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A few surprise leaders have emerged, but as the halfway point nears, teams will have a much better idea where they stand and what needs done to improve. Here are five things to know going into Week 4:
1. Surprising starts
Four area teams remain unbeaten, but Talawanda and Ross arguably are the most surprising of the bunch, and they look to continue the momentum.
The Braves went 2-8 last year and haven’t had a winning season since 2014, but have made progress under new coach Larry Cox, who resigned from Lakota West after his 21st year in 2017. They’ve started 3-0 for the first time since 1991 and host New Richmond in a non-conference game Friday before beginning Southwest Ohio Conference play next week.
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Ross was 5-5 last year after a 1-9 finish in 2017 and is seeking its first winning season since 2013. The Rams play at Harrison on Friday to open SWOC play.
2. Living up to expectations
Fairfield and New Miami are the two other area teams trying to protect perfect records this week.
Many had high expectations for Fairfield entering this season with JuTahn McClain returning from a record-setting junior campaign, and New Miami was coming off a huge turnaround last year with hopes of building off the program's first playoff berth since 2008 and first Miami Valley Conference championship since 1988.
The Indians play host to Hamilton on Friday in Game 2 of Greater Miami Conference play. The Vikings begin their conference slate Friday at St. Bernard.
3. Butler Bowl
One of the biggest local rivalry games will be played Friday with Fairfield hosting Hamilton in the annual Butler Bowl.
The Indians have won the last five games in the series – they didn’t meet in 2017 – but the Big Blue will be looking to get back on track after suffering their first loss last week, a 33-13 setback against Lakota West.
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»PHOTOS: Week 3, Lakota West vs. Hamilton
West had a 100-yard rusher in David Afari, and Hamilton likely learned a few things that will help them better defend the run against Fairfield – although Afari and McClain are two different types of running backs.
McClain, a speedy and dynamic runner, leads the GMC with 467 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Fairfield also has a quarterback with a decent arm as the passing game led by Sawiaha Ellis can’t be overlooked.
Hamilton’s Quincy Simms-Marshall ranks second in the league in passing yards with 414 yards and Hamilton has two top 10 rushers with Kaleb Johnson and Keyshawn Stephens combining for more than 400 yards.
4. Non-conference rivalry
Badin will be playing former Greater Catholic League Co-Ed foe Roger Bacon on Friday at Hamilton for the first time as non-conference opponents.
Roger Bacon left the league, which it joined in 1931, because of travel and competitiveness issues. The Spartans hadn’t had a winning league record in football since 2010.
The Rams are coming off their first win, a 27-0 victory over Edgewood. They beat Bacon 42-35 in overtime last year. Badin will then face Purcell Marian in Week 5 on the road. Purcell Marian also left the GCL this year.
5. Other players to watch
Lakota East had two 100-yard rushers last week in a 20-14 win over Mason as Tavier Lugo-Flowers (140 yards, one touchdown on 34 carries) and Josh Thornhill (110 yards, one touchdown on 10 carries) both topped the century mark for the first time this season.
The Thunderhawks (2-1, 1-0 GMC) have won two straight since a season-opening loss to Turpin and play host to Middletown (1-2, 0-1 GMC), which seeks to end a two-game losing streak after getting a win over Western Hills to start the year.
Fairfield already has three players with three sacks or more, led by Brandon Smith’s 4.5. L.J. France adds four sacks and Malachi Sanders has three.
New Miami’s defense has some playmakers in Zach Trent (4.5 sacks), Deanza Duncan (three interceptions) and Jose Chavarria (two fumble recoveries).
Franklin senior quarterback Braden Woods looks to get the Wildcats back on track after a 27-20 loss to Xenia. He’s among the area’s most dynamic quarterbacks, rushing for 342 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
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