The varsity football team secured a thrilling victory in the first round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Regional Football Playoffs Friday night at home. The Elks emerged victorious with a final score of 23-6 over the Olentangy Orange Pioneers.

The game started with Olentangy Orange in possession of the football, and they initially displayed a promising drive, marching from their own 13-yard line deep into Elks territory. However, the Centerville defense proved its mettle by capitalizing on a penalty and a well-timed sack, effectively shutting down the Pioneer drive. This crucial defensive stand set the tone for the rest of the game as the Elks took over at their own 30-yard line.

In the first quarter, Centerville's punter, Leland Gantz, executed a brilliantly executed fake punt that caught the Pioneers off guard. Gantz's run secured a first down, keeping the Elks' drive alive. With just 3:13 left in the first quarter, senior quarterback Drake Wells connected with junior Jamar Montgomery for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Although the subsequent point-after-touchdown attempt was unsuccessful, the Elks took an early 6-0 lead.

The momentum continued in Centerville's favor as they foiled an attempted fake punt by the Pioneers, gaining possession at the Pioneer 47-yard line. With 9:21 left in the first half, sophomore Shane Cole found senior Daniel Kamara for an 11-yard touchdown pass, extending the Elks' lead to 13-0.

Olentangy Orange managed to put points on the board with a 37-yard field goal with 5:01 left in the half, narrowing the gap to 13-3. A fumble exchange between the Centerville quarterback and running back with 2:59 left in the half provided the Pioneers with a golden opportunity. They drove the ball to the Elks' 27-yard line and settled for a 35-yard field goal, closing the first half with Centerville leading 13-6.

The third quarter primarily belonged to the defenses, resulting in a scoreless period. As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Elks maintained their lead at 13-6.

With 9:02 left in the game, Leland Gantz's booming 43-yard field goal extended the Elks' advantage to 16-6. The Centerville defense continued to stymie the Pioneers, allowing them to regain possession at the Orange 25-yard line. Opting for a fourth-down conversion attempt rather than a field goal, the Elks' faith in their defense was rewarded when Bryce Bohram-Thomas intercepted a Pioneer pass at the Elks' 48-yard line. With just 2:10 remaining in the game, sophomore Parker Johnson delivered the final blow with a 38-yard touchdown run, sealing a 23-6 victory for the Elks. The defense maintained its dominance in the second half, keeping the Pioneers off the scoreboard.

The football team is now an impressive 9-2 overall on the season and are advancing to the Regional Quarterfinals. They will face the Springfield Wildcats in another home game scheduled for Friday, November 3rd, at 7 pm. Tickets for the upcoming match can be purchased online at www.ohsaa.org/tickets for $12 (Adults) and $9 (Students). Fans can also buy tickets at the gate for $15 with cash. The Wildcats have owned Region 2 so the Elks get a chance to challenge that situation on Friday. We need our stadium to be full!