There are four Butler County high school football programs touting 3-0 records heading into Week 4.
According to some, it’s just the beginning. But all numbers aside — Talawanda, New Miami, Fairfield and Ross are looking good right now.
“Speaking for us, we’ve got to limit our mistakes,” Vikings coach Jessie Hubbard said. “The season is still young. We make a lot of mistakes. We break down film, and we are making a ton. We’re staying focused for the most part. If we can clean up some things, the sky is the limit for our guys.”
New Miami (3-0), which received votes in the first Associated Press Division VII state poll that was released earlier this week, travels to St. Bernard (1-2) to kick off Miami Valley Conference play on Friday.
Pacing the Vikings through to this point has been a quick, steady offense and a lock-down defense. New Miami has outscored its opponents 106-6.
“We’ve basically simplified the defense to what they’ve done best at and play at a fast pace,” Hubbard said. “It’s worked well. We’ve preached to get to the ball. Everyone is getting their look at some tackles, and I’m pretty pleased with that.”
Take a look at the rest of the action from around the county:
HAMILTON (2-1) AT FAIRFIELD (3-0) — The Indians, who received votes in the Division I state poll, are right where they want to be as Greater Miami Conference play heats up. Fairfield breezed by Middletown last week, while the Big Blue, who suffered their first defeat of the season against Lakota West, are looking to get back on track in this county rivalry game.
ROSS (3-0) AT HARRISON (2-1) — The Rams are coming in hot off a 34-7 win over Western Brown. But they’ll be going up against a stellar Harrison squad that leans highly on the passing arm of senior Connor Kinnett, who has thrown for 788 yards and six touchdowns.
NEW RICHMOND (1-2) AT TALAWANDA (3-0) — The Brave are playing their best football since 1991, when Talawanda finished 11-1 and reaching the second round of the playoffs. “These guys are working hard,” Brave coach Larry Cox said. “They’re so competitive and they don’t back down.”
FRANKLIN (2-1) AT MONROE (0-3) — Hornets coach Bob Mullins and company are searching for their first win. They’ll be going up against a Wildcats squad that just came off a 27-20 loss to Xenia. Southwestern Buckeye League play also kicks off.
ROGER BACON (3-0) AT BADIN (1-2) — The Rams got the monkey off their back with a sound victory over county rival Edgewood a week ago. Badin senior Alex DeLong carried the team on his shoulders, chalking up some career numbers on the rushing end of the spectrum. Roger Bacon standout running back Corey Kiner will go up against a Rams defense that gave up over 200 yards on the ground in each of their first two games. This contest is at Hamilton.
SYCAMORE (3-0) AT LAKOTA WEST (2-1) — “We got a whole bunch better, but we’re still not playing as smart as we needed to play,” said Firebirds coach Tom Bolden, who last week secured his 77th straight GMC victory which includes his stint at Colerain. Lakota West hosts the Aviators in a highly-anticipated GMC showdown. Sycamore knocked off Princeton 16-13 on a game-winning field goal as time expired last week.
EDGEWOOD (1-2) AT NORTHWEST (0-3) — In the Report’s Radio Network Game of the Week, the Cougars look to recoup from their 27-0 loss to Badin in Week 3 as they go up against Northwest. Leading the way for Edgewood is running back Lincoln Howell, who has 290 yards on the ground and three scores.
PREBLE SHAWNEE (2-1) AT MADISON (1-2) — The injury-stricken Mohawks match up against the Arrows, who have outscored their opponents 102-6 in their last two victories. Madison junior Justin Gray leads the rushing attack with 204 yards and a score.
MIDDLETOWN (0-3) AT LAKOTA EAST (2-1) — “We had plays that were there to be made and we didn’t make them,” Middies coach Don Simpson said of his squad’s 47-7 loss to Fairfield last week. Middletown will look to get things back on the winning end against the GMC and county rival Thunderhawks. Lakota East held off Mason 20-14 in Week 3.
