By Alex Sator

Week 2s MVP Podcast spectacular revolves around this week’s MVP Game of the Week: Colerain versus Cincinnati Elder.

Colerain is ranked No. 2 in Division I statewide in the current JJ Huddle Power Poll. Athletic Director, Dan Bolden (the brother of head coach Tom), is in the house to represent the Cardinals – who have moved their Homecoming up to Week 2 in order to capitalize on the situation.

Elder is ranked No. 8 in D-I statewide in the Power Poll, even though they have just a handful of players returning with any experience to speak of. Maybe they are ranked so highly because they dusted the defending D-II state champions – Winton Woods – in their opening game.

Head Coach, Doug Ramsey is on hand to answer our questions.

It’ll be a great game, and the MVP Podcast will once again be on hand to tape it for your viewing pleasure, and all in high definition. All of this, brought to you for free, courtesy of JJHuddle.com and Miami Valley Sports Magazine.

But wait there is more!

We’ll have Adam Adkins here to discuss the recent Valley View/Dayton Dunbar game as well as Tim Langvin to discuss the changing face of the Midwestern Athletic Conference as well as more on Ohio high school golf.

Listen up, people!

Finally we’ll salute the best football performances from Week 1 statewide.

All of this and more from your friends at the MVPpodcast.

Enjoy…

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

This week we continue to pick against and with the Dayton Daily News in its annual Pickers Contest.

After Week 1, I’m currently in second place. That Troy game surprised me. And I should have picked Stebbins. Regardless, 17 wins in the first week isn’t bad. In fact it’s good enough for second right now.

Hats off to Greg Billing. 18 wins is a good number.

Standings after Week 1
Greg Billing 18-2
Eric Frantz 17-3
Kyle Nagel 15-5
Marc Pendleton 13-7
Mike Hartsock 12-8
Brian Kollars 12-8

Eric Frantz’s Picks Week 2
Alter vs Cleveland East Tech: Alter
Bellbrook at Xenia: Bellbrook
Carroll at Beavercreek: Carroll
CJ at Marshall: CJ
Dunbar at Trotwood: Trotwood
Fairmont at Miamisburg: Fairmont
Mason at Centerville: Centerville
Oakwood at Milton-Union: Milton
Princeton at Northmont: Northmont
Wayne vs Canton McKinley: Canton McKinley
Eaton at St. Henry: St. Henry
Fairfield at Piqua: Piqua
Ponitz at Jefferson: Ponitz
Stebbins at Fairborn: Fairborn
Sycamore at Springboro: Springboro
Tippecanoe at Greenville: Tipp
Troy at Middletown: Middletown
Upper Arlington at Springfield: Springfield
Valley View at Indian Hill: Valley View
Vandalia at Tecumseh: Vandalia

CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS WEEK’S DDN PICKS

COLUMBUS DISPATCH PICKS

This week we’re also going to start picking the games in the Columbus Dispatch.
You want to pick them too? Click here.

Eric Frantz’s Columbus Dispatch Week 2 Picks:
Watterson vs Beechcroft: Watterson
Brookhaven vs Davidson: Davidson
St. Charles vs Eastmoor: Eastmoor
Dublin Scioto vs Marion-Franklin: Marion-Franklin
Hartley vs Columbus Academy: Hartley
Delaware Hayes vs Olentangy: Olentangy
Westerville Central vs New Albany: New Albany
Grove City vs Canal Winchester: Grove City
Olentangy Orange vs Olentangy Liberty: Liberty
Westerville South vs Dublin Coffman: Coffman

By Noel Neptune M.Ed., ATC/L

Concussions are a common occurrence in sports.  It is important for not only the certified athletic trainer, but also for coaches and parents to understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion and the impact it can have on the athletes.

Usually concussions are caused by a direct blow to the head, face, or neck, causing a change in the mental status of the athlete.  Symptoms of a concussion include but are not limited to headache, nausea, visual disturbances, balance problems, confusion, and ringing in the ears.

Athletes who experience any signs or symptoms of a concussion need to be immediately withdrawn from athletic participation for further evaluation.

Athletes who experience an increase in symptoms, loss of consciousness, seizures, irregular pupil reactions, or any changes in vital signs should be sent to the hospital immediately to rule out more severe injuries.

When sending a concussed athlete home, they should be given written instructions that should be explained to both the athlete and a parent/guardian, or roommate.  These instructions should instruct the athlete that they should not take any pain medication (to prevent masking of an increase in symptoms), if any signs or symptoms worsen they should go to the hospital, they should not drive or drink alcohol.

