MORROW -- Kickoff: 7 p.m. Eastern.
    Setting the scene: The Little Miami Panthers varsity football team welcomes former SWOC rival Talawanda into Morrow for a 2021 Week 2 nonconference matchup. The Panthers have great momentum entering the game after an exciting 33-3 route over Goshen in Week 1. This is also the last contracted game between the two schools for the foreseeable future.
    "Overall, I thought we played well at in all facets of the game last week," said Little Miami head coach Caleb Jones. "Our offense generated more than 400 yards of production and 33 points, while the defense held Goshen's wishbone to only 197 yards of total offense and just three points. Any time we can generate offensive production like that, while also keeping the opponent under 17 points ... We should have a chance to win the game."
    For Talawanda, the Brave limp into Week 2 after suffering a 49-14 setback on the road at Monroe in Week 1. The Brave are coached by first-year head coach Jay Volker.
    The most important drive of the game: Most coaches will tell you, the first drive of the second half is many times the most critical of the game. Friday night, the visiting Panthers took a 13-3 halftime lead into the locker room, and were also due to receive the second half kickoff. On the Panthers first offensive play in the third quarter, QB Aidan Jones set up in the shotgun from the Panthers own 19 yard line with a trips left formation called from the huddle, and an aggressive "All-9's" route called. Jones again found WR Grant Maupin moving vertically up the hash. Maupin hauled in the Jones pass while extended the play, and 51-yards later Little Miami found themselves within striking distance of scoring. Just three plays later, offensive coordinator Rob Begley dialed up a QB lead zone and Aidan Jones walked in for 3-yard TD. 
    No man's land: With Little Miami leading 20-3 late in the third quarter Friday night, head coach Caleb Jones was forced to make a critical decision at an important juncture in the game. The Panthers were facing a fourth-and-eight situation on the Goshen 43 yard line. Although Lucas Swierk was 3-for-4 against Goshen in PAT tries Friday night and has great FG range, a 60-yard FG attempt would be questionable. Of course, the Panthers could have also taken a more conservative approach and punted, too. But Jones chose to dial up the arm of senior QB Aidan Jones. 
    With 10 personnel on the field and a trips formation flanked to Jones' left, Jones dropped back in a 5-step drop and found streaking slot WR Grant Maupin. At this point, the risk of an interception would yield about the same result, if not better field position than a punt. However, an outstretched Maupin reeled in the Jones pass and moved the chains to the Goshen two yard line. One play later, sophomore RB Will Rom cutback off an inside zone call and put the Panthers ahead 26-3 going into the final stanza.  
    ECC individual leaders: Senior QB Aidan Jones ranks No. 4 in the ECC with 216 passing yards. Junior WR Grant Maupin ranks No. 7 in receiving with three catches for 103 yards (34.3 avg.), and fellow junior WR Brayden Bischoff ranks No. 9 also grabbing three catches for 54 yards (18.0 avg.). Senior RB Ashton Middlekamp resides in the No. 6 position with 72 rushing yards, while also adding a rushing and a receiving TD at Goshen last week.  
    Tickets: Presale tickets are only available online at littlemiamipanthers.com. Students in grades K-12 are $6 (until 3 PM on Friday), and adults are $8. Online transaction fees apply. Tickets will also be available for cash purchase at the entry gate. Cash purchases are $8 for all ages.
    Weather: It's going to be a hot one! Weather predictions are partly cloudy with a high of 90 degrees, and a 30-percent chance of precipitation.
    Uniform watch: The Panthers are scheduled to wear their black jersey and white pants. New for 2021 is the Panthers helmet design. Although the white and silver flake is the same this season, the green fading our the lower rear portion of the helmet is new, along with the larger panther paw-print on the left side of the helmet.
    Special guests at the game: Middle School Football Night.

Little Miami Football Week 2 Release
Little Miami Football Roster
Talawanda Football Roster
Online Ticket Link