XENIA — All seven Greene County football teams are above .500 three weeks into the season.

The weather has been tremendous and the support is seen by the filled-out grandstands in each stadium. It’s a good time to want to check out some of the local action on Friday nights.

A few teams are gaining state recognition in the early going.

Greeneview is the first team out of the top-10 in the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association’s state poll published by the Associated Press. They got 19 voting points in Division V to be one of four team’s from Southwest Ohio being included.

Xenia also is in the receiving votes section of the D-II poll as one of four teams on the brink of being in the top-10. Xenia even got one of the 12 first place votes cast this week. This writer did not vote in this week’s poll.

Week four is proper to have a general grasp of how well each team is playing. The next few weeks begin getting league play into full gear and will provided the full picture which teams, none to some to all, may keep up their strong starts.

Stebbins (1-2) at Xenia (3-0)

Deaunte White with his monster performance in week three has placed himself amongst the state leaders in rushing and scoring and has seemingl established himself as the guy to lead another potent Xenia offense. Two years ago during Xenia’s undefeated regular season, the team’s offense had at least 300 total yards and averaged close to 20 first downs per game and this year’s squad is doing the same through the first three weeks.

Xenia’s defense has yet to allow a point after the first quarter in a game, nor has any opponent gained more 200 total yards against them. Stebbins has competed in all three games and will pose the biggest challenge for the Bucs’ defense so far.

Devin McCormick is averaging better than 200 yards passing per game and has two of the top-five receivers in the league so far between Brayden Walters and Deshawn Cunningham. If neither are open, McCormick is getting it done with his legs to keep the offense on schedule.

Sidney (1-2) at Fairborn (2-1)

Is it ever too early to start thinking about the playoffs? Fairborn can ride its past experience to now know every win can matter and eventually a team needs to a fellow playoff contender to have a chance. This week marks the first of a handful of games in MVL play that will define Fairborn’s chances heading into the final weeks.

The Skyhawks have taken care of business in its two wins over Tecumseh and West Carrollton and ran into the same buzzsaw that every other opponent has not done much against so far in Tippecanoe. Sidney presents the first similar level opportunity to learn how good Fairborn may be this season.

Sidney’s defense has struggled mightly, having allowed at least 48 points and more than 400 yards in all three games. The offense is capable of making any game a shootout, and playmaker Julius Spradling appears to be healthy again to take some of the pressure off the passing game where Tank Fleming is running through opposing secondaries with ease.

Ponitz CTC (0-3) at Bellbrook (2-1)

It’s been a wild ride to start of Bellbrook’s season. Two good opposing defenses have mostly shut down the rushing attack. Yet the Golden Eagles are above .500 with a upset win over one of the nation’s top collegiate recruits thanks in part to its own good defensive style to limit the opposing run game. Valley View averaged better than 10 yards per carry in its first two games before rushing for negative yardage over 30 attempts against Bellbrook.

Preston Petit has 29 tackles, three sacks and two tackles for loss in the three games to lead the defense. Big runs by Vincent Epifano and Tanner Stewart have been game breakers for Bellbrook’s offense, but without them the offense is averaging barely more than three yards per play.

Ponitz has struggled against every opponent in all phases and its only points came on the final play of game in its season opener. This should be a “get healthy” matchup for Bellbrook.

Northmont (1-2) at Beavercreek (2-1)

The loss streak in GWOC play for Beavercreek currently is at 35 games. The last victory in a game that counted in the league standings came against Fairmon in the final game of the 2017 season, while a win at Fairborn in 2018 is the last time the Beavers beat any team which a member of the GWOC at the time of the game.

Beavercreek has shut out overmatched opponents in back-to-back games and have their feet under them in the new rushing attack. Zane Piatt continues to shove his way forward for multi-yard gains to keep the offense moving, and Calvin Svoboda has yet to not complete a pass in his two games at quarterback.

Northmont got its first win a week ago after scoring a touchdown in the final seconds to beat winless Withrow. Calilien Grant and Brady Lupton combine as an athletic rushing attack, while Jshawn Tellis disrupts opposing offenses from the defensive line with 3.5 tackles for loss this season.

Northwest (0-3) at Carroll (3-0)

The Patriots unbeaten start should be considered as one of the more surprising records in the area. Carroll’s three opponents are a combined 1-6 against other opponents, but it doesn’t diminish that the Patriots have done their part to win those games. Carroll has only finished at least .500 twice since 2011 and have a good chance to get there this year.

Tayshawn Brown leads the GCL Co-ed in scoring with five rushing TDs and has converted five two-point conversations. Jayden Crawford has stepped in as a second option at receiver to line up opposite of Jack McGeady and leads the league in receiving yardage.

Northwest has been shut out in two of its losses. Mike Lacue, Kinxton Hill and Jordan Bailey have handled the run game duties and average 4.3 yards per carry. Lauris Barnes has passed on more than a third of Northwest’s plays but is only completing 39 percent of those throws so far.

West Jefferson (1-2) at Greeneview (3-0)

In the preseason, this appeared to have game of the year vibes in the Ohio Heritage Conference as the two favorites in the North and South Divisions. Injuries have derailed the Broncos, but it won’t make them any less dangerous of an opponent for unbeaten Greeneview.

Austin Buescher can sling it at quarterback, having thrown for more than 6,000 career yards already early into his junior season. A year ago he had 302 yards and three TDs to lead a comeback win in overtime for West Jefferson. This season he has spread the wealth between Austin Mast, Wyatt Keyt and Wade Reeve.

The Rams have worn out each of its opponents with its devasting ground game. Alex Horney is one of the best dual threat players at quarterback in the area and is the league’s leading rusher. Greeneview previously spoke about going through this three-game stretch winless a year ago, and now they are a win away from going unbeaten in the rematches this season.

Cedarville (2-1) at Mechanicsburg (2-1)

Colt Coffey has been a one-man wrecking crew for opponents to try and get a handle. He is averaging more than 180 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns per game out of the backfield. By himself he is making Cedarville a difficult task to keep off the scoreboard, but its a numbers game on defense that will define the team’s chances in league play.

Fairbanks was able to churn out yards a week ago and Mechanicsburg has shown an ability to do the same and more as one of the OHC’s best balanced attacks. Conley Bogard has comlpeted 63 percent of his attempts and has seven TDs but four interceptions. Ronnie Thomas runs the ball well, but does even better stopping opponents from doing so with 4.5 tackles for loss and sacks.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Our top performer from Greene County for Week 3 of the season is Xenia sophomore Deaunte White. He had 388 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, both new school records, in the win at Sidney.

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