by Mitch Hughes

After starting the season 0-2 with tough losses to Miamisburg(38-10) and Xenia(28-14), it appeared as if the football team was in for a challenging year. A start like that would be discouraging to many, but our Golden Eagles looked at the rough start as a wake-up call. Putting those defeats behind them, the team put in the extra effort in practice and aimed for victory as they took on Buckeye Valley, a team near Columbus. Not knowing what to expect, playing a team most players had never even heard of, the BHS football came home with their first W of the season, thanks to a game-winning field goal from kicker Chase Sawyer.

Although things were looking slightly better, the team knew that they would have to continue their progress to have a shot in the next few games. At this point they had yet to play a league game and the true test came with a home game in which they played Brookville. The Eagles trailed the majority of the game until quarterback Alex Fryman found wide receiver, Alec Campbell, open for a big touchdown that would put the team up 17-14 until the final horn sounded. Now 2-2 with two road games ahead, the Eagles had more than hope: they had a real chance. They would surprise Eaton on their Homecoming night with a 31-28 victory made possible by a field goal from Sawyer after coming back from a 0-21 halftime deficit. Eaton was the first of two homecoming games that they would disrupt. The following week they played Valley View, a team that was sure to be a contender for SWBL champ. Not only did Bellbrook win at Valley View, but they showed everybody that Bellbrook was truly a force to reckon with an astonishing 33-0 victory over Valley View.

Now 4-2, its obvious that the tables have turned for Bellbrook, but there are still 4 very important league games remaining in the season. Defensive Back, Nick Barhorst, says, “Well, first off, I think we practiced harder and prepared more for each game. We also had more confidence in our game plan and in our own abilities,” when asked what helped them go from a two game losing streak to a four game winning streak. Barhorst also says, “Each game will be tough, but this weeks game against Franklin and the Monroe game will be our toughest games and our preparation during the week will give us a competitive edge to win those games,” looking ahead for the rest of the regular season.