PREBLE COUNTY — While one Preble County football team was wrapping up its best season in program history, two others nearly pulled off major upsets in the final week of the season.
Preble Shawnee completed an 8-2 season on the field with a 14-7 win over visiting Monroe on Friday, Oct. 27.
“(I) could not be more proud of my guys. I thought it was one of the most physical games we have ever played on both sides of the ball. I thought our guys played inspired all night long. It was cold, wet, and nasty and the guys loved every minute of it. It was a great way to end the season and a great program win,” Shawnee coach Matt Hopkins said.
Senior Luke Lovely rushed for 162 yards on a career-high 42 carries, and two touchdowns as the game was played in a steady rain on a muddy field. He finished the game with seven tackles.
“I thought Luke Lovely played unbelievable on Friday night on both sides of the ball. He was a physical, hard-nosed, down-hill runner all night long. Defensively, he flew around in the mud and tried to make every tackle,” Hopkins said. “There is a reason he is our career leader in tackles, a four year starter, a multiple year captain, and never comes off the field. He is a great example of what we want Preble Shawnee to be known for.”
Ben Hobbs led the Arrows with nine tackles. Michael Bridgeford had eight and Tyler Stevenson and Jordan Stubbs each had six as the Shawnee defense held the Hornets to 140 yards of offense.
Blazers come up short against Covington
NEW PARIS — National Trail coach Mark Hoffman went for the win. The Blazers two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete with a 18 seconds left and Covington held on for a 7-6 win in a steady rain and muddy field conditions
After playing a scoreless first half, Covington took the lead on an Ethan Herron touchdown run in the third quarter.
Trail’s defense came away with a big play by forcing a Covington turnover with about two minutes left in the game. The Blazers drove 40 yards for a touchdown on a 1-yard by quarterback Evynn Short.
Trail ends the season 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the Cross County Conference.
South gives Miami East a scare
WEST ALEXANDRIA — Not many people gave Twin Valley South’s football team much of a chance when Miami East visited on Friday night. But the Panthers gave it their best shot and then some, but came up short as Miami East clinched the outright Cross County Conference championship with a gritty and muddy 7-0 victory in a driving rainstorm, wrapping up the top seed in its region for the playoffs in the process.
The game’s only score came on a pass as Ian Gengler connected with Matt Welker for a 6-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
South had a few chances to score as the moved inside East territory in the second half, including reaching the 10-yard line with just over seven minutes left the game, but turned the ball over on downs.
The Vikings drove to the South 15 and appeared ready to the put the game out of reach with just over two minutes left, but the Panthers defense forced a turnover. South reach midfield on its final drive, where it turned the ball over on downs.
South ends the season 3-7 overall and 3-5 in the CCC.
Eagles fall to Spartans
EATON — Eaton was looking to knock off unbeaten Valley View in Week 10, however, the Eagles weren’t able to keep pace in a 34-0 loss.
The Eagles couldn’t get its offense going in the steady rain as they managed just 146 yards of offense. VV finsihed with 345. Eaton trailed 15-0 after the first quarter and trailed 28-0 at the half.
Eaton finished the season 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the Southwestern Buckeye League’s Southwestern Division.
North shut out, 32-0
LEWISBURG — Tri-County North dropped its season finale 32-0 to visiting Ft. Loramie. The Panthers finished the season 4-6 overall and 3-5 in the CCC.
