The Elks are headed to the State Semi-Finals for the first time in 33 years after an exciting 23-14 victory over rival Wayne on Friday night at Dayton Welcome Stadium. Despite the rainy weather, a great crowd turned out to witness this exciting game, which saw the Elks defeat their third opponent for the second time this season — a rare and impressive feat.

Centerville started strong, taking a 7-0 lead just 9:29 into the first quarter when junior Shane Cole ran it in from seven yards out. The Elks’ defense dominated early, keeping Wayne’s offense in check throughout most of the first half. A key moment came when senior Andrew Erwin intercepted a Wayne pass, setting up the Elks at their own 39-yard line. Though Centerville couldn’t convert the opportunity and turned the ball over on downs, the defense continued to make critical plays.

Wayne tied the game at 7-7 with 5:02 left in the second quarter on a 39-yard touchdown pass. But Centerville quickly responded. With just 3:33 left in the half, a tipped pass from Shane Cole to Ryan Swanson found its way to sophomore Josh Becker, who raced 71 yards for a touchdown. The Elks entered halftime leading 14-7.

The second half saw Wayne tie the game again, 14-14, on a 47-yard touchdown run with 7:38 left in the third quarter. After that, both defenses tightened up. A pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when Wayne mishandled a snap on a punt, giving the Elks excellent field position at the Wayne 15-yard line. Although Centerville couldn’t capitalize on that chance, the defense held firm and forced another punt.

The Elks’ offense delivered when it mattered most. With just 4:12 left in the game, Shane Cole capped off a 48-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to put Centerville ahead 21-14. The defense continued to shine, forcing a safety on an intentional grounding call with 1:39 remaining to extend the lead to 23-14. Senior Jacob Taylor sealed the win with a critical fumble recovery earlier in the quarter and played a standout game with 11 tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss.

Special teams also played a crucial role. Senior Leland Gantz consistently flipped the field with five punts averaging nearly 45 yards each, including a clutch punt late in the game that pinned Wayne at their own 14-yard line.

Junior Parker Johnson led the offense with 102 rushing yards on 23 carries, while Shane Cole added two rushing touchdowns. On defense, junior Brady Seely recorded six tackles and 2.5 sacks, and senior Jackson Puckett contributed six tackles and two tackles for loss.

This win showcased Centerville’s ability to play complete team football, with key contributions from offense, defense, and special teams. Now, the Elks will face Moeller in the State Semi-Finals on Friday at Princeton High School at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at Click Here, and the game will be streamed live on Spectrum.

The Elks’ incredible season continues as they aim to make even more history.