Prep Football Notes: Cedarville breaks through for first win vs. Mechanicsburg

A pass intended for Northeastern's Mitchell Binkley gets broken up by Cedarville's Stefan Biddinger (42) and Troy Parrett (84) during a game in 2010.

Staff photo by Randy Hilt A pass intended for Northeastern's Mitchell Binkley gets broken up by Cedarville's Stefan Biddinger (42) and Troy Parrett (84) during a game in 2010.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 8:34 AM Tuesday, October 4, 2011

CEDARVILLE — Last week, Austin Steward told his Cedarville High School football team it was better than its 0-5 record indicated.

“I kept telling the kids we’re one of the best 0-5 teams, if not the best 0-5 team in the state of Ohio,” Steward said. “They didn’t play like an 0-5 team.”

Last Friday, the Indians won their first game of the season, surprising then Ohio Heritage Conference co-leader Mechanicsburg 28-14. It was the first time they’d beaten Mechanicsburg (3-3, 2-1 OHC) since 2001, but they were more excited to earn their first win of the season.

“It was good for the kids,” Steward said. “We’ve been close all year. Stat-wise, we’ve been better than the teams we’ve played most weeks, we just haven’t been able to score.”

The Indians (1-5, 1-2 OHC) lost 14-12 to Cincinnati Christian in Week 2, turning the ball over five times. In Week 3, they lost to Paint Valley 18-14 and had more than 100 penalty yards.

“We challenged our seniors to take more of a leadership role. They stepped up and answered the bell,” Steward said.

On Friday, they had just one turnover and four penalties in the win over Mechanicsburg.

“It was a culmination of all of those things coming together,” Steward said.

Senior running back Stefan Biddinger had four touchdowns.

“He’s in a position to make plays for us, and he filled that role,” Steward said. “We had some blocking in front of him, and that helped, too.”

The Indians travel to Southeastern (3-3, 0-3 OHC) on Friday.

“It’s another big rivalry game for us,” Steward said.

Big game: The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week for unbeaten Shawnee (6-0, 1-0). They’ll travel to face Tecumseh (5-1, 1-0) in a Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division showdown.

Last year, the Braves beat the Arrows 35-21.

GWOC leader: After six weeks, Springfield receiver Titus Montgomery leads the 18-team Greater Western Ohio Conference in several categories including receptions (40), receptions per game (6.7), receiving yards (584) and receiving yards per game (97.3).

State poll: Tecumseh (5-1) is ranked for the first time. It’s 16th in Division II.

Shawnee (6-0), which was 18th two weeks ago and not ranked last week, is 13th this week in D-III.

Kenton Ridge suffered its first loss and fell from 15th to 16th.

West Liberty-Salem (6-0) was 13th last week in D-V, but is not ranked this week.

Catholic Central (4-2) was not ranked last week, but is 11th this week in D-VI.

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