By Greg Billing, DDN Staff Writer

CENTERVILLE — Statistically, the top two defenses in the Greater Western Ohio Conference met Friday, Oct. 9.

“Numbers can be misleading sometimes,” said Centerville High School football coach Ron Ullery, whose Elks played host to the Beavercreek Beavers in the Dayton Daily News Game of the Week.

These numbers, though, couldn’t be disputed: Centerville 42, Beavercreek 12.

The Beavers (4-3) entered the game allowing just 185 yards on defense. The Elks (6-1) nearly had that after one quarter, running up 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns en route to 463 yards in total offense.

“We just had to show we were the top defense in the GWOC,” said Elks senior linebacker Jameal Green, who helped limit the Beavers to 242 yards, just 63 yards more than the Elks allow on average. “I think we all came out focused.”

After winning 37-31 last season, the Elks wanted to make sure this one never got that close.

Senior quarterback Zak Bertram (10 carries, 61 yards) scored two touchdowns in the first nine minutes, and Centerville led 21-6 at the half.

“We’ve got a ways to go to get that challenge,” said Beavercreek coach Scott Clodfelter, whose team fell to 2-34 against Centerville since 1973.

Beavercreek back Gabe Henry, who entered with 863 yards rushing, was held to 23 yards on 13 carries.

“We were getting two, three, four guys hitting the ball carriers on every play,” Ullery said. “We kind of put the game in our players’ hands and said go out and win it.”

Playing in a downpour, the Elks kept the game plan simple. Bertram completed two passes, both to Tristin Boykin, for 84 yards and a score (64 yards).

“You didn’t really feel the cold or the rain until it was over,” said junior lineman Michael Bennett.