Xenia's Final Home Game Was A Loss

            For some, the night of Friday, October 25, 2013, will forever remain a very special night. Tonight is Senior Night. For several Xenia High School (XHS) Buccaneers’ Football Players, this will be the final time in which they play a football game for XHS. For some, this will be the final organized, football game that they will ever play for the rest of their lives. While some of them will go on to play football at the collegiate level, others will not. Those who do not play college football will either move on to another college sport, enroll in the military, get married, go to college and play no sports, etc. There are many avenues which their lives will take. However, one issue is quite certain. All of the hard work over the years has culminated into this very night. After tonight, no more will the Seniors put on a Buccaneers’ uniform, and perform before the Xenia Community Schools’ Nation. Throughout the past four years, each of the seniors has his/her own unique story to tell. Up until tonight’s game, the Senior Football Players will have had nineteen, previous opportunities to take the field at Cox Stadium. Of course, I fully realize that they may have not played in all nineteen home games. Regardless of the number of games played, these Seniors have all had different, various experiences on the grass of Veterans Field. No matter if the experiences were good or bad, each game has its place in the hearts & minds of each individual Senior. How one player feels about a game can be vastly different than how another player feels. There is nothing wrong with those types of scenarios taking place.

            Before the game officially started, the Senior Football Players, Cheerleaders, Band Members and their respective families were introduced to the crowd of spectators. They all walked from the Visitor’s sideline to the Home’s sideline. For the families, this occurrence had to be both a proud and sad process. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not trying to say that anything bad has taken place. Nothing bad has taken place. What I am saying is simply this. For years throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school, these families have had to sacrifice so much blood, sweat, and tears. So much time has had to be sacrificed as well. In order to mold the Senior Football Players into the athletes which each has become, the families (especially the parents or guardians) have played a major role. Some people would disagree with me saying that. Those same people would say that type of role is solely reserved for coaches. I wholeheartedly disagree with that way of thinking. While I completely understand that coaches play vital roles in the development of any athlete, I also understand the following. Coaches only spend so much limited time with athletes. Families spend most of any athlete’s breathing existence with that athlete. Coaches are in an athlete’s life for a limited period of time. Family members will forever be in an athlete’s life.

            XHS was the first team to start on offense. For some unknown reason, Buccaneers’ Starting Quarterback Danny Naylor did not start the game. Instead, the Buccaneers went with Junior Quarterback Joey Anderson as the starter. Naylor would later come into the game. On its first offensive drive, the Buccaneers were not able to get much going. After a couple of rushing plays and pass completion, XHS’s Punter Kole Patterson was forced to punt on 4^TH Down. After the Springboro High School (SHS) Panthers took over, their offense was pretty much limited as well.  However, from the start, one issue was quite evident. The Panthers were going to mix up their play selection. Their rushing plays went for limited yardage gains. Panthers’ Starting Quarterback Elijah Cunningham did complete a pass for a 1^ST Down. However, his other pass attempt was incomplete. Springboro’s opening, offensive drive only consisted of the Panthers moving the ball a total of 14-Yards. This drive was a great way for Xenia’s Defense to begin the game. It was a huge confidence booster. On 4^TH Down, DL Knock was forced to punt.

            On the Buccaneers’ next offensive drive, the Panthers’ Defense came up big once again. For the second consecutive drive, Xenia’s Offense went 3 plays-and-out. On 4^TH Down, Patterson was forced to punt again. After getting the ball back, Springboro’s Offense was able to get things going in a positive direction. On 1^ST Down, Panthers’ Running Back Joe Kylin immediately got the offense rolling. Kylin quickly dashed down the field for a 19-Yard rushing gain. After another rushing play, Cunningham began to heat up. He was able to complete two first-down passes. However, the second completion was hampered by a penalty against the Panthers. That penalty did not deter Cunningham and/or the Panthers’ Offense. The offense immediately rushed the ball three straight times. Another penalty interfered with the drive. The Panthers were called for a Holding Penalty. Once again, the Panthers did not allow a penalty to negate the successful movement of its offensive drive. A Cunningham pass completion to Knock gave Springboro a 1^ST Down and 10 on Xenia’s 15-Yard Line. With 1:00 to go in the 1^ST Quarter, Cunningham completed another 1^ST Down pass to Knock. With 25.2 seconds remaining and a 2^ND Down and Goal on the Buccaneers’ 1-Yard Line, Cunningham ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Charlie Kuhbander’s Extra Point Kick was blocked. The Panthers led the Buccaneers 6-0.

            At this point, Naylor checked into the game for the Buccaneers. He ended the 1^ST Quarter with a pass completion to Buccaneers’ Wide Receiver Khiyani Harris. The completion went for a first down. On this drive, two penalties committed by the Panthers along with a long rush by Buccaneers’ Running Back Khalil Capers allowed Xenia’s Offense to move the ball deep into Springboro’s territory. After a short-yardage rush by Buccaneers’ Running Back Ray James, Naylor attempted two passes. One of the passes went into the end zone to Harris. However, both pass attempts were incomplete. At 10:38 of the 2^ND Quarter, the Buccaneers had to settle for a Patterson Field Goal. Once the attempt was good, Xenia trailed Springboro 6-3. On this drive, the Buccaneers’ season-long “Red Zone Troubles” continued. Time after time throughout the season, Xenia has put the ball into their opponent’s red zone. On most occasions, the Buccaneers have struggled to get the ball into the end zone. They have either had to settle for field goal attempts or no points at all. On some occasions, the field goal attempts were no good. After a long kickoff return, the Panthers had a 1^ST Down and 10 on their own 47-Yard Line. On this drive, Cunningham started to take control of the game. His rushing & passing ability took Springboro’s Offense deep into the red zone. At 6:24, on 3^RD Down and Goal from Xenia’s 6-Yard Line, Cunningham completed a touchdown pass to Panthers’ Wide Receiver Patrick O’Gara. After the Extra Point Kick was completed, Springboro now led Xenia 13-3.

