Right from the opening kickoff, the Centerville Elks showed that they were locked in and ready to go. They embarked on an impressive 77-yard drive, showcasing a balanced offense, and concluded it with a powerful 2-yard touchdown run by Braylon Newcomb. Adding to the excitement, the Elks executed a trick play for the two-point conversion, taking an early 8-0 lead with 5:14 left in the first quarter.
The Elks' defense was the true star of the game, consistently thwarting the Tigers' offensive efforts. In their opening possession, the Tigers were forced to punt, setting the tone for the night. The first quarter concluded with the Elks leading 8-0 and the ball on their own 11-yard line.
The Tigers managed to put points on the board with a 43-yard field goal early in the second quarter, narrowing the Elks' lead to 8-3. Both teams traded punts until late in the half when Jacob Taylor blocked a punt, and Landon King scooped it up, positioning the Elks at the Tiger 20-yard line. However, a batted pass led to a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown by the Tigers, putting them ahead 9-8 with 34 seconds left in the half.
Despite dominating most of the first half, the Elks found themselves trailing. The Tigers were set to receive the ball to start the second half, but the Elks' defense continued to shine, stopping the Tigers on their first possession deep in Elk territory on a 4th and five.
The Elks' offense stepped up, driving the ball down to the Pickerington Central 17-yard line, where Leland Gantz nailed a 34-yard field goal, giving the Elks an 11-9 lead with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter.
The Elks continued to execute brilliantly on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Drake Wells connected with senior tight end Bryce Cowgill for a 7-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, extending the lead to 18-9.
In the fourth quarter, the Elks' defense made critical stops, while the offense engineered another impressive drive. Wells found junior Jamar Montgomery for a 14-yard touchdown pass, making it 25-9 with 10:35 to go.
The Tigers managed to score their first offensive touchdown of the game, narrowing the gap to 25-17 with 6:43 left. However, the Elks' offense put together a crucial drive, allowing Gantz to seal the victory with a 29-yard field goal. The final score: 28-17 in favor of the Elks.
This victory was a testament to the entire Centerville Elks team. Offensively, senior Drake Wells led the way with 222 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior Jamar Montgomery had 7 catches for 72 yards and a TD, and sophomore Quincy Capogna contributed 4 catches for 72 yards. Defensively, Landon King, Matthew Jones, and Ross Coppock made significant contributions with a combined 19 tackles and a fumble recovery.
The Centerville Elks' impressive victory over the previously undefeated Pickerington Central Tigers showcased their resilience and determination. With this win, the Elks move to a 2-1 overall record as they prepare to enter GWOC play next week. Their next challenge is against the undefeated Miamisburg team, and fans can look forward to Military Appreciation Night on Friday, September 8th, at Centerville Stadium with kickoff at 7 pm. With a stellar performance like this, the Elks are poised to make a strong statement in the upcoming season. Tickets are only available online for the Miamisburg game at
