CINCINNATI, Ohio — Three weeks after their first meeting, Miami Valley Christian Academy and Summit Country Day will meet again Friday night at the MVCA All-Weather Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the Lions look to respond from a heartbreaking 28-27 overtime loss to Cincinnati Country Day.
MVCA enters Friday at 4-3, while Summit comes to Newtown at 4-2. Both teams are looking to get back into the win column after losses last week.
The student section theme for Friday night will be Animal Print.
LIONS SHOW GROWTH SINCE FIRST MEETING
MVCA has played some of its best football of the season since facing Summit.
The Lions responded the following week with a 42-8 road victory over Fayetteville-Perry before taking Cincinnati Country Day all the way to overtime on Homecoming night.
Against CCD, MVCA overcame a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit and eventually took a 21-14 lead before the Nighthawks forced overtime.
The Lions answered Cincinnati Country Day's touchdown during the extra period with a five-yard Bryson Jones touchdown run, but an unsuccessful extra-point attempt ended the game, 28-27.
Despite the loss, MVCA produced 311 yards of offense and forced two more turnovers.
DESJARDINS CONTINUES DEVELOPMENT AT QUARTERBACK
The development of DesJardins at quarterback has been one of the biggest differences for the Lions since their first meeting with Summit.
In that Sept. 18 matchup, DesJardins completed 4 of 16 passes for 29 yards while rushing for 45 yards and MVCA's only touchdown.
Three weeks later, the senior is coming off one of his best passing performances of the season.
DesJardins completed 12 of 17 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati Country Day while also rushing 16 times for 67 yards.
Through seven games, he has rushed for 402 yards and six touchdowns and thrown for 464 yards and five scores.
He also began the season as a receiver, where he recorded 180 yards and four touchdowns before moving behind center.
His 10 total touchdowns and 60 points scored rank among the conference leaders.
LIVEZEY EMERGES AS TOP TARGET
Lucas Livezey has become DesJardins' top target in the passing game.
The junior caught both of MVCA's passing touchdowns against Cincinnati Country Day, scoring from 35 and 16 yards out during the fourth quarter.
Livezey finished the game with four receptions for 74 yards.
For the season, he leads MVCA with 24 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns.
He has also been a factor on special teams, giving him a team-high 589 all-purpose yards entering Friday.
AJ Ardizzone has added 139 receiving yards and 160 rushing yards, while Jonah Criste has contributed 115 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards.
SCOUTING SUMMIT
Summit enters the rematch at 4-2 and is coming off a 43-3 loss to unbeaten North College Hill.
The Silver Knights have scored 185 points while allowing 130 this season.
Their offense is led by Fry, who has completed 37 of 70 passes for 525 yards and seven touchdowns.
The biggest threat on the ground has been Minton.
Minton has rushed 58 times for 421 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
Poignard has added 260 yards and three touchdowns on 54 attempts.
Through the air, Braxton Austin leads Summit with 13 receptions for 249 yards, while Korde Williams has caught 12 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Summit also has a weapon in the kicking game with Emmett Hood, who has converted five field goals this season and has accounted for 36 points.
DEFENSE CONTINUES TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
MVCA's defense enters Friday having forced seven turnovers over its last two games.
The Lions intercepted five passes against Fayetteville-Perry before adding two more takeaways against Cincinnati Country Day.
Aiden Frisby recorded an interception against CCD, while Jonah Criste forced a fumble recovered by Judah Walters.
Hans Erickson leads MVCA with 53 tackles this season. DesJardins has 47, while Layton Reeves and Criste each have 46.
Reeves and Zach Holland lead the pass rush with 4.5 sacks apiece.
Livezey has also been a major factor in the secondary with three interceptions.
ANIMAL PRINT NIGHT
Friday's student section theme is Animal Print as the Lions return to the MVCA All-Weather Field for the second straight week.
MVCA is still searching for its first home victory of the season after going a perfect 4-0 on the road.
With only three regular-season games remaining, Friday presents the Lions with an opportunity to earn their fifth victory of the year and show just how much has changed since their first meeting with Summit.
GAME INFORMATION
Summit Country Day at Miami Valley Christian
Friday, Oct. 9
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
MVCA All-Weather Field
Student Section Theme: Animal Print
MVCA enters 4-3 overall, while Summit comes in at 4-2.
