Centerville, Graham tip-off … sort of

By Greg Billing | Monday, December 1, 2008, 07:38 PM

It could be one of the best high school boys basketball games this weekend.

It doesn’t count, at least not in the records, but it certainly does matter.

Graham and Centerville close out the area’s OHSAA Foundation games — a statewide service initiative from the Ohio High School Athletic Association — on Friday, Dec. 5 at Centerville High School.

To participate, teams are allowed to play one of five scrimmages under normal game conditions. In return, the schools work on a community service project that is meaningful to their school and community.

Participating schools also use ticket sales to make a $250 contribution to the OHSAA Foundation. Those contributions are then returned to all OHSAA member schools with scholarships, leadership conferences and educational materials.

“This is really tremendous” said Centerville coach Jim Staley. “Win or lose, it will be great preparation for both teams.”

Graham will use the game to raise money for the Mandy Deppen Memorial Scholarship Fund. Centerville will raise money for the Joe Knicely Scholarship Fund.

Graham returns four starters from a team that went 26-1 and reached the Division II state semifinals. Centerville returns the majority of its roster from a 20-3 team that won the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division for the fourth straight season and reached the D-I district final.

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Alter impressed with Big Red’s QB

By Mark Gokavi | Saturday, November 29, 2008, 10:03 AM

CANTON — Alter’s defense spent Friday afternoon trying to keep Dwight Macon down. After defeating Macon’s Steubenville team 21-6 for the Division IV state title at Fawcett Stadium, they spent several minutes pumping him up.

“He’s a real good quarterback,” Alter noseguard David Casella said. “Real shifty. Real fast. We haven’t seen a quarterback like him. But we kept our composure and we went after him.”

Macon, who suffered a dislocated finger on his non-throwing hand, was 11 of 22 for 196 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Good numbers, but not what Macon had done against other teams.

But even with a 21-0 lead, Alter knew Macon was capable. He scrambled often and sometimes hit receivers with across-his-body throws or had long bombs dropped.

“It was scary,” defensive lineman Scott Anderson said. “But if he was scrambling, it meant our DBs had good coverage.”

Macon, a speedy 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior who also plays defensive back, hit Trey Wiggins for a 33-yard touchdown to get within 21-6 early in the fourth quarter. Had Alter’s offense not played keep-away, Macon may have had more of a legitimate chance for a comeback.

Alter didn’t let him do it, but the Knights realized why Steubenville had been undefeated and that Macon returns next season.

“I’d like to compliment Mr. Macon,” defensive end Philip Sowar said. “He’s a heck of an athlete. Whoever goes up against him next year will be in for a game.”

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Alter wins state title, 21-6

By Mark Gokavi | Friday, November 28, 2008, 05:24 PM

CANTON — Alter High School has earned its first state football championship. The Knights controlled the ball, the clock and Steubenville quarterback Dwight Macon and won 21-6 at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium.

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Steubenville drive dies on fourth-and-30

By Mark Gokavi | Friday, November 28, 2008, 05:15 PM

CANTON — The Big Red looked like it might rally, but Alter sacked Steubenville quarterback Dwight Macon on a second-and-15 play on Alter’s 22. The Knights got another sack and survived a fourth-and-30 pass.

Alter takes over at its 36-yard line leading 21-6 with 4:04 left.

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Alter 21, Steubenville 6

By Mark Gokavi | Friday, November 28, 2008, 05:00 PM

CANTON — The Big Red finally got on the board. After dropping a would-be touchdown catch, Trey Wiggins hauled in a 33-yard TD pass from Dwight Macon. Steubenville, though, missed the extra point.

With 9:42 left, Alter leads 21-6.

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Alter 21, Steubenville 0, 10:47 left

By Mark Gokavi | Friday, November 28, 2008, 04:53 PM

CANTON — Chris Borland’s 21-yard run gave Alter a 21-0 lead with 10:47 left in the third quarter. Alter appears to be overpowering the Big Red on the line of scrimmage.

Steubenville doesn’t appear to have much offense other than Dwight Macon scrambling or throwing low-percentage passes.

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After 3 quarters: Alter leads 14-0

By Mark Gokavi | Friday, November 28, 2008, 04:44 PM

CANTON — Alter is in its type of game now.

The Knights have a 14-0 lead and face a fourth-and-2 at Steubenville’s 30 as the fourth quarter is about to begin.

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