But Kiner also has a high ankle sprain and didn’t play last weekend against McNicholas, and with the Spartans (2-2) coming to Fairfield Stadium to face Badin (3-1) on Friday, the Rams are interested to hear about how he’s doing.
“We’re preparing for him to play,” Badin coach Nick Yordy said. “He’s something pretty special. He’s a pretty thick kid, and he’s fast. When he gets going north and south, he can be dangerous.”
The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Kiner has 506 yards and eight touchdowns on 72 carries. He ran 35 times for 302 yards and five TDs in a Week 2 win over Western Hills.
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Spartans coach Mike Blaut said he’s expecting Kiner to play Friday, but doesn’t know how close to 100 percent he’ll be.
“He’s looked good on some things in practice and struggled on others,” Blaut said. “When he’s healthy, he’s the real deal. He’s the first back I’ve ever coached that can do everything. He can outrun guys. He can stop on a dime. He can run you over. When he’s in the game, he can make a difference.”
No other Bacon runners have accumulated 75 yards on the ground this season. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Bullock (6-1, 235) has converted 21 of 36 passes for 256 yards and three TDs with no picks.
Junior Stan Hart (6-0, 180) and sophomore Mykael Carson (5-11, 215) are the Spartans’ middle linebackers. Blaut said senior Chris Kugele (6-1, 220) and sophomore James Thompson (6-4, 210) are quality ends.
Bacon opened the year with victories over Reading (21-13) and Western Hills (47-12), then lost to Indian Hill (45-19) and McNick (31-14).
“If we stop the run, I think we’re in business,” Blaut said. “It’s interesting that Badin’s back to their old smashmouth ways. I think Coach Yordy learned from Coach (Terry) Malone pretty well. Our defense is better at stopping the run, but we’ve got to be real good with it against these guys.”
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The Rams are collecting 271.5 rushing yards per game, led by senior Lavassa Martin (53 carries, 499 yards, seven TDs). Junior Davon Starks has done well running (48 carries, 266 yards, four TDs) and catching (eight receptions, 181 yards, three TDs) the ball.
“Starks has been a great player for us,” Yordy said. “We thought he could be a playmaker. I think teams are going to start loading up the box on us, and he gives us a little bit of a threat down the field.”
Badin has already surpassed its win total from last year’s 2-8 campaign.
“We’ve talked about just enjoying the moment,” Yordy said. “Enjoy it that night, but then it’s over and we’ve got to get back to work and keep focusing on ourselves and what we’re doing.”
The Rams lead this series 28-27-2. They’ve won the last six meetings and 10 of the last 11.
Friday’s game
What: Roger Bacon (2-2, 0-1 GCLC Central) vs. Badin (3-1, 1-0 GCLC Central) at Fairfield, 7 p.m.
Where: Fairfield Stadium, Ohio 4 and Stadium Drive, Fairfield
Last year: Badin won 28-14
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