MONROE — Fenwick senior Hudson Kreke made his mark on both sides of the ball Friday night in what could be the final meeting for the foreseeable future between two longtime neighboring rivals.
Kreke scored three touchdowns and intercepted a pass in the end zone as Fenwick jumped out to a three-touchdown lead and rolled past Monroe 41-20 at the Hornets Nest.
The victory helped the Falcons (1-1) rebound from a 28-26 season-opening loss to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. Monroe (1-1) was coming off a 39-6 win over Loveland in first-year coach Brad Hunt’s debut.
Fenwick coach Fred Cranford said his team responded with a strong week of preparation.
“The kids came out locked in Monday,” Cranford said. “By Wednesday, the intensity was turned up. I told them, ‘48 minutes fast and physical.’ I was proud of what they brought.”
Kreke provided the early spark.
Quarterback McCaffrey Halcomb found Kreke for a 32-yard touchdown with 7:42 remaining in the first quarter. Kreke struck again on a 25-yard end-around with 2:13 left in the quarter to make it 14-0.
DJ Berning extended the advantage to 21-0 with a 35-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter.
Fenwick also controlled possession with extended drives, limiting opportunities for a Monroe offense that scored 39 points in its opener.
“Time management could be our best defense,” Cranford said. “We knew that if we were able to sustain long drives, we were going to milk that clock all the way down to five seconds. You don’t have the ball, you can’t score.”
Monroe finally broke through when Prince Mabasa scored on a 4-yard run late in the second quarter.
The Hornets then recovered a muffed kickoff and appeared to score again when Mabasa took a screen pass into the end zone. A penalty erased the touchdown, and Kreke intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve Fenwick’s 21-7 halftime advantage.
Halcomb connected with Carrson Franklin for a 22-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter before Monroe answered with its biggest play of the night. Mason Reynolds found Jackson Rupp for a 67-yard touchdown to cut Fenwick’s lead to 27-13.
Kreke responded with a 54-yard touchdown run before the end of the quarter, giving the Falcons a 34-13 advantage.
“I just go out and play,” Kreke said. “I just work hard 100%, and I know all of our guys got my back.”
Berning added his second touchdown on a 10-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. Monroe’s Luke Levering scored on a 3-yard run to close the scoring.
Hunt credited Fenwick with finding weaknesses and repeatedly exploiting them.
“Their best defense was their offense,” Hunt said. “They find the couple plays that they’re hurting you with, and they just keep going until you stop it.”
The victory carried additional significance for Fenwick with the series not scheduled to continue next season.
“It’s always personal,” Kreke said. “We wanted to bring it and send a message.”
Monroe hosts Wyoming next Friday. Fenwick travels to Franklin.
Other area results
PRINCETON 28, MIDDLETOWN 7
MIDDLETOWN — Princeton followed its season-opening victory over Moeller with another statement Friday, defeating Middletown 28-7 in Greater Miami Conference play.
Senior quarterback and defensive back Monsanna Torbert accounted for 235 yards of offense and three touchdowns. Torbert completed 15 of 25 passes for 131 yards and two scores and rushed 17 times for 104 yards and another touchdown. He also recovered a fumble defensively.
Tayden Lorenzen added a defensive touchdown as Princeton improved to 2-0. Middletown fell to 0-2 after opening with a loss to Elder.
TALAWANDA 49, MEADOWDALE 0
OXFORD — Talawanda remained unbeaten with a dominant defensive performance, shutting out Meadowdale 49-0 on Friday night.
The Brave improved to 2-0 under fourth-year coach Andy Stuckert after opening the season with a victory over Taylor. Talawanda’s defense posted its first shutout of the season as the offense continued its strong start.
Meadowdale dropped to 1-1 after defeating Independence 8-6 in its opener.
EDGEWOOD 32, MIAMISBURG 28
TRENTON — Edgewood gave coach Matt Root his first victory leading his alma mater, holding off Miamisburg 32-28 in its home opener.
The Cougars bounced back from a 49-20 season-opening loss at Oak Hills and evened their record at 1-1. Edgewood entered the season returning to its traditional Wing-T roots under Root, a former Cougar player.
Miamisburg suffered its first loss and also moved to 1-1.
WAYNESVILLE 28, GREENEVIEW 14
JAMESTOWN — Waynesville continued its strong start with a 28-14 road victory over Greeneview.
The Spartans improved to 2-0 after opening the season with a 20-17 victory over Clinton-Massie. Waynesville has now knocked off two traditionally strong programs in consecutive weeks under coach Ben Johnson.
Greeneview dropped to 1-1.
MIAMI EAST 20, CARLISLE 7
CASSTOWN — Carlisle couldn’t duplicate its explosive season opener, falling to Miami East 20-7.
The Indians entered the game after scoring 43 points against Milton-Union but were limited to one touchdown by Miami East. Carlisle senior running back Alex Collins entered Week 2 after rushing for 125 yards and three touchdowns while adding 98 receiving yards in the opener.
Carlisle fell to 1-1, while Miami East improved to 2-0.
ROSS 57, THURGOOD MARSHALL 0
ROSS TWP. — Ross delivered a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, rolling past Thurgood Marshall 57-0.
The Rams bounced back emphatically from a 28-3 season-opening loss at Wyoming, giving coach Kenyon Commins’ veteran squad its first victory of the season. Ross entered the year with approximately 20 seniors and an offense looking to become more diverse under new offensive coordinator Eric Geiser.
Thurgood Marshall fell to 0-2.
VALLEY VIEW 37, FRANKLIN 0
GERMANTOWN — Valley View controlled Franklin from start to finish Friday, shutting out the Wildcats 37-0.
Franklin dropped to 0-2 and has been outscored 78-7 through its first two games after falling 41-7 to Vandalia Butler in the opener. The Wildcats entered the season replacing a large senior class from the team that rallied to win the Southwestern Division championship last fall.
Valley View improved to 1-1 after losing 37-21 at Coldwater in Week 1.
COLERAIN 41, HAMILTON 7
CINCINNATI — Colerain opened Greater Miami Conference play by pulling away from Hamilton for a 41-7 victory.
The Big Blue fell to 0-2 after a 33-7 season-opening loss at Badin. Hamilton entered Week 2 looking to regain the form that helped it finish the 2025 regular season with three consecutive victories.
Colerain rebounded from its season-opening loss and moved to 1-1.
OAK HILLS 21, FAIRFIELD 0
FAIRFIELD — Oak Hills’ defense shut down Fairfield on Friday, handing the Indians a 21-0 loss in Greater Miami Conference play.
The Highlanders improved to 2-0 and have scored 70 points while allowing only 20 through their first two games. Fairfield fell to 1-1 after opening the season with a 35-25 victory over Wayne.
Oak Hills led 21-0 after three quarters, and neither team scored in the fourth.
MASON 43, SYCAMORE 24
CINCINNATI — Junior quarterback Alex Nagel powered Mason to its first victory of the season, leading the Comets past Sycamore 43-24.
Nagel rushed 19 times for 189 yards and four touchdowns, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry. Mason piled up 319 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground.
The victory moved Mason to 1-1 after a season-opening loss at Springboro. Sycamore fell to 0-2.
LEBANON 42, LOVELAND 7
LOVELAND — Lebanon broke into the win column in convincing fashion Friday, rolling past Loveland 42-7 in Eastern Cincinnati Conference action.
The Warriors dominated after suffering a season-opening loss to Northmont and evened their record at 1-1.
Loveland dropped to 0-2 after losing 39-6 to Monroe in its opener.
LITTLE MIAMI 27, TURPIN 24
CINCINNATI — Little Miami survived its first close test of the season, edging Turpin 27-24 to remain unbeaten.
The Panthers improved to 2-0 after opening with a victory over South Dearborn. Turpin stayed within striking distance throughout before Little Miami escaped with the three-point Eastern Cincinnati Conference victory.
Turpin dropped to 0-2.
WINTON WOODS 35, KINGS 0
CINCINNATI — Winton Woods bounced back from a season-opening defeat in dominant fashion, shutting out Kings 35-0.
Josiiah Jones helped lead the Warriors’ offense and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run that extended Winton Woods’ advantage to 28-0. He also broke loose for a 31-yard gain on fourth-and-11 as the Warriors controlled the matchup.
Kings fell to 1-1 after opening the season with a 34-6 victory over Sycamore. Winton Woods improved to 1-1.
BADIN 42, DIXIE HEIGHTS 13
HAMILTON — Badin continued its impressive start by scoring five first-half touchdowns and rolling past Dixie Heights 42-13 at Matandy SportsPlex.
The Rams led 14-0 after the first quarter and erupted for 21 more points in the second to take a 35-6 advantage into halftime. Badin added another touchdown in the third.
Badin improved to 2-0 and has outscored Hamilton and Dixie Heights 75-20 through two games. Dixie Heights fell to 0-2.
HARRISON 28, McNICHOLAS 0
CINCINNATI — Harrison’s defense turned in a dominant road performance Friday as the Wildcats shut out McNicholas 28-0.
Harrison improved to 2-0 after another impressive showing from a veteran group that entered the season emphasizing strength and physical play.
McNicholas fell to 1-1 and was shut out after scoring 31 points in its opener.
GAHANNA LINCOLN 24, SPRINGBORO 7
GAHANNA — Springboro was unable to build on its season-opening victory, falling to Gahanna Lincoln 24-7.
Springboro’s Maxim Miller accounted for the Panthers’ touchdown and finished with 60 rushing yards while completing 12 of 29 passes for 100 yards. Gahanna Lincoln quarterback Grey Kegley threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score.
John Quartey caught both of Kegley’s touchdown passes and finished with 112 receiving yards. Springboro fell to 1-1, while Gahanna Lincoln improved to 2-0.
BELMONT 38, NEW MIAMI 0
NEW MIAMI — Belmont remained unbeaten with another dominant defensive performance Friday, shutting out New Miami 38-0.
The Bison improved to 2-0 and have yet to allow a point this season after opening with a 29-0 victory over Woodward. Belmont has outscored its first two opponents 67-0.
New Miami fell to 0-2 and is still looking for its first points of the season after suffering a 28-0 loss to Dixie in Week 1.
MADEIRA 27, MADISON 0
MADISON TWP. — Madison struggled to generate offense for the second consecutive week, falling to Madeira 27-0.
Madeira improved to 2-0 and recorded its first shutout of the season. The Mustangs have scored 75 points through their first two games after defeating Shroder 48-8 in Week 1.
Madison fell to 0-2 under second-year coach Evan Crim after opening the season with a 20-13 loss to Preble Shawnee.