Under no circumstance should a concussed athlete participate in any physical activity until all signs and symptoms subside.

After Week 1, one No. 1 is already gone. Wow, that was a quick reign.

Here’s the Week 2 Rankings…

Division I
1. Centerville (1-0): The Elks built a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised past Lakota East 42-6. Now they get Mason – fresh off a loss to Trotwood-Madison – before the showdown everyone wants to see with Alter. Previous: 1

2. Wayne (0-1): The Warriors looked like state title contenders in the first half of their game with Cincinnati Moeller. But after building a 28-14 lead, Wayne lacked execution in the second half and lost 35-28 on a 1-yard TD run with five seconds left. Tough loss. But this is a tough team. Previous: 2

3. Northmont (0-1): The T-Bolts drew No. 2 ranked Colerain in their opener and got beat 35-6. Things don’t get easier this week with another GMC foe – Princeton – coming to town. Moeller is up the week after that. Previous: 3

4. Troy (1-0): Steve Nolan’s built a sturdy resume with teams that punish people by running the football and playing tough defense. Looks like he has another squad in that mold. The Trojans dominated CJ 23-0 in the opener. Now they get a HUGE road test at Middletown. Previous: NR

5. Springboro: Any road victory is big. A road victory where you come back from a 9-0 deficit? That’s even bigger. And that’s exactly what Springboro did at Fairfield last week to win 20-17. The Panthers get another test from a Cincy school this week with Sycamore heading north. Previous: NR

Division II
1. Trotwood-Madison (1-0): The Rams showed versatility last week in a 22-10 win over host Mason by scoring on defense (safety), special teams (punt return) and offense (two TD runs). This week there will tons of talent on the field when they host Dunbar. Previous: 1

2. Carroll (1-0): The Patriots got a kick out of senior Ryan Adams who blasted a 52-yard field goal in an opening 28-0 win over Xenia. The annual rivalry game with Beavercreek awaits. Previous: 2

3. Piqua (1-0): The Indians picked up a nice road win in their opener with a 28-21 come-from-behind victory over Lima Senior. Piqua trailed 14-7 at halftime. Junior QB Taylor Wellbaum came up big with 114 yards and two TDs on the ground. Previous: 5

4. Butler (1-0): The Aviators broke in their new stadium with a 54-0 rout of Greenville. Wow is right. Now they hit the road for a game at Tecumseh, which lost 15-12 to Fairborn. Previous: NR

5. Edgewood (0-1): The Cougars played Cincinnati Wyoming tough but couldn’t overcome four turnovers in a 21-7 loss. The Cowboys only outgained Edgewood 269-263 in total yards. Previous: 3

Division III
1. Tippecanoe (1-0): The Red Devils rolled on the road at Graham, winning 30-7 and racking up 458 yards of offense in the process (including 308 on the ground). Week 2 offers a trip to Greenville. Previous: 3

2. Eaton (1-0): Might not be long before the Eagles are No. 1 in this poll. Junior QB Cole French torched Oxford Talawanda for 390 yards and four TDs in a 30-0 win. A huge test looms this week with a trip north to St. Henry. Previous: NR

3. Monroe (1-0): The Hornets beat Meadowdale 17-0 and beat themselves with 11 penalties. We’ll know a lot more about Monroe after this week’s game against Hamilton Ross. Previous: 2

4. Chaminade-Julienne (0-1): So much for that No. 1 ranking. The Eagles may have lost to a better team in Troy, but they are better than the 23-0 loss implies. CJ getting shutout is a shock. Previous: 1

5. Kenton Ridge (1-0): The Cougars rang up 437 total yards in a 37-28 win over Northeastern. They had 331 on the ground. KR has all the tools on offense. Indian Lake gets the next chance at stopping them. Previous: NR

Division IV
1. Alter (1-0): So now the Knights have two QBs. That’s bad news for opponents. So too is the fact that Alter is riding a 31-game win streak on the field, a place where its also won 56 of its last 58 overall. This week’s opponent Cleveland East Tech will offer no resistance. The same can’t be said for week 3’s opposition – Centerville. Previous: 1

2. Clinton-Massie (1-0): Senior RB Jordy Scanlon probably could have set every state rushing record there was in the Falcons 55-0 win over Blanchester. Instead he settled for 221 yards and six TDs in the first half. Rival Waynesville comes to town this week. Previous: 2

