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David A. Moodie, contributing photographer East St. Louis quarterback Detchauz "Day" Wray grabs the facemask of Middletown's Rashad Frazier Saturday, Sept. 5. The Middies beat the visiting Falcons 27-16.

By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 8:51 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Neither Sycamore coach Scott Datillo nor Middletown coach Jason Krause could explain why the Aviators have had such dominance over the Middies in recent years.

The two teams open the Greater Miami Conference season tonight, Sept. 18 at Barnitz Stadium.

Sycamore (2-1) has beaten Middletown the last three times they have played (2005-07), and owns the overall series lead at 12 wins in 17 games.

The Middies (3-0) last beat Sycamore in 2003.

“I’m expecting to see a really good Middletown team,” said Datillo, who is in his fourth season at Sycamore. “The last time we played them, these seniors were sophomores. We made them one dimensional in that game, but they are a different team now and so are we.”

Datillo described his team as young and inexperienced, but despite a slip up against Springboro, he said, the Aviators have performed well.

“We still have to learn how to play in a big setting against a big-time team,” Datillo said. “Middletown is very athletic and fast and they are playing really good football right now.”

For the Middies (3-0), keeping that undefeated season alive means stopping Sycamore’s DeCarlos Smith, who has 61 carries for 324 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the Aves last two games, including a season-high of 180 last week.

“No. 1, we have to challenge our kids to continue to fly around on defense and stop Smith,” said Krause, who is facing the Aves for the first time as Middies coach. “Second, we have to keep playing fast and physical, and third, we have to keep their offense off the field.

“I know they are very disciplined and hard working kids,” he continued. “They aren’t going to make mistakes or give up big plays or turn the ball over. They make you work for everything you get.”

Middletown has the offensive weapons to combat that. Three rushers — Antonio Banks, Anthony Gregory and Kevin Watts — have more than 100 yards on the ground, and three different receivers — Nick McKnight, Zach Edwards and Watts — have more than 100 yards receiving.

“We have to be patient on offense and take what they give us,” Krause said. “This is a league game and it’s a team that we’ve struggled with recently for whatever reason.”

“Everything gets cranked up now,” Datillo said of opening GMC play. “If anyone has aspirations of winning this league, you have to win this game.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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