The Aces lost two of their first three games, but enter 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the MSL-Buckeye Division.

They fell to Newark Catholic 13-12 on Aug. 23, beat Zane Trace 31-6 on Aug. 29, then lost to Liberty Union 37-7 on Sept. 5.

Since then, they have defeated Bloom-Carroll 21-0 on Sept. 12, lost to Logan Elm 21-7 on Sept. 19 and beat Circleville 17-7 last Friday.

The three losses by Amanda-Clearcreek have come against teams which are a combined 15-3.

Last season Canal Winchester beat visiting Amanda-Clearcreek 27-22.

"Obviously, they're a fantastic program and (coach) Ron Hinton has done a great job there," coach Phil Mauro said.

"They are a storied program with great success in the league and on the state level. They're a tremendous program and we know we'll be in for a great challenge."

Amanda-Clearcreek is led by running back Garren Dilley, who is among the top running backs in the area leaders with 910 yards rushing. He had a 78-yard touchdown run last Friday against Circleville en route to a 201-yard effort.

"Dilley is a strong runner who's really one of the top players in our league," Mauro said.

"They've got a big offensive line in front of him, so stopping him will be a great challenge."

Charged with stopping Dilley will be the front seven consisting of linemen Zack Hitchens, Travis Stevenson and Morgan Tucker and linebackers Ryan Rose, Tyler Steube, Harrison Rosch and O.J. Green. Those players were instrumental in slowing Fairfield Union's Patrick Seesholtz, who gained 135 yards, but 81 of those came on one carry.

While the Indians have cut down on their penalties, the center-quarterback exchange still is resulting in fumbles each game. In their win over the Falcons last Friday, the Indians fumbled twice on the goal line in three plays, the second time turning the ball over to Fairfield Union with less than six minutes left in the game.

Quarterback Justin Whitlatch was under center for those plays but normally operates out of the shotgun. Mauro said he won't hesitate to put Whitlatch under center in the future despite what could've been a game-ending turnover.

"We went with a different center and we just didn't do as well on the exchanges as we wanted," Mauro said. "We've change some things up a bit with personnel and we'll continue to look at it, but we'll put Justin under center again."

•The girls volleyball team played a difficult non-league schedule and it has paid off as the Indians were undefeated in the MSL-Buckeye at 9-0 before last Tuesday's league match against Circleville.

Some of the the Indians' non-league opponents had great records entering last Monday, including Big Walnut (13-2), Olentangy (12-2), Hilliard Davidson (10-6) and Watterson (12-3).

Canal Winchester is atop the MSL-Buckeye Division standings, with Logan Elm in second place at 8-1. The Indians downed the visiting Braves in their first meeting and will travel Saturday for a match which will likely determine the league champion.

"We've played some good volleyball schools and ultimately I think that experience has helped us in the league," coach Colleen Ross said. "You always want to get the 'W' but even when you don't get it, you can still take things away from the losses."

The Indians lost to Olentangy 25-16, 25-16 on Sept. 6, to Watterson 25-14, 25-11 on Sept. 9, to Big Walnut 25-16, 21-25, 25-22 and to Hilliard Davidson 25-18, 18-25, 25-23 on Sept. 13.

Playing those teams helped the Indians improve, according to Ross.

"Blocking was a huge factor in the loss to Olentangy. We didn't have any and they did," Ross said. "Later we played Davidson and Big Walnut and I thought we had a good chance of winning those. But they were morning matches. We came out out a bit flat and we were trying to figure out why. Sometimes, you just need to regroup."

Canal Winchester did regroup for some its best volleyball during league play. Out of the 28 games played in the MSL-Buckeye, the Indians have lost just one and that was Sept. 18 in a 25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 25-17 win over Amanda-Clearcreek.

Including today's match against Hamilton Township, the Indians have four matches left, all of which are in league play.

The Division II district tournament begins Oct. 11.

"(The second round of league play) is tougher because everybody's got everybody's number," Ross said.

"We've all seen each other. You don't want to overlook people because teams do get better and get more prepared.

"From our standpoint, we don't want to be stagnant. We want to continue to get better."

At a glance

Below are recent results and coming schedules for the Canal Winchester boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, boys and girls soccer and girls volleyball teams:

CROSS COUNTRY

Last Saturday -- Boys: Finished second (95) in Division II behind champion Springfield Kenton Ridge (56) at Erin Nance Fall Distance Classic at London. Micah Cobb was eighth in 17:43, followed by Dan Williard (ninth, 17:46), Jarrod Genther (17th, 18:05), Tyler Jenkins (23rd, 18:20) and Aaron Robertson (38th, 18:45). Girls: Finished first (29) ahead of DeSales (74) and London (86). Kaitlin Smith won in 19:07, followed by Emily Pifer (second, 19:17), Penny Boswell (fourth, 20:09), Hannah Spicer (10th, 20:59) and Christy Wildermuth (15th, 21:34).

Saturday -- At Les Eisenhardt Invitational at Thomas Worthington

BOYS GOLF

Last Wednesday --ÊParticipated in Division I sectional at Players Club. The top four teams and individuals advanced to the district tournament Tuesday at Apple Valley.

GIRLS GOLF

Last Wednesday --ÊParticipated in Division I sectional at Links at Groveport. The top four teams and individuals advanced to the district tournament Tuesday at Bent Tree.

BOYS SOCCER

*Sept. 25 -- Defeated Logan Elm 7-0

Last Tuesday -- Played Whitehall

*Today --ÊAt Bloom-Carroll

Of note: The Indians were 6-0-5 overall before last Tuesday and are 3-0-2 in the MSL-Buckeye.

GIRLS SOCCER

*Sept. 25 --ÊDef. Logan Elm 2-0

*Today --ÊHome vs. Bloom-Carroll

Monday --ÊAt Fisher Catholic

Of note: The Indians are 6-3-3 overall and 2-3-1 in the MSL-Buckeye.

*MSL-Buckeye contest

VOLLEYBALL

*Sept. 23 --ÊDef. Teays Valley 25-18, 25-18, 25-18

*Sept. 25 -- Def. Fairfield Union 25-14, 28-26, 25-15

*Last Tuesday -- Played Circleville

*Today --ÊAt Hamilton Township

*Saturday --ÊAt Logan Elm

*Tuesday -- Home vs. Bloom-Carroll

Of note: The Indians were 10-4 overall are 9-0 in the MSL-Buckeye before last Tuesday.

*MSL-Buckeye contest