3. Valley View (1-0): The Spartans didn’t kick-off until 10 p.m. Friday as part of a double-header at Welcome Stadium, but they didn’t mind. They nabbed a 25-12 victory over Dunbar in a contest that didn’t end until after midnight. A trip south to Indian Hill looms. Previous: 3

4. Ottawa-Glandorf (1-0): The Titans shutout Fostoria 48-0. Next up is the Western Buckeye League gauntlet, starting with Lima Shawnee whose coming off a loss to Marion Local. Previous: 4

5. Carlisle (1-0): The Indians dominated Franklin in recording a 28-0 shutout. A road trip to Brookville (a 47-27 winner over Tri-County North) this week is intriguing. Previous: 5

Division V
1. Anna (1-0): Listening to the final minutes of the Rockets 29-7 win over Lehman Catholic last Friday seemed to reinforce that this preseason pick was pretty good. Now Anna gets another chance to make a statement with Sherwood Fairview heading south on I-75 this Friday. Previous: 1

2. St. Henry (1-0): The Redskins went on the road and punded Marion Pleasant 48-13. It improved SH’s record in the series between traditional Ohio powers to 7-0. Sophomore QB Kyle Stahl played a part in five TDs. This week Eaton comes to town for one of the area’s biggest games. Previous: 4

3. Coldwater (0-1): The Cavs showed a lot of promise and heart in their 50-31 loss at Kenton. Sophomore QB Austin Bruns threw five TDs. It probably won’t be the only time he does that in his high school career. In fact, he could do it again Friday against Ben Logan. Previous: 3

4. Lima Central Catholic (0-1): The T-Birds got overwhelmed at Delphos St. John’s 34-14. A lot of teams will suffer that fate this season though. Might have been closer had senior RB Taylor Royster played. This week LCC gets Convoy Crestview which lost 40-18 to Parkway. Previous: 2

5. West Liberty-Salem (1-0): 58-7. That’s how bad the Tigers beat host Arcanum in the opener. This week a trip to Northwestern awaits. Previous: 5

Division VI
1. Delphos St. John’s (1-0): The Blue Jays had little trouble with D-V power Lima Central Catholic, winning 34-14. Uh oh is right. This week DSJ hits the road for a long road trip to Ashland County to face Jeromesville Hillsdale, a D-V playoff team from last year. The hardest part will be getting there. Previous: 1

2. Marion Local (1-0): The Flyers had a somewhat surprisingly easy time with D-III Lima Shanwee, winning 34-13. This week’s road game at D-VI Springfield Catholic Central will be a stiffer test, but one ML should pass. Previous: 2

3. Covington (1-0): Whew…That’s what they’re saying in Covington after the Buccs 22-21 come-from-behind win over New Bremen. Bethel comes to town this week. Previous: 4

4. Lehman Catholic (0-1): The Cavaliers didn’t expect to get beat that soundly by Anna (29-7). Expect a much improved performance this week against Minster. Previous: 3

5. Ansonia (1-0): The Tigers opened up with a 42-7 road win at Lima Perry. Now they hit the road for a game – a should-be win – at Twin Valley South. Previous: 5

The coverage continues.

Today we start our second season of the WHIO TV/MVP Magazine Tip-Off 7 Prep Insider.
Each week join WHIO Sports Director Mike Hartsock and MVP Sports Magazine Publisher and JJHuddle.com Managing Editor Eric Frantz as they talk about high school FOOTBALL and other news related to prep sports.

The following is the latest installment of a weekly segment that can be seen on WHIO TV Channel 7, JJHuddle.com, miamivalleysports.com and whiotv.com.

THIS WEEK’S INSIDER (CLICK HERE TO WATCH)

This Week’s Topics:

GWOC surprises and dissapointments?

Stebbins snaps a 30-game losing streak

Tipp overwhelms Graham…how good are the Red Devils?

Marion Local at Springfield Catholic Central…who wins?

Eaton at St. Henry…battle of young QBs

Is Troy for real? We’ll find out this week against Middletown

That and more…

LAST WEEK’S INSIDER (CLICK HERE TO WATCH)

Last Week’s Topics:

Is Dayton as deep as ever?

Is there a tougher region on Ohio than D-IV, Region 16?

How many Dayton Big Schools survive the regular season and reach the postseason?

Is there any division that Dayton is going to struggle in?

How many Dayton teams have a realistic chance of reaching Stark County?

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PREP INSIDER LIBRARY (MISSED A WEEK? CATCH IT HERE)

A look at the Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Week 2 Polls.

