MIAMISBURG — It. Is. Over.

Behind a punishing run game and an opportunistic defense, the Beavercreek Beavers ended a 39-game Greater Western Ohio Conference losing streak with a gritty 19-10 win at Miamisburg Friday.

Prior to this week’s game, the last time the Beavers won a game that counted in the GWOC standings they topped Fairmont 14-3 on Sept. 22, 2017. The Beavers beat Fairborn in 2018 but it was a crossover game and did not count in the standings.

“Seven years,” Coach Trace Smitherman — in his first season as the BHS head coach — said after receiving the obligatory dumping of water from the cooler and a quick smooch from his wife. “Long time for the school, the community. They deserved an opportunity to get this win. Our kids played really, really hard. It’s a blessing for me, my coaching staff, the community. We’re definitely going to enjoy this one.”

That they did.

As soon as quarterback Jack Minnick took a knee to allow time to expire, players rushed the field to celebrate and then ran to the student section, inventing the Holland Hop onto the bleachers to whoop it up with their pals.

“Fantastic,” a sweat-covered Logan Johnston said after an extended locker room powwow. “The work we put in as a group. It’s phenomenal. It’s all coming together now.”

Johnston — one of many seniors who endured the many losses — had a big hand, actually two big hands, in the win.

In a 10-10 game early in the third quarter, he jumped a route on a third and 12 play from the Miamisburg 28, intercepted a pass intended for the tight end in the flat, and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.

“He was looking at the route the whole time,” Johnston said. “I just read his eyes. I saw my boys blocking for me. I just saw an open field and I saw six on that scoreboard.”

Then with Beavercreek up 19-10 midway through the fourth, he reached in front of a Miamisburg receiver to knock down a pass on fourth down. The Beavers were able to run out the clock from there.

“Most disciplined defense in GWOC,” Johnston said. “We focused on doing our own jobs. We stopped shooting ourselves in the foot by trying to do someone else’s job. And if everyone focuses on doing their own thing, it comes together and we get it done.”

Smitherman also credited the defensive coaches, who kept the players on the sideline at halftime to go over video and make adjustments after giving up several drive-sustaining plays in the first half.

“We wanted to make sure that they understood what they were getting,” Smitherman said. “We go through it all week. Sometimes they still don’t get it and it’s moving too fast as far as that goes. So they stayed out. They really took their time, got it, and it payed off.”

The Beavers (3-2, 1-1) held the Vikings (1-4, 0-2) scoreless in the second half, unofficially allowing 57 yards. The defense also recorded a safety as a cadre of Beavers bulldozed their way through the line to tackle a Viking running back in the end zone on a first down play from the Miamisburg one.

A 44-yard punt by Conner Macek pinned the Vikings.

“I’m so proud of the coaching staff and how they worked through, the defense really came through tonight,” Smitherman said. “The pick six, the fourth down stops. They did a fantastic job of getting us where we needed to go.”

The Beavers took a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 37-yard field goal by Macek. Beavercreek ran 11 plays on the drive prior to the field goal — 10 runs — and chewed up more than six minutes.

Zane Piatt carried eight times for 41 yards (unofficial) on the drive. Beavercreek did have a 14-yard TD run called back due to holding.

Miamisburg tied it on its next possession, kicking a 31-yard field goal with 14 seconds left in the quarter.

The Beavers took a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter as wing Derek DeVine took a pitch from Minnick and then threw a perfect pass to wide open Laken Pierce for a 45-yard score.

Miamisburg tied it shortly before halftime on a 10-yard slant pass from Tytus Bettendorf to Harry Schneider.

The Beavers host 2-3 Centerville next week while the Vikings visit Fairmont.

Official stats were not yet available. Check back for updates.

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

Reach Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.