The Buildup: Although the record might not reflect it, Nate Mahon's Little Miami Panthers (1-5, 1-4 ECC) are showing signs of growth. Every Friday night, the Panthers continue to battle, and this week, the stakes are higher than ever as the Kings Knights make the short drive across the river to Morrow for the annual Backyard Brawl.
In Week 1, Little Miami opened their season with a tough road trip to southeastern Ohio, taking on Division III powerhouse Jackson in front of a capacity crowd. Despite a strong effort, the Panthers fell 21-14. With the game on the line in the final minutes, Little Miami had possession and a chance to tie or win before a costly interception sealed the game for the Ironmen (4-2).
A week later, the Panthers hosted ECC rival Turpin (4-2, 4-1) on Hall of Fame Night in what turned into a thriller. With just minutes remaining and Turpin clinging to a 19-14 lead deep in their own territory, Spartan QB Luke Mileham mishandled a snap, giving the Panthers a golden opportunity. On second-and-7 from their own 18-yard line, quarterback Camden Fox connected with Kings transfer RB Andrew Trapp, who leaked out of the backfield, found the middle seam, and sprinted 81 yards to the end zone — igniting the home crowd and giving Little Miami a dramatic 22-19 lead with 1:38 remaining. But the joy was short-lived.
Turpin responded, methodically marching 65 yards down the field. With just 31 seconds left, senior RB Holden Gerth broke through for the go-ahead touchdown, securing a 26-22 win for the Spartans and handing Little Miami another heartbreaking loss.
In Week 3, the Panthers welcomed the MaxPreps No. 2-ranked Anderson Raptors to Panther Stadium for Military and First Responders Night. Anderson showed why they're ranked among the state's elite, delivering a lopsided 50-7 loss to Little Miami.
But in Week 4, it all came together for the Panthers. Traveling to Walnut Hills, Little Miami forced four turnovers and consistently enjoyed great field position. That, paired with efficient play-calling and standout special teams, led to a dominant 33-0 shutout — the Panthers' first win of the season.
Week 5 brought more fireworks, as Little Miami hosted county rival Lebanon (4-2, 3-2) for the Route 48 Rivalry on Homecoming. After Thursday's parade and before Saturday's dance, the Friday night lights shone on a back-and-forth battle. Despite big plays and a new scoreboard lighting up Panther Stadium, Lebanon pulled away late to win 49-32, retaining the rivalry trophy.
Last week, the Panthers traveled to Forest Park to face the ECC's other Warriors — Winton Woods. In the first half, the hosts were plagued by penalties, but still took a 14-0 lead into halftime. After the break, Winton Woods found their rhythm and stretched the lead to 35-7 in a physical matchup.
Up Next: Now it's Week 7, and another challenge awaits as Mahon's squad hosts conference powerhouse Kings. The Panthers' brutal schedule continues — their first six opponents have a combined record of 23-12, and that rises to 28-13 with Kings included. But throw the records out the window. This is rivalry football.
Kings brings firepower behind senior quarterback Grant Nurre, who ranks second in the ECC with 1,277 passing yards. He'll look to continue spreading the ball to his deep receiving corps. But Little Miami counters with its own playmakers. Look for standout WR Lucas Basta (510 receiving yards) and RB Andrew Trapp — the former Knight — to play key roles in what should be a passionate, high-stakes clash.
The annual Backyard Brawl promises intensity, emotion, and big-time plays. And with a packed crowd expected in Morrow, don't be surprised if the Panthers deliver another gritty performance under the lights.
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