DIVISION I BOYS
1. Beavercreek 68
2. Centerville 62
3. Fairmont 51
4. Northmont  49
5. Wayne  36
6. Miamisburg 35
7. Springboro 30
8. Lebanon 23
9. Sidney 17
10. Butler  7

DIVISION II BOYS
1. Alter  74
2. Carroll  72
3. Tippecanoe 67
4. Bellbrook 49
5. Chaminade-Julienne 44
Oakwood 44
7. Lemon-Monroe 30
8. Greenon  18
9. Kenton Ridge  11
10. Shawnee (Springfield) 10
Benjamin Logan  10

DIVISION III BOYS
1. Springfield Catholic Central 126
2. Dayton Christian School 110
3. Bethel 104
4. Miami Valley School  89
5. Lehman Catholic  59
6. Yellow Springs 51
7. West Liberty-Salem 49
8. Franklin-Monroe  37
9. Botkins 30
10. Greeneview 25

DIVISION I GIRLS
1. Beavercreek 80
2. Centerville 63
3. Troy 53
4. Lebanon 44
5. Wayne 39
6. Carroll 32
7. Sidney 27
8. Springboro 23
9. Tippecanoe 21
10. Northmont  16

DIVISION II GIRLS
1. Alter  76
2. Bishop Fenwick  67
3. Oakwood 59
4. Waynesville 58
5. Lemon-Monroe 47
7. Bethel  32
8. Greenon 16
9. Madison  13
Northwestern  13

By Eric Frantz (for ESPNRISE)

Click here to access the article on ESPNRISE

CINCINNATI – Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) running back Tucker Skove may not have run for as many yards as celebrated Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) quarterback Braxton Miller, but Skove did run for more TDs.

And that’s why Moeller escaped with the win.

Skove scored five touchdowns, including the game-winner, to lead Moeller to a 35-28 comeback win over Wayne on ESPNU Sunday night in the final game of the ESPN RISE High School Football Kickoff.

Skove, who had 656 yards and nine touchdowns on 102 carries last year, finished with career highs in carries (32), yards (151) and touchdown runs (four). He also caught six passes for 69 yards and another score.

“Tucker is a leader,” Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. “He gave the halftime speech, and they rally around him because he is tough.”

After Moeller fell behind 28-14 at halftime, Skove scored three second-half touchdowns to complete the comeback. He scored on Moeller’s first two possessions after halftime, then his 1-yard run with five seconds left culminated a 66-yard drive that clinched it.

“It was all about getting it in there one more time,” Skove said. “We did whatever we had to do to get this win.”

Miller, the No. 2 quarterback in the ESPNU 150, rushed for a career-high 212 yards. Unfortunately for him, 206 of those yards and all three of his touchdowns came on 13 first-half carries. The Ohio State recruit managed just six yards on 11 carries in the second half.

Miller also completed 7-of-12 passes for 39 yards and an interception.

“It stings,” Wayne coach Jay Minton said. “It stings because it shows we should be up there playing with those guys. But in order to be up there, you’ve got to beat them.”

Miller ran for more than 100 yards for the third time of his career. The other two times came against archrival Centerville (Centerville, Ohio).

TOTAL YARDS
The teams combined for 756 total yards, with Moeller accounting for 461. Talk about balance – the Crusaders had 234 yards on the ground and 227 through the air.

LOOKING AHEAD
Wayne will appear on ESPNU again next week as part of the Herbstreit National Kickoff Classic. The Warriors play McKinley (Canton, Ohio) at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at Ohio State’s Ohio Stadium.

Moeller faces Hamilton (Hamilton, Ohio) next Saturday.

QUOTABLE
“We can’t rely so much on Braxton Miller. We have 10 other guys on the field and weapons at other places. We have to distribute the ball better. In the first half, he played well. In the second half, he had everybody keying on him. That makes it pretty tough.” – Minton

By Alex Sator

Saturday night Delphos St. John’s and Lima Central Catholic hooked up in a battle of small school powers.

DSJ entered the game ranked No. 1 in the JJHUddle Division VI Power Poll. LCC entered the game No. 4 in the JJHuddle D-V Power Poll.

The Blue Jays wont he game 34-14 thanks in part to turnovers.

Here’s how it went down:

This a statewide recap that runs on JJHuddle.com and miamivalleysports.com every Monday

There was a surreal feel Friday night at Kenton’s Robinson Field when Coldwater took the football field for the first time in 15 years led by someone other than John Reed.

I was there at the D-V state final in December – Reed’s last game. I was thankful to be at this one too – the Cavs first since his passing in June after a brief and swift bout with esophageal cancer.

Before the game, the standing room only crowd produced a moment of silence and Kenton made a donation to the John Reed Memorial Fund. Players from last year’s game met at mid-field and shook hands. The flag was at half mass.

This was the 11th straight season opener between Coldwater and Kenton and it was the first where the coaching match-up was something different than Reed versus Kenton’s Mike Mauk. Something else was different too this time around. The outcome.

For the first time since 2001 and for just the third time in 12 tries, Kenton beat Coldwater. The score was 50-31, but the game was much closer.

It was also a showcase of two quarterback talents.

Everyone in Ohio knows about Kenton junior Maty Mauk and deservedly so. In just two years of high school ball, Mauk has thrown for 7,849 yards (11th all-time in state history) and 82 TDs. He’s on pace to break his older brother Ben’s national record of 17,000-plus passing yards.

Friday, Maty Mauk completed 37 of 60 attempts for 437 yards and five TDs. He also ran for 69 yards and two TDs against a Coldwater defense that was playing ONE down lineman. It was another solid performance from the state’s top junior QB prospect.

What wasn’t as expected was the performance of Coldwater’s new QB – 6-4, 195 pound sophomore Austin Bruns.

Bruns threw five TD passes of his own (four to senior Reese Klenke who had 13 receptions for 204 yards) and more than held his own in his varsity debut. Bruns future is very bright – and so is Coldwater’s with him taking snaps.

As for Kenton, their state title hopes will hinge on their defense. Points won’t be a problem and neither will conservative play-calling.

Kenton head coach Mike Mauk went for it on fourth down multiple times, including once at his own 32 on the opening drive that helped lead to Coldwater’s first TD. Mauk got that score back though by calling a fake punt on fourth-and-15 from his own 20 with less than two minutes to go in the second quarter. His son Maty – also the punter – completed the pass for a first down and the Wildcats eventually scored a TD with 19 seconds to go before the break to lead 30-19. Had Kenton not scored that TD, Coldwater, which battled back to trail just 36-31 in the fourth quarter, would have actually had a late lead.

That first half? It lasted an hour and 40 minutes. This game was longer than an NFL game. And the NFL plays 15 minute quarters, not 12.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Alex Brooks, Harrison Central: The senior RB rushed for a TD, caught a TD, threw a TD and returned a kickoff for a TD in the Huskies 47-37 win over Urichsville Claymont. Brooks ran for a three-yard score, returned a kickoff 84 yards for a score, caught a 93-yard scoring pass and threw a 28-yard TD pass.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jim Luther, Uniontown Lake: Senior SS helped spark a defense that forced five turnovers by returning a fumble 67-yards for a TD on Green’s first possession in the Blue Streaks 44-14 win. As a RB he added four more TDs and 162 yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ben Coffaro, Cincinnati Elder: Senior had over 350 all-purpose yards in the Panthers 38-21 win over then D-II No. 1 Winton Woods. The RB/WR/KR and Wildcat specialist carried the ball 19 times for 90 yards, had five receptions for 137 yards, returned two kick-offs for 113 yards and had two punt returns for 17 yards. That’s 357 yards in 28 touches. Coffaro had a 4-yard TD run, a 50-yard TD reception and returned the opening kickoff of the second half a school record 98 yards for another TD.

BIG PERFORMERS

Konner Baker, Ada: Junior became the fourth Baker brother to start at QB for the Bulldogs and announced his arrival by accounting for seven TDs in a 69-7 win over Dola Hardin Northern. Baker completed 14-of-20 passes for 375 yards and six TDs. He also ran for a TD and added an interception on defense for good measure.

Kyle Stahl, St. Henry: Sophomore QB completed 17-of-23 passes for 289 yards and three TDs and also ran for two more TDs in the Redskins 48-13 win over Marion Pleasant. 


Jordy Scanlon, Clinton-Massie: Senior RB had 15 carries for 221 yards and six TDs – all in the first half – of a 55-0 win over Blanchester.

Brandon Robinson, Colonel Crawford: Senior RB scored five TDs and ran for 190 yards on 28 carries in a 34-7 win over Mt. Gilead.

Andrew Bonnette, Tallmadge: Senior WR caught seven passes for 240 yards and two TDs in a 29-28 win over Ravenna.

Josh Frakes, Hamilton Township: RB bulled his way to 362 yards and five TDs on 35 carries in a 55-30 win over Chillicothe that snapped a 12-game losing skid.

