DeBord, Elks buck Lakota West

CENTERVILLE, Oh – Centerville defeated Lakota West 52-35 Thursday night to bounce back after their 13-6 loss to Fairfield the week prior.

After a slow first quarter where Centerville finished the period atop 7-0, both offenses found their grooves combining for 80 points the rest of the way.

Centerville ATH Colin DeBord (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

The first half looked as if the Elks were going to dominate. With 7:22 left in the second quarter Centerville jumped out to a 21-0 lead.

Lakota East got on the board before halftime, however, and the teams went into the locker rooms with a score of 21-7.

Out of halftime the game looked like it would be much of the same ― Centerville domination.

The Elks’ defense picked off Lakota West’s senior quarterback Tony White III on the first possession of the half and then turned it into points, going up 28-7.

The interception was one-of-three Centerville had on White for the game.

“The pressure up front was key,” said Centerville’s head coach Rodney Roberts. “I thought we did a nice job of getting to them tonight, in the run game and in the pass game…Anytime you get pressure it’s going to create opportunities.”

Despite Centerville looking as if they were in control, Lakota West would not go away.

After the Elks went up 35-14 with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter, the Firebirds scored two-straight touchdowns to pull within one possession early in the fourth quarter.

“When you play at this level of football you’re going to be in battles like that, that momentum is going to swing back and forth,” Roberts said. “We talk about facing that adversity all the time, we just want to keep battling. Don’t get caught watching the scoreboard, don’t get caught watching the clock, just keep fighting, play it one play at a time.”

Centerville was able to keep its composure as they scored 17-straight points to ice the game.

Senior quarterback Colin DeBord made some damage for Centerville Thursday using his legs.

“Colin had a great game, he’s a great talent,” Roberts said. “We really put a lot of pressure on our offensive line and our running game in general, and obviously Colin is a big part of that. So I am really proud of Colin for his performance.”

DeBord rushed for 217 yards on 19 rushes and scored three touchdowns on the night.

“The o-line was unbelievable, there were big holes all night,” DeBord said. “I can thank the o-line and the receivers for the great blocking.”

Another big performer for the Elks was running back Mason Kuhr.
Kuhr ran for 71 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns ― one being on a 95-yard kickoff return.

Centerville’s next game is 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 against Pickerington North High School.

“Pick-North is going to be another tough game,” DeBord said. “Just like this week we have to get mentally and physically prepared to go in and get another W.”

Lakota West’s next game is 7 p.m. Sept. 9 against Wayne High School.

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