Ohio Valley Elite Football Club

Outlaws Turn in Valiant Effort in Inaugural Game

The Ohio Valley Elite Football Club’s eighth-grade squad tookthe field for the first time as a unit in a game played at Beavercreek High School on November 13. 

The teams battled deep into the fourth quarter with OVEFC trailing only 6-0 in a defensive battle. A late touchdown over a fatigued Outlaws squad made the final score 14-0 but the kids left the field with their heads held high.

Head coach Mike Rose, who knows a things or two about football after starring for the Alter Knights and Purdue Boilermakers, said the attitude and effort of his team displayed was beyond anything he could have anticipated.

“I was proud of how we flew to the football and the physical, aggressive style we played,” said Rose. “We will make adjustments and learn from this experience.”

League President Fred McDaniels said he has been waiting a long time for this day and was very pleased with how it all turned out.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported us in this endeavor,” he said. “We were all very happy with how things turned out. There were some inexperienced mistakes made out on the field but we will get it figured out.”

Despite not being able to punch the ball into the end zone, the Outlaws showed promise on offense. Quarterback Noah Jones racked up more than 100 yards on the ground while alsocontributing on defense.

“(Noah) was unbelievable in how well he played,” said Rose. “Even though he continued to get hammered he kept giving shots right back at them.”

Kam Eubanks also excelled as well as offensive and defensive lineman C. J. Epps. Many of the 16 players played on both sides of the ball. 

“We have several players who are a force to be reckoned with who have a bright future with not only our club but at the high school and college level. 

The Outlaws next takes the field in at the Rocky Top tournament in Tennessee November 20-21 followed by a trip out west to Las Vegas in early January.

By James Baker

Print journalist