Marcus Fuller, Ashland: Senior QB tied his own school record with five TD passes in a game by throwing for that many in the first half of the Arrows 49-7 win over Willard. Fuller completed 15-of-23 passes for 319 yards.

Danny Reaser, Elyria Catholic: Senior QB completed 26-of-37 passes for 383 yards and 5 TDs in a 45-6 win over Lorain Clearview.

Cole French, Eaton: Junior QB excelled in his varisty debut by completing 23-of-35 passes for 390 yards and four TDs in a 30-0 win over Oxford Talawanda. He also kicked four PATs.

Ryan Adams, Carroll: Senior kicked two field goals, including one from 52 yards out, in a 28-0 win over Xenia.

Nick Smith, Jonathan Alder: K booted a 51-yard field goal in a 24-0 win over Thomas Worthington.

BIG NEWS

Stebbins snaps 30-game losing streak: The Indians entered Friday having last felt the thrill of victory in Week 10 of the 2006 season. After a 21-9 win over West Carrollton that thrill was back. Led by QB Steve Smith who ran for 150 yards and two TDs, Stebbins built a 19-3 halftime lead and added a safety late to end a string of three straight 0-10 seasons.

Dover Explosion: The Tornados had several standout performances in a 63-14 win over Carrollton. Senior WR Colton Zahner set school records for receptions (14) and receiving yards (291). Junior QB Derek Swinderman threw four TDs to Zahner and six total. He also completed 22-of-33 passes for 381 yards. RB Keith Johnson added three TDs and 176 yards on 17 carries. Dover tied the school record for points in a quarter with 35 in the first.

Mustangs stampede records: Urichsville Claymont junior Nick Merrick and sophomore receiver Tyler Peterson set school records in a 47-37 loss to Harrison Central. Merrick completed 17-of-33 passes for a school record 449 yards and three TDs. Merrick, who also ran for a TD, broke the previous record of 351 yards set by current Claymont assistant coach Derek O’Hara in 2000. Peterson set a school record with 11 receptions (for 165 yards). The old mark of nine was set in 2002 by Brennen Clarke.

WEEK 1 SCORES
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

By Adam Adkins

DAYTON — Talk about Friday night lights.

In a game that didn’t start until nearly 9:30 p.m. and didn’t hear the final whistle until just after midnight, the Valley View Spartans overcame an anemic first half to beat the Dunbar Wolverines on Friday night, 25-12.

Led by Akron-bound QB Kyle Pohl and recently-transferred RB Jake Jarbo, the Spartans worked the run game all night long, and it paid off.

Jarbo carried the ball 30 times for 117 yards and a TD.  Early in the second half Jarbo fumbled away another score on the Dunbar 1.

Valley View coach Jay Niswonger is happy to have Jarbo but acknowledges there are things to work on.

“Well, he’s got a lot to learn about our offense,” Niswonger said.  “First half he missed a lot of things blocking wise, which hurt our passing game.”

“Obviously he’s an asset.  He can make a lot of things happen.”

In the second half the Spartans running game started finding holes, turning what was once 1-or-2 yard gains into 9-or-10 yard bursts.  Most of that came from Jarbo.

“In the second half he did a nice job.  He could have had another score, but he turned it over,” Niswonger said.

Running backs Tyler Scheck and Brandon Fox also carried the ball to spell Jarbo.  Scheck scored on an 8-yard scamper and Fox tackled Dunbar’s James Wright on fourth down to stop a long Dunbar drive.

Pohl scored the clinching touchdown with a naked bootleg from the Dunbar 17 to give the Spartans an 18-6 lead with just over 5 minutes left.

Pohl said it felt great to run it in.

“That’s something we were thinking about doing for a few possessions,” Pohl said.  “We thought it’d work so we tried it out.”

Pohl had less than 10 attempts Friday, but according to Niswonger the passing game comes and goes, and Dunbar’s speed was making it too difficult.

“They’re a quick, real athletic team,” Pohl said.

Pohl took a big hit in the first half and stayed down on the turf.  He said at first he couldn’t breathe or think, so he just stayed down.  He only missed one play, though.

“I just needed to regroup so I could get back on the field,” Pohl said.

Dunbar scored early on a Darold Kelly run, but struggled throughout the rest of the game.  QB Leo Montgomery threw 2 interceptions, and twice the Dunbar offense was stopped in its own endzone for safeties.

Late in the fourth quarter, backup QB Kris Hall threw a score to Theron Ellis to make it 25-12.