Xenia captures fourth straight Backyard Battle trophy against Beavercreek

BEAVERCREEK — Disclipline was going to be the key for either Beavercreek or Xenia to prevail in Friday’s season opener.

Check out photos from the week one matchup between Beavercreek and Xenia.

It was Xenia’s ability to be patient and stick to its gameplan that helped allow the Buccaneers to wear down Beavercreek and win 26-7 at Frank Zink Field.

“I thought our defense played outstanding,” Xenia head coach Maurice Harden said. “They were extremely disciplined, very physical, and they executed at a very high level. I’m super proud of them.”

A fourth straight win in the Backyard Battle for Xenia was a closer game than the previous meetings. The Buccaneers rotated five options for its rushing attack until finding the right one in crunch time.

Holding onto a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and looking to create some breathing room, Xenia worked its way near the redzone but had to convert a fourth-and-one try to keep the drive going. A 12-yard rush by Deaunte White picked up the first and Xenia decided to keep handing him the rock.

White powered through the Beavercreek defense over the next four plays to pick up the final 21 yards and scored on a two-yard rush that gave Xenia plenty the cushion it was seeking with just under seven minutes to play.

“My coach put me in and he just trusted me to get us down there and I did what I had to do,” White said.

Unofficially, White totaled 125 yards on 12 carries and nearly scored again on a 65-yard scramble that saw him be caught near the goal line. The Buccaneers had 208 rushing yards as a team to outpace the Beavers new option-based offense.

In the past two meetings, Xenia scored in the first minute of the game. This time they needed about 90 extra seconds to get rolling.

After Beavercreek went three-and-out on offense to start the game, the snap on a punt attempt soared well too high and was nearly recovered for a touchdown but instead turned into a safety for a quick 2-0 Xenia lead.

Sean Leonard added a 25-yard field goal at the end of Xenia’s first possession and the Buccaneers looked as if they would control the score early until suddenly allowing a big play.

After having been mostly stifled in the early going, Beavercreek faced a third down situation at its own 37. An outside toss to Zane Piatt saw him break contain and burst down the Xenia sideline for a 60-yard gain. Jack Minnick found the end zone two plays later to give Beavercreek the 7-5 lead.

“I thought we played really hard,” Beavercreek head coach Trace Smitherman said. “Being our first showing, your scrimmages don’t really give you what you need, but I think tonight they did a really good job competing across the board and that’s what we want to see them do on a regular basis.”

Xenia’s offense didn’t panic and overcame a holding penalty to take back the lead. Scrambling to his right, quarterback Gavin McManus bought time for his receivers and found Cayden Jenkins wide open for a 25-yard touchdown pass that capped a nine-play drive travelling 75 yards.

Neither side was able to cross midfield for the remainder of the first half. Xenia after the break put the game in the hands of McManus and let him lead the offense.

An eight-play touchdown drive to begin the third quarter saw him complete three passes for 61 yards before strolling across the goal line on his own after a play fake that allowed him to go untouched for the final 11 yards.

“Gavin did well, he did exactly what he was supposed to,” Harden said. “I tell him, ‘don’t make the big play, make the right play.’”

McManus finished the game 11-for-14 passing for 128 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 44 additional yards.

Beavercreek’s last scoring threat came on the ensuing drive as it line began to gel. Five straight runs gaining 41 yards moved the Beavers nearly into field goal range before Xenia called a timeout late in the third. Minnick then was unable to handle the snap and put the offense behind schedule. A fourth down and three attempt was stuffed to end the drive.

“There’s no question our line is coming along,” Smitherman said. “Getting better across the board and that’s what we want to see.”

Beavercreek will continue its schedule at home next week when it hosts Ponitz CTC. Xenia will play at home for the first time this season as it gets set to begin Miami Valley League play hosting West Carrollton.

See all of the week one scores for Greene County teams.

Contact Steven Wright at 937-502-4498 and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @Steven_Wright_.