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Centerville surges on last-minute TD

CENTERVILLE, Ohio – It was not a pretty win, but the Centerville were able to overcome a sluggish second half to defeat Trotwood-Madison, 36-33, Friday at Centerville Stadium.

Centerville's Jacob Harrison (Mark Pinto/TSF).

Centerville’s Jacob Harrison (Mark Pinto/TSF).

Senior and Navy-bound quarterback Jacob Harrison found senior wide receiver Tim Krapfel in the left-side of the
end zone with just over 39 seconds left to give Centerville a 34-33 lead. A successful two-point conversion extended the margin.

“This was the biggest win in my high school career,” Harrison said. “Games like these separate the men from the boys.”

With 52 seconds left, Centerville (2-2) converted a fourth and one from the Trotwood-Madison 19 yard line after the Rams were called for having too many players on the field. They had 13 between the lines for the crucial play.

Harrison found Krapfel for the go-ahead score on the ensuing play after the penalty was enforced.

“We put in a new package and guys were just running out there,” Trotwood-Madison head coach Jeff Graham said. “I will take that blame, being the head coach.”

The Rams controlled the second half of the game after being down 20-7 at halftime. Trotwood-Madison (4-1) scored a touchdown on its first four possessions after halftime.

The only time the Centerville defense stopped the Rams was on the last possession of the game.

The Rams were led by the rushing attack of sophomore Raveion Hargrove and senior Rondric Bogan. Hargrove finished with 242 yards and three touchdowns, and Brown tallied 211 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries.

For Hargrove this was the third time in four games he has rushed for over 200 yards. The team combined for 493 yards on the ground.

“The offensive line is fighting hard and really worked hard this offseason and that is our identity on our team,” Graham said. “I am very proud of these guys for the first four games. Everybody in the state doubted us, but we have come out here and competed hard and chalked up some wins in tough environments.”

The Rams were able to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit to take their first lead with just under six minutes left in the game.

But after not having a first down in the third quarter the Elks offense answered on a senior running back Caleb Anthony 55-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-25 after the two-point conversion was successful.

On the next possession, the Rams — led by Hargrove and Bogan — took the football 80 yards in eight plays to take the lead 33-28 with just over two minutes left.

That set up the crucial 70-yard drive that culminated in Harrison’s winning touchdown pass, his third TD throw of the game.

It was the second straight week Centerville came from behind to win. Last week, Harrison found Krapfel on a 51-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to give the Elks a 40-35 lead, which was the eventual final score.

“We are starting to make plays,” said the 6-feet-1 Centerville quarterback. “We know how to handle these close games and will help us in the playoffs if we can get there.”

Every game for the Elks has been decided by five points or fewer.

Now Centerville will head to The Pit to play Elder, and Trotwood-Madison will play another GWOC conference game against Lebanon.

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