Steven Wright | Greene County News
Xenia’s offensive line will be attempting to control the Backyard Battle and try and give their team a fourth straight victory against Beavercreek when the two begin the season Friday night at Miami Valley Hospital Stadium.
BEAVERCREEK — Everyone is 0-0 for one more day.
The first Friday night of the high school football regular season arrives to change that as the fresh start arrives with the 2024 season.
Read our team season previews for Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Carroll, Cedarville, Fairborn, Greeneview and Xenia.
Kicking off the year once again in Greene County will be the rivalry game between Beavercreek and Xenia. The two schools have begun their campaigns playing one another every year since 2014, except for in 2020 when COVID-19 caused numerous schedule changes. In the last 50 meetings, Xenia holds a 29-20-1 advantage over its neighbor to the west. The Bucs have dominated the last three meetings, winning them all by at least three touchdowns.
Xenia is coming off a disappointing 5-6 season that still saw the Buccaneers make the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. There’s plenty of experience returning that could help bring new wrinkles to the Xenia attack. Gavin McManus begins his fourth year at quarterback after finishing second in the Miami Valley League in passing last year. Crisp passing and an improved up-tempo game seems to be in the cards with a solid group of receivers outside and a good line blocking for him. The defense did struggle against the run, which is where Beavercreek hopes gains them an edge.
The Beavers will be switching to the triple option offense this year. Beavercreek hopes its misdirection attempts on offense will couple nicely with some athleticism in the backfield. There were positive early signs of how efficient they hope to run in a scrimmage win at Fairborn. Shortening games could also help assist its defense that has allowed more than 30 points 15 times over the last two seasons.
The game will be a meeting between the last two Xenia head coaches. Maurice Harden begins his fourth year with the Buccaneers, while Beavercreek is led by first-year coach and Harden’s predecessor, Trace Smitherman.
Bellbrook at Tippecanoe
This has become one of the premier non-league matchups in Southwest Ohio and will be the fourth straight season the sides begin the season playing one another. Bellbrook is 9-4 all-time against Tipp and won three of the four meetings in the past three seasons.
Bellbrook’s biggest question will be how it holds up at the line of scrimmage and the nerves of a new quarterback having to play on the road. The backfield of Vincent Epifano and Tanner Stewart will help provide a steady presence that moved the ball well against Tipp a year ago.
Tippecanoe was held to 100 yards of total offense in this game last year, but the Red Devils went on to reach the regional semifinal round in the postseason for the third straight year. There is a lot of roster turnover this year as Tipp graduated 10 of its 11 starters on offense, as well as three players which all led the MVL individually in passing, rushing receiving and tackles.
Cedarville at Fayetteville
The Indians cruised to a win in this non-league game last year in what was the first game back as a program for Fayetteville which went on to finish the year with a 2-8 record.
Colt Coffey had more than 100 yards in last year’s meeting and Cedarville will be hoping that becomes a regular occurrence against all opponents this year.
The Rockets graduated most of its offensive production, but have Alex Bradshaw returning who made 111 total tackles as a junior.
Fairborn at Tecumseh
The Skyhawks have lost three straight meetings with the Arrows, all games being played as the season opener in the past three years as well.
Fairborn’s new offense moved the ball well in its final scrimmage. Numerous players will carry the load, with Zyaire Cavitt and Jackson Fifield as two of the leading candidates the Skyhawks will lean on to take care of the ball.
Tecumseh should return quarterback Troy Rose but lost its two leading rushers from a run-heavy team. The Arrows also had a senior-laden defense that will see new faces take charge.
With both sides running option offenses, the clock could move fast in this one.
Northridge at Greeneview
Greeneview won the first ever matchup between the two schools in last year’s opener. This one starts a difficult stretch to open the season for Greeneview which could prove important come playoff time. It’s never too early to talk playoffs, right?
The Rams averaged 7.7 yards per play in the road win last year with Chase Walker scoring twice. Virtually every player is back and will be familiar with the Polar Bears.
Dorryen Davis threw for more than 1,400 yards last year after taking over as the starter at the season midway point. Ja’Dynn Martin had six games of 100 yards receiving and was the leading tackler in last season’s contest between the two teams. Greeneview’s Jamarious Vinson had two interceptions to help the Rams get the win in that game.
CORRECTION
In Tuesday’s edition of the Greene County HS Football preview, Xenia head coach Maurice Harden was incorrectly noted that it was his 5th season at the program with a 23-20 record. It is actually his 4th season and he has a record of 21-12. Greene County News apologizes for the error.
Contact Steven Wright at 937-502-4498 and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @Steven_Wright_.
