Finally, the Bexley High School football team was able to do something second-year coach John Smith has been preaching since he took over.

And it couldn't have come at a much better time for the Lions as they defeated Granville 21-17 last Friday to improve to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the MSL-Ohio Division. The Blue Aces dropped to 5-1 and 3-1.

"The biggest thing we were able to do was finish," said Smith, whose team will play at Lakewood on Friday. "When they scored (to go up 17-14) we were able to answer."

Lakewood fell to 0-6 overall and 0-4 in the MSL after losing to Columbus Academy 20-2 last Friday. Lakewood took a 2-0 lead when the Vikings snapped the ball out of the end zone on a punt.

Academy, sparked by a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Derek Wolfe, scored all of its points in the second quarter.

"Lakewood has a very solid run defense that has really given a lot of teams fits," said Smith, whose team beat Lakewood 49-19 last season. "That's why they have had some low-scoring games with people this season, but hopefully our kids are now headed in the right direction."

Since 2002, Bexley has beaten only team one team (London in 2003) that finished with a winning record. Granville was sixth in the Division III state poll entering last Friday.

Defensive back Jon Thomas recovered a fumble and had an interception for the Lions, who held Granville to 27 yards rushing.

Seth White, who had been suspended for two games for a violation of team rules, threw for 169 yards and a touchdown and ran for 155 and two touchdowns.

White converted two fourth downs, including a fake punt as he threw a 24-yard pass to Thomas on fourth-and-9 to set up a touchdown.

On the winning drive, White ran for 31 yards on fourth-and-8 from the Granville 39 to set up his 4-yard touchdown run.

The Lions lost Adam Leeds, who had been playing quarterback the past two games, to a shoulder injury.