What a difference a week makes.
One week after struggling in a loss to Fairborn, the Tecumseh Arrows football team had some huge plays on both sides of the ball, en route to a 21-19 win over Butler at Spitzer Stadium on Friday night.

“It was a great win for the team, bouncing back from the tough loss last week,” said Tecumseh football coach Kent Massie.  “We made some great progress from week one to week two.  Their nerves settled down and we got better.”After both teams punted on their opening possessions, the Arrows started a drive that would land them deep inside Aviators territory.  They gained three first-downs on the drive, and moved the ball inside the Butler 20 yard line.
On fourth down, Tony Evans fumbled on a quarterback keeper and the Arrows turned the ball over on downs.
Not to be outdone, the Aviators moved the ball on their next possession, which included a big late hit penalty against the Arrows.  Tecumseh’s defense held, as consecutive passes were dropped, including a fourth down attempt from the Arrows 23 yard line.
Butler came back on their next possession to break the scoreless tie on a 15-yard scoring run by Devontre Burks.  During the drive, Tyler Jones also had a huge 37-yard gain to set the Aviators up in Arrows territory.
The score came on a seven-play drive, taking over two minutes off the clock, and Butler led 6-0.
A huge return by Mike McKee on the ensuing kickoff put the Arrows at the Butler 33 yard line, where they went to work from there.
Zeke Eier picked up a key first down during the drive, then Evans hit Codi Frank with a big 20-yard pass, as the Arrows sat at the Butler four yard line.
With 1:23 left in the first quarter, Eier scored on the next play, giving the Arrows a 7-6 lead.
Butler had just over a minute to try to answer, and they nearly did.  A 25-yard run by Burks started the drive, and a later third down run by quarterback Ryne Pugh took the ball to the 16 yard line.
As time expired in the first half, a field goal attempt was blocked, allowing the Arrