By Doug Harris, Dayton Daily News Staff Writer Updated 2:49 AM Saturday, October 1, 2011

CENTERVILLE — Jimmy Brooks, Centerville’s starting quarterback, didn’t attempt a pass all game.

Janson Matthews, who alternated each series at QB, didn’t need his arm, either — except to tuck the ball and run.

“We didn’t come into the game thinking we were not going to throw a pass,” Centerville coach Ron Ullery said, “but when you’re getting 10 yards per carry, you tell me who’s dumb enough to stop running.”

The Elks rushed for 502 yards on 51 attempts — nearly a double-digit clip — in rolling to a 49-21 win over visiting Fairmont in the Dayton Daily News Game of the Week on Friday.

Brooks notched touchdown runs of 15 and 29 yards and finished with 92 yards on eight carries. Running back Dan McCoy gained 132 yards on 10 runs, while Chris Barr and Michael Hale each rushed to a pair of scores.

Although they had a goose egg in the pass attempt column (Brooks did drop back once to throw but ended up scrambling for yardage), the Elks’ triple-option wreaked devastation. Centerville scored on all five of its first-half possessions while thundering to a 35-7 lead, registering drives of 65, 49, 80, 63 and 57 yards.

“They do what they do and do it very well, pure and simple. That’s why they’ve had so much success the last 20 years,” second-year Fairmont coach Andy Aracri said. “They’ve created a culture here and that’s what we’re in the process of doing at Fairmont — creating a culture of champions. This is a good measuring stick for us.”

Defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo had two sacks for the Elks (3-3, 1-0 GWOC), and linebacker Jake Replogle had three pass deflections to lead the defense. For Fairmont (2-4, 0-1) quarterback Tom West had TD passes to Bryan Prouty, Deven Gannon and Aaron Abbott. Damon Bahns provided another highlight with a 62-yard run.

Brooks said he didn’t mind not needing to air it out and liked his view from the backfield.

“Our line was pretty much taking care of them,” he said.

Asked if foes should still worry about his arm, he smiled and said, “They should definitely be worried.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.