Rival MVC squads hungry for a win

A losing streak will end tonight when Cougars, Vikings do battle.

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1:07 AM Friday, October 14, 2011

By Chris Vogt

Contributing Writer

NEW MIAMI — After starting the season with two straight wins, the Cincinnati Christian football team has been fighting to end a streak of losses.

CCS coach David Fulcher sees an opportunity for his Cougars to snap a five-game skid when they face Miami Valley Conference rival New Miami tonight at Mara Field.

“Every game is obviously important, but this game is big for us,” Fulcher said. “There’s a big feat for us to go after, and it’s for our kids to get back on a positive note. This is a good game for them to try and do that.”

There are more telling reasons for Cincinnati Christian (2-5, 0-4 MVC) to crave a victory. The Cougars haven’t won a league game in nearly 10 years of existence, and a win would tie the most number of victories in a season for CCS.

“You talk to them about it being one game at a time,” Fulcher said. “That’s how we’re going to have to look at it going in.”

This one is just as important for New Miami. It’s the Vikings’ homecoming, and they’ve also struggled to find their winning ways.

New Miami (1-6, 0-4) is riding a six-game losing streak.

“It’s going to tell us how we’re going to end the season,” Vikings coach Jim Jewett said. “It’s going to be huge for the kids to want to win on homecoming. If you don’t win on your homecoming, you’re bummed for the rest of the year.”

Fulcher said there’s been a collaborative effort from his Cougars on both sides of the ball this season.

“We’ve got players who just like to go out there and play the game,” Fulcher said.

Senior Tucker Fox, junior Adam Spies and sophomore David Jeffries have been the Cougars’ main threats, Fulcher said.

Junior running back Patrick Martin has been the go-to guy for New Miami all season, but junior Clay Williams recently has given the Vikings a boost to their smash-mouth offense. Jewett also will be looking for big things from senior captain Nick Hayes.

“They’re one of those teams like us — they’re on the fence,” Jewett said of CCS. “They’re a lot better than what their record is. We can’t take them lightly, and we’ve got to be ready for them.”

New Miami beat Cincinnati Christian 49-18 last season, but there are different head coaches on each sideline this year.

And both teams are eagerly looking to bounce back from routs of 21 points or more.

“Our guys are still hanging in there,” Jewett said. “They’re looking forward to this week. They haven’t given up, and that’s a plus.”

Today’s game

Who: Cincinnati Christian at New Miami

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Mara Field, 600 Seven Mile Ave.

Last year: New Miami 49, Cincinnati Christian 18

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