Bellefontaine and Riverside both picked up victories on the middle school grid this week, with the seventh-grade Chiefs improving to 3-0 after a 46-8 win over Benjamin Logan and the Riverside Pirates remaining undefeated with a 16-12 victory over Covington.
7th Grade — Bellefontaine 46, Benjamin Logan 8
The Bellefontaine Middle School seventh-grade Chiefs continued their strong start to the season Monday night, improving to 3-0 with a convincing 46-8 victory over Benjamin Logan.
Quarterback Hayden C. led the Chiefs through the air with three touchdown passes. Two of the scoring strikes went to Jonathan Harvey, while Dray Lyburtus hauled in the other. Lyburtus also added a rushing touchdown.
Bellefontaine found plenty of success on the ground as Britton Evans and Dustin Rogan each scored two rushing touchdowns.
The Chiefs also made several big plays defensively. Holden James and Jonathan Harvey each recorded an interception, while Gunner Law forced a fumble.
Benjamin Logan’s lone touchdown came from quarterback Trenton Passler, who broke loose for a 64-yard scoring run. Passler finished with 61 rushing yards on 10 carries and completed 6-of-10 passes for 52 yards.
Paxton Storm led the Raiders with two receptions for 21 yards, while Eli Houchin added a 17-yard catch and Matt Angles had two catches for seven yards. Hadrian Balzano added a reception and converted Benjamin Logan’s two-point attempt.
Passler led the Raiders defensively with 5.5 tackles, followed by Chad Johnson Jr. with 4.5 and Hayden Baxley with 3.5. Benjamin Logan recorded 24.5 total tackles, with Passler and Hunter Kibler each recording a tackle for loss.
Angles recorded an interception and a pass deflection, while Passler broke up three passes. Maddox Coleman and Boston Baker each added a deflection.
Balzano also handled punting duties, averaging more than 30 yards on three punts.
Riverside Junior High 16, Covington 12
The Riverside Junior High Pirates remained undefeated Tuesday evening, holding on for a 16-12 victory over Covington.
Khai Johnson and Coy Yelton each scored a touchdown and added a successful PAT to account for Riverside’s 16 points.
The Pirates’ defense limited Covington to two touchdowns and stopped both PAT attempts. Riverside made its biggest defensive stand late in the game, stopping Covington on fourth down at the Riverside 2-yard line to preserve the victory.
The win moves Riverside to 4-0 on the season.