            The Buccaneers’ Offense did not respond well to the Panthers’ score. Once again, Xenia committed another 3 plays-and-out. Springboro’s Defense was completely stifling the Buccaneers’ Offense. The Buccaneers’ Offensive Deficiencies were becoming a problem, and the Panthers made them pay. The Panthers immediately went to the ground game. Then, Cunningham’s arm once again took over. He completed one pass. Then, he had an incomplete pass. After the incomplete pass, Cunningham then completed three, straight passes. The third and final pass completion took place with 2:12 remaining in the 2^ND Quarter. It was a 36-Yard Pass Completion to Panthers’ Tight End Jordan Rigg for a touchdown. Kuhbander’s Extra Point Kick Attempt was good. The Panthers now led the Buccaneers 20-3. The Buccaneers’ next offensive drive was completely horrendous. Springboro’s Defense completely dismantled Xenia’s Offense. Due to rushing plays for negative yardage and an Illegal Procedure Penalty against Xenia, the Buccaneers were left with a 4^TH Down and 29 on their own 1-Yard Line.  They were forced to punt the ball. After a short time period of possession for the Panthers’ Offense, the Buccaneers’ Offense received the ball again. However, they were unable to get any momentum going. The game’s 1^ST Half ended.

            After halftime, Springboro started out the 3^RD Quarter with a long kickoff return. The Panthers’ Offense started at Midfield (50-Yard Line). Their rushing attack took them to Xenia’s 25-Yard Line. The Panthers were then faced with a 4^TH Down and 6. Instead of attempting a field goal, the Panthers’ Offense stayed on the field. That decision paid off dividends. At 9:49, Cunningham completed a touchdown pass to Knock. The play was spectacular. Knock caught a beautiful-looking over-the-head pass. Kuhbander’s completed Extra Point Kick put the Panthers up 27-3. On the ensuing drive, the Buccaneers’ Offense finally responded well to a Panthers’ score. The Buccaneers’ Offense began on their own 14-Yard Line. Behind the rushing ability of Running Back Avondre Jackson and a key 4^TH Down Pass Completion by Naylor to Harris, the Buccaneers’ Offense drove the ball all the way down the field. At 5:46, the Buccaneers were faced with a 4^TH and Goal on the Panthers’ 1-Yard Line. With a touchdown run, Jackson finished off the 86-Yard Drive. Patterson’s Extra Point Kick was good. The Buccaneers now trailed 27-10. Springboro’s next offensive drive was only a quick two plays. First, Cunningham completed a 59-Yard Pass to Wide Receiver John Luke Arrington. Then, at 5:00, Kylin rushed the ball into the end zone for a 9-Yard Score. Kuhbander’s Extra Point Kick put the Panthers up 34-10. The Buccaneers’ were completely stunned.

            The Buccaneers immediately struck right back. On the first play from scrimmage, Jackson ripped off a 44-Yard Run. Xenia continued to utilize its rushing game. However, it only managed to gain them 5-Yards. At 2:04, the Buccaneers were faced with a 4^TH and 15 on Springboro’s 30-Yard Line. Naylor threw a pass into the end zone. To the Buccaneers’ dismay, the pass was incomplete. On the ensuing drive, Springboro’s Offense was unable to get anything going. On 4^TH Down, the Panthers were forced to punt. In return, Xenia’s next offensive drive went nowhere. Once again on 4^TH Down, they were forced to punt. On the Panther’s next offensive drive, Kylin’s legs took over. The Panthers started the drive on their own 37-Yard Line. Kylin rushed the ball deep into Buccaneers’ territory. At one point, he even had a 29-Yard Run. At 7:01 of the 4^TH Quarter, the Panthers were faced with a 3^RD and 1 on the Buccaneers’ 1-Yard Line. Kylin finished the drive off with a touchdown run. After Kuhbander’s Extra Point Kick was good, the Panthers took a commanding 41-10 lead. The Buccaneers answered right back. Capers returned the ensuing kickoff 80-Yards for a touchdown. Sabrina Gregory’s Extra Point Kick made the score 41 (Springboro) – 17 (Xenia). For Xenia, Capers' score was too little, too late. Springboro would go on to win the game 41-17.

            Although Senior Night was not a success, I still have a message for all of the Buccaneers’ Graduating Seniors (Football Players, Cheerleaders, and Band Members). Thank You So Very Much, For Everything Which You Have Contributed To Both Xenia Community Schools & Xenia High School Over The Past 4 Years. All of your contributions (in and out of the classroom) are very much appreciated. They mean a whole lot to the entire community, and they will never be forgotten. I wish each and every single one of you all the very best of luck in all of your future endeavors.