The Bexley High School football team is preparing for its final game of the season Friday, Oct. 26, at home against Whitehall.

"We know we're both at the same level," senior lineman Andrew Getz said. "They're right down the street and are our rivals. It's one of those kinds of games.

"We have a lot of seniors who have been playing together since sixth grade. Unfortunately, we haven't always tasted success, but we're going to go out and treat it as our last chance to be on the field together and create memories."

The Lions are 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the MSL-Ohio Division following a 28-17 loss at Licking Valley on Oct. 19.

Rasheed Morgan scored on a 4-yard run and Will Gingery kicked a 40-yard field goal to give the Lions a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Luke Groom scored on a 40-yard screen pass from Andre Stewart in the closing minutes.

Stewart was moved into the quarterback role the past few weeks.

"Andre has a good understanding of what we're wanting," coach John Smith said. "The last four weeks our record doesn't show it, but we've actually been improving offensively quite a bit."

The Panthers improved to 6-3 and 5-1.

"We were winning in the first half and in the second half we let it get away," Getz said. "I don't think people realize how close we've been to being a successful team. We've gotten closer to getting those wins than we did the past couple years. Two years ago we weren't in close games and now you can look at a game and see that there was one play here or there that really kept us from winning."

The Rams fell to 2-7 and 1-5 with a 38-20 loss Oct. 18 at Columbus Academy, which is 5-4 and 4-2.

Whitehall's Isaiah Turner scored on a pair of 1-yard runs and Barry Upchurch caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tristen Ritchie.

"I think both teams have a lot to play for," Smith said. "They haven't won as many games as they would've liked to, and I think both teams would like to finish off the year with a win.

"We have to make sure we have everything shored up offensively and defensively. Isaiah Turner is an outstanding tailback with very good size and, defensively, they're athletic and aggressive."

Boys golf team losing five seniors

Coach Jimmy Ryan's boys golf team will lose five seniors following a 145-14 season in which Grant Murphy advanced to the Division II state tournament Oct. 12 and 13 at Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

Murphy tied for 34th (88-86, 174) at state.

The Lions finished fourth (321) in the 12-team Division II district tournament Oct. 3 at Granville Golf Course, behind state-qualifiers East Liverpool (314) and St. Clairsville (315). Murphy shot a 75 to earn one of two individual-qualifying berths for state.

"It was disappointing we didn't make it to state (as a team)," Ryan said.

"We thought we should've last year and we thought we should've this year. It just didn't happen. It will be difficult to move on. I had a friend-like relationship with the guys, more than a coach-athlete relationship."

The seniors were Murphy, Kris Craig, Jack Fowler, Tyler Seckel and Shane Weisman.

Junior Matt Abromsom and freshman Hunter Roberts both saw varsity action.

Roberts is a player Ryan believes "will be one of the best players in central Ohio."

Of the 14 losses, 10 were to Division I programs, and the Lions finished second (18-3) behind Columbus Academy (20-1) in the MSL-Ohio.

Bexley finished ahead of Newark Catholic (14-7), Granville (13-8), Lakewood (9-12), Heath (7-14), Licking Valley (3-18) and Whitehall (0-21).

Fowler and Weisman were first-team all-league. Craig and Murphy were on the second team, and Roberts was honorable mention.

"It was a very solid group," Ryan said. "If you count the sectional and district tournament, we played in 10 invitationals and we won seven of the 10. They were great this year."