centerburg 26-19
Utica equaled its win output from a year ago. They started the season strong by scoring late in the fourth to upend Centerburg 26-19 in the season opener for both teams on Aug. 19. Centerburg sprinted to a 9-0 lead on a 6-yard run by Tyler Johnson and a 23-yard field goal by Dominic Vargo in the second quarter. With 1:05 left in the half, Utica found pay dirt on a 73-yard bomb from Zach Heckman to Gavin Chinn. Utica took a 12-9 lead in the third on Tyler Collura’s 3-yard run at the 2:05 mark. The Trojans tied it 12-12 on a 32-yard field goal by Vargo with 4:22 left. Each team scored again before the quarter ended, with Utica finding the end zone on a Heckman-to-Hayden Piper pass play of 82 yards and a Johnson run of five yards for Centerburg to knot the score at 19-19. Utica won it with 1:55 left in the game on a 5-yard run by Heckman.
Centerburg controlled the ground game with a 247-151-yard advantage, but Utica owned the air 197-89. For the game, Utica outgained Centerburg 348-336. The Trojans ran 73 plays and made 21 first downs to 48 plays and 12 first downs for the Redskins. Top performances included Utica’s Heckman completing 8 of 10 passes for 197 yards and 2 TDs, Justin Giffin gaining 73 yards on 11 carries, and Chinn catching three passes for 103 yards. On defense, Collura made 12 solo tackles. For the Trojans, Johnson completed 9 of 24 for 89 yards passing and gained 165 yards on 33 carries rushing, with Jess Rings hauling down seven receptions for 81 yards.
Centerburg looked for their first win Friday night at Grandview Heights against the Bobcats (1-0), who beat Centennial 46-13. Utica looked to remain undefeated as they played Friday vs. Loudonville, 0-1 following the Redbirds’ 49-14 loss to Crestview.
Danville’s strong second half tops Worthington Christian 33-17
Danville took a 6-0 first-quarter lead and held a slim 19-17 lead at halftime. They ran off 14 unanswered points in the second half for a 33-17 win over Worthington Christian on Aug. 19 in the season opener for both teams. The visiting Blue Devils were led by Max Payne, who led the ground attack with 94 yards on 10 carries. He made his presence felt on defense with two TFLs (tackles for loss) and a sack. Payne also boomed a 72-yard punt and converted three PATs. Quarterback Walker Weckesser was 7-for-14 for 79 yards in the air and 73 yards on 10 carries rushing. Five Blue Devils caught passes, with Kaiden Colopy hauling in three receptions for 19 yards.
Danville played Bucyrus Friday night in their second game of the season. The Redmen beat Mississinawa Valley 33-20 in their home opener last week.
East Knox takes early lead, beats Northridge 26-13
Visiting East Knox jumped out to a 20-7 first-quarter lead and led 20-13 at the half. They added 7 points in the third to coast to a 27-13 win over host Northridge Johnstown on Aug. 19 in their first game of the season.
Running 63 plays to 47 for the Vikings, the Bulldogs outgained the Vikes 409-180. EK was paced by quarterback Bracen Davis, who was 14 of 22 passing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Steinmetz caught seven passes for 147 yards and a score; he also caught one on defense for an INT. Cole Delaughder carried 17 times for 150 yards and a TD to lead the Bulldogs on the ground. Blake Elliott was a force on defense with 10 tackles, including one TFL, and Jacob Neighbarger recorded two sacks. Delaughder punted twice for 87 yards.
The Bulldogs played their second game of the season Friday night, hosting the Crestview Cougars (1-0), who beat Loudonville 49-14 in their opener.
Fairbanks outmuscles Cardington-Lincoln 43-6
In game one of the season for Cardington-Lincoln, the Pirates were held to minus-16 yards passing as the Fairbanks Panthers ran away with a 43-6 win on Aug. 19. The Pirates were down 7-0 in the first and got close with a 96-yard TD scamper by Kaiden Beach to make it 7-6 with 4:34 left. From there on, it was all Panthers.
The Panthers outgained the Pirates 367 to 176 and notched 19 first downs on 53 plays to 5 firsts on 33 plays for C-L. Beach led the Pirates on the ground with 153 yards on 12 carries. Wyatt Denney was tough on defense, finishing with 9 solo tackles and 1 TFL.
Cardington headed to Elgin on Friday for a game against the Comets (0-1) after their 45-0 loss to Northmor.
