Centerville football needed just one score to defeat Kettering Fairmont

KETTERING, Ohio – In a defensive struggle Friday night, it felt like the first team to score between over Centerville and Fairmont just might come out victorious. It turned out that the first score was also the only score as Centerville topped Fairmont 7-0.

With 3:52 remaining in the third quarter, Centerville quarterback Braylon Newcomb found Nic Bruder for a 13-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the endzone.

“We were realizing on a front side post when the quarterback is rolling out, the cornerback is not really staying back,” Bruder said. “If I could just fake a double move, I could get behind (the secondary defender).”

Newcomb, who completed 12 passes for 99 yards and hit on 12 of his first 14 attempts, was making just his second start of the season for injured quarterback Drake Wells, who who left Centerville’s 37-6 win over Beavercreek on September 30th with a broken clavicle and is out for the year. Newcomb also led the rushing attack for the Elk with 71 yards on 13 carries.

With Wells out, people might have counted the Elks out, but they still believe they have what it takes to win games and compete.

“I think people were judging us, but we have athletes and playmakers all over the field,” Bruder said. “Having Braylon be able to step in is awesome.”

Fairmont had a chance late in the game after forcing a missed field goal with 2:34 left. But after getting the ball into Centerville territory, Mason Keely stepped in front of a Brock Baker pass and intercepted it to end the threat.

Drew Baker led the Fairmont offense, rushing for 45 yards on 11 carries, putting him over 1,000 yards on the season. He also had a 14-yard catch on the final drive.

The best scoring chance for either team in the first half came midway through the second quarter, when Centerville drove inside the Fairmont 20, but missed a field goal.

The two teams entered the week at No. 4 and No. 5 in the Division I, Region 2 computer rankings, with Centerville holding that coveted fourth spot that gets a team two possible home games in the playoffs. With the win, Centerville has put itself in a spot to stay home for the first two weeks of the postseason.

The win was Centerville puts the Elks at 7-2 and 4-2 in Greater Western Ohio Conference play. The loss for Fairmont drops them to 6-3,3-3 in GWOC play.

Both teams will finish the 2022 regular season at home, as Centerville plays Wayne and Fairmont hosts Beavercreek.