XENIA — Rivals renew their bids to claim the Clifton/Spahr Memorial Trophy on Friday as Fairborn travels to face Xenia at Doug Adams Stadium to kick off the second half of the regular season.

The Skyhawks pulled off the upset a year ago with a 28-21 win in the final meeting at Fairborn’s Memorial Stadium.

Xenia (5-0) is one of two Division II teams in the state to be ranked in the top-5 for both most points scored and fewest points allowed through the season’s halfway point. Deaunte White is the leading rusher in Southwest Ohio and his 981 yards on the ground are fourth-most across the state, according to what has been inputted on MaxPrep’s website which does not list White.

It has been more of a team effort for the Skyhawks on the ground in it’s Wing-T style. Fairborn (2-3) has steadily gained yards against all opponents while making opponents respect the passing game. Zyaire Cavitt and Cameron Faircloth have the bulk of the rushing work.

The ground game will be the likely play for either side on Friday with rain forecasted for most of the day.

Centerville (2-3) at Beavercreek (3-2)

The Beavers have to be enjoying a sense of pride in ending its prolonged losing streak against GWOC opponents last week. Beavercreek has certainly earned it and didn’t back into a win with its play, as the team’s 11.2 points per game average ranks tied for sixth fewest of any Division I team in the state.

Centerville’s record shouldn’t fool anyone in having played a tough slate to this point. Turnovers have plagued the Elks, commiting six in last week’s loss to Springfield in which the team only scored three points.

No opponent has bottled up Beavercreek’s clock-running offense, and it will continue to give their side a chance in each game as long as they continue to control the tempo.

Bellbrook (4-1) at Edgewood (1-4)

Bellbrook’s defense also has been amongst the state’s best in not allowing points, ranking in the top 10 for D-III teams. It has only allowed one touchdown over the last three games and forced five turnovers against Alter last week.

Edgewood has faced a difficult schedule so far, as all four of its losses have come against teams above .500 on the season and the only win against future SWBL-member Talawanda. Solomon Rothermel leads a stingy defense that has improved week-by-week and will be another tough test for Bellbrook to overcome.

Don’t be surprised if Bellbrook is involved in another low-scoring game, which it hasn’t shied away from this season.

Alter (2-3) at Carroll (4-1)

Carroll’s unexpected first loss could prove costly as the second half of the season and GCL Co-ed play begins. The Patriots have not won a league game in more than three seasons and that fact will need to change in order to make the playoffs.

The Alter offense got off to a fast start last week until its struggles caught up. The Knights are averaging fewer than 10 points per game but have been in striking distance nearly each time the fourth quarter arrives.

Since the series was restarted in 2006, the only time Carroll has beaten its rival was in 2019.

Cedarville (2-3) at Madison Plains (2-3)

The ground game that helps Cedarville’s offense go has hit a wall as of late. The Indians have failed to reach at least 100 yards rushing in the last two weeks, surely having some responsibility for the 0-for-7 performance on fourth down in last week’s loss.

It’s been an improved year so far for Madison Plains after having already met its win total from the last three years combined. Colby Stoughton has been one of the better two-way players in the league, leading the team in rushing attempts and yards, receptions and yards, and tackles.

The winner likely establishes itself as second-favorite behind Greeneview in the division and in better position to qualify into the postseason.

Greenon (0-5) at Greeneview (5-0)

OHC South play begins this week for the Rams, a division it has dominated in recent years. Greeneview has won 15 consecutive games against South teams and have outscored opponents 560-97 during that three-year stretch. Since the league split into two divisions in 2017, the Rams have three total losses in South Division play.

Greenon has been responsible for the last two of those losses. It would seem unlikely it happens again Friday, but one can never guarantee victory. The Knights have struggled on both sides, but mainly defensively as it has allowed at least 33 points in all five losses.

Alex Horney and Chase Walker both rank in the top 5 for rushing yardage in the OHC, while Greenon has allowed at least 220 yards on the ground in each of its last three games.

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