By Marc F. Pendleton, DaytonDailyNews.com Staff Writer 11:32 PM Saturday, November 5, 2011

MIDDLETOWN — Their backs against the playoff wall, Centerville High School’s football team went into full-bore overdrive the last six weeks.

The result was a stunning display of an offense that couldn’t be stopped backed by a mostly shutdown defense.

“We had the mind-set where we pretty much had to win out to be where we were at,” running back Dan McCoy said. “We set our eyes on the prize and went after it and got it. We had full expectations of seeing how far that we could get in these (playoff) rounds.”

The Elks’ playoff trail abruptly ended Saturday night with a crushing 28-10 setback to host Middletown at Barnitz Stadium.

Centerville (7-4) was the only area Division I team to crack the Region 4 field. Combined with Troy’s 21-20 overtime loss at Upper Arlington in Region 3, the area is out of D-I teams after the first week of the postseason.

The eighth-seeded Elks had scored 49 or more points five times in their six-game winning streak. But all those offensive fireworks were extinguished by a determined Middies defense. The Elks’ ground game that had consistently
averaged more than 400 yards produced just 86 on 51 carries.

“They just kept stopping us,” junior QB Jimmy Brooks said. “They were really skilled.”

None more so than junior QB Jalin Marshall. A national recruit, Marshall speared Zach Edwards with touchdown strikes of 27 and 12 yards. Marshall also dashed 72 yards through and around the Elks’ defense. That accounted for a good chunk of his game-high 135 yards rushing.

“You’re playing with fire with him,” said Centerville coach Ron Ullery. “He’s explosive. It’s tough to contain him 10 out of 10 plays.”

Centerville led 3-0 on a 26-yard field goal by Jason Kaczala. The Elks were in good position to pile on early after recovering Middies’ fumbles on their next two possessions. But Centerville couldn’t take advantage and top-seeded Middletown (10-1) scored 28 unanswered points.

“I’ve been in that situation in terms where you’re playing for your playoff life from Week 4 on,” said first-year Middletown coach Troy Everhart, who previously led Winton Woods to a state title. “When you get there it’s like, wow, you’re there. And then everything goes against you.”