The first half was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to gain a foothold. The Elks' offense seemed promising as they took the opening kickoff and methodically marched down the field, getting as close as the Fairmont 8-yard line. However, a costly penalty halted their progress, and kicker Leland Gantz missed his first field goal attempt of the year, a 30-yarder pushed just wide to the right. The Firebirds seized the opportunity. On a crucial third and long play, Fairmont executed a perfectly timed reverse that resulted in a 58-yard touchdown run. With 3:24 remaining in the first quarter, the Firebirds took a 6-0 lead as the Elks blocked the point-after attempt.
The rest of the first half saw the Centerville offense plagued by penalties and struggling to generate any momentum. At halftime, the Elks found themselves trailing 6-0, a situation that demanded a comeback.
The second half would belong to the Elks. Fairmont began with the ball, but the Elks' defense forced a punt after the Firebirds managed just one first down. It was at this point that senior quarterback Drake Wells stepped into the spotlight. Wells orchestrated an impressive 70-yard drive, connecting with receivers Bryce Cowgill, Jamar Montgomery, and finally, Quincy Capogna. The drive culminated with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Wells to Capogna, giving the Elks a 7-6 lead with 2:54 left in the third quarter.
The Centerville defense continued to shine, as they denied Fairmont's attempts to regain control of the game. The Black Shirts demonstrated their tenacity, ensuring that the Firebirds couldn't mount a comeback.
With 10:00 left in the game, the Elks seized their opportunity to put the contest beyond reach. Starting from their own 15-yard line, Wells led the offense on an 85-yard drive, predominantly relying on the ground game. The drive was punctuated by a 1-yard touchdown run by Wells, extending the Elks' lead to 14-6 with 3:52 left in the game.
Fairmont, known for their ball control offense, suddenly found themselves in a situation that was outside their comfort zone – needing to strike quickly. The Centerville defense refused to relent and once again pushed the Firebirds deep into their territory. The Elks' offense capitalized on this advantage, securing another touchdown with a 2-yard run by Daniel Kamara.
The Elks' defense then forced their only turnover of the game, with senior Seth Alejandrino intercepting a crucial Firebird pass, sealing the victory for Centerville. With a final score of 21-6, the Elks celebrated not only their hard-fought victory but also their 2023 Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) Championship. This is the first GWOC title since 2017.
The team is now 8-1 overall, with an undefeated 6-0 record within the GWOC. As the regular season nears its conclusion, the Centerville Elks look ahead to their next challenge. They will finish the regular season with an away game against Wayne on Friday, October 20th, at 7 pm. For fans eager to witness the Elks in action, tickets are available online at
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You can buy tickets with cash at the gate.
