The Varsity Football team hosted the Carmel Greyhounds from Indiana on Friday night at Centerville Stadium. Despite a final score of 44-23 in favor of Carmel, the game was much closer than it appeared, with the wind playing a major role in the outcome.
Carmel won the coin toss and chose to make Centerville play into the wind in the first quarter. This decision proved to be key, as the Greyhounds used strong field position and their speed to jump out to a 20-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
As the second quarter began, Centerville had the wind at their backs, and Parker Johnson scored a 4-yard touchdown with 10:18 left, cutting the lead to 20-7. The Elks’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, and kicker Leland Gantz nailed a 44-yard field goal, making it 20-10 with 7:08 left in the half. However, just before halftime, Centerville fumbled, giving Carmel the ball at the Elks' 15-yard line. The Greyhounds kicked a field goal as time expired, extending their lead to 23-10 at the break.
Centerville started the second half with momentum when Gantz executed a perfect pooch kick, allowing the Elks to recover the ball at the Carmel 29-yard line. Gantz then hit a 41-yard field goal into the wind, cutting the deficit to 23-13. Carmel responded with a 21-yard touchdown, but Centerville struck back with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Shane Cole to Quincy Capogna, bringing the score to 30-20 at the end of the third quarter.
With 10:14 left in the game, Gantz added another field goal, making it a one-score game at 30-23. However, Carmel's offense drove 80 yards to score again, and a late pick-six by the Elks sealed the game for the Greyhounds, ending with a 44-23 final.
Despite the loss, Centerville showed determination and grit throughout the game. The Elks now sit at 1-2 after a tough non-conference schedule and will begin GWOC play next week with a game at Fairmont. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online at or at the gate with cash or credit card.
VARSITY FOOTBALL FALLS TO CARMEL, IN
