CINCINNATI -- Jay Volpenhein and Kyle Blaha have been playing football together since the third grade.
The Anderson seniors are best friends. They've experienced the highs and lows of the Redskins program the past few years -- from a 1-9 record their sophomore season to 7-4 in 2016 and now 4-0 after Friday's 42-28 win over visiting Kings.
Volpenhein and Blaha also give Anderson a potent 1-2 offensive punch that is difficult to match in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
Volpenhein was 21 of 35 passing for 253 yards and three touchdowns Friday night as the Redskins defeated Kings for the first time since the first round of the 2007 playoffs. Anderson won the Division II state title in 2007.
Blaha caught two of those touchdown passes.
"Kyle Blaha had a great evening," Anderson coach Evan Dreyer said.
Volpenhein, who has received NCAA Division II scholarship offers, also rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Blaha rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown.
"It's just all about the chemistry," said Volpenhein. "I think he is a really great player that can play at the next level."
The two attended Immaculate Heart of Mary School on Beechmont Avenue before attending Anderson all four years. They've noticed the support from around the school community.
Anderson football is back.
"We just keep bonding," Blaha said outside the Anderson locker room Friday night. "We've been brothers ever since we've been 5 or 6, playing football together."
PHOTOS: Anderson's exhilarating win over Kings
Anderson, ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Division II state poll, plays at Withrow Sept. 22.
Let's take a look at some other takeaways from Friday night:
Colerain shuts out Sycamore
Colerain extended its home winning streak against Greater Miami Conference opponents Friday night with a 42-0 win over Sycamore. Junior Ivan Pace Jr. rushed for 160 yards and four touchdowns.
"Ivan is what you want in a triple-option fullback," Colerain coach Tom Bolden told WeAreColerain.com. "An athletic and powerful 220-pound kid."
It was the first loss of the season for the Aviators (3-1, 1-1 GMC). The Cardinals (2-2, 2-0 GMC) have won 63 consecutive home games against GMC teams going back to 1999, according to WeAreColerain.com and Colerain Assistant Coach Dan Bolden.
Colerain plays at Hamilton (1-3, 1-1 GMC) Sept. 22.
Mike Daniels captures first win
Princeton coach Mike Daniels earned his first win with the Vikings in a 62-21 victory over host Middletown.
"It was incredible," said Daniels, a former UC and Princeton standout. "It's one we've been waiting for. It's a really good feeling. I'm so happy for our kids because they've been working hard and they've been doing what we've asked them to do. Now, they got rewarded with the victory."
Junior quarterback Hosea Hairston rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another score. Junior Daevon Bryant had 11 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 50-yard run on a 3rd-and-20 situation.
"He ran the ball like a champ," Daniels said.
Senior wide receivers Cecil Singleton and Rafael Floyd also played significant snaps on both sides of the ball and were a big help as defensive backs. Singleton recorded an interception. Princeton (1-3, 1-1 GMC), which played four consecutive road games to open the season, plays its Homecoming Game against Fairfield (2-2, 2-0 GMC) Sept. 22.
"I don't know if anybody in the state opened with four games on the road," Daniels said. "It's good to be back home."
Friday's win over Middletown was the most points for Princeton since a 62-7 win over Western Hills in August 2007.
Strong performance
Wyoming defeated visiting Taylor 69-0 Friday night. The Cowboys have scored 210 points through four games. Sophomore quarterback Evan Prater threw for 183 yards and four touchdowns for Wyoming, ranked No. 8 in the Division IV state poll.
Wyoming (4-0, 1-0 Cincinnati Hills League) plays at Finneytown (0-4, 0-1 CHL) Sept. 22.
Milford defeats Turpin
Junior running back Cameron Kells rushed for 166 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown as Milford defeated Turpin 14-7. "It was a tough win -- two pretty even teams battling it out," Milford coach Tom Grippa said. "We made a few more plays than they did." Grippa liked the way Kells played in the backfield and as a receiver. "He's a complete player," Grippa said. "Our offense kind of runs through him and (senior quarterback Blake King)."
It is believed to be the Eagles' first win over Turpin since the 2000 season, according to Milford Sports Information Director Shawn Sell.
Milford (3-1, 1-0 Easter Cincinnati Conference) plays at Loveland (1-3, 1-0 ECC) Sept. 22.
St. Xavier remains undefeated
The St. X defense allowed just seven points for the second straight week as the Bombers defeated Indianapolis Cathedral 31-7 Friday night. Senior linebacker Blake Bacevich (UC commit) had five tackles, including a sack for St. X. Junior B.J. Ferguson had six tackles. The St. X offense produced 375 yards. Senior quarterback Chase Wolf (Wisconsin commit) was 21 of 30 passing for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Andrew Wittrock had five receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
St. X (4-0) plays Moeller (3-1) at Lockland Sept. 22.
CovCath keeps rolling
Covington Catholic senior quarterback A.J. Mayer (Miami University commit) went 14 of 16 passing for 228 yards and three touchdowns as the Colonels defeated host Beechwood 45-9.
"Our guys were ready," CovCath coach Eddie Eviston told TriStateFootball.com. "Obviously it's a neighborhood rivalry, our guys grow up playing with these guys and everything else, so they came out pumped for this game."
CovCath (5-0) plays at Columbus St. Francis DeSales (3-1) Sept. 22. DeSales is an Ohio Division III program.
La Salle's defense continues to shine
The Lancers allowed just one touchdown defensively -- a 5-yard run early in the first quarter -- Friday night against Scott County. La Salle won the game 28-14. Junior linebacker Brody Ingle had nine tackles including a sack. Senior defensive lineman Zach Rumpke had seven tackles. "The defense is playing well but tell the players there is no carryover," Lancers coach Pat McLaughlin said. "We must prepare each week."
La Salle (4-0) plays host to Winton Woods Sept. 22.
What a start
Fairfield outscored visiting Lakota East 27-0 in the first quarter Friday night en route to a 48-14 win. Junior quarterback Jeff Tyus was 13 of 18 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Juthan McClain had 18 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Senior defensive back Rudy Jones had a team-high eight tackles. The Indians (2-2, 2-0 GMC) have won two straight games and are No. 8 in the Joe Eitel unofficial computer points standings in Division I, Region 4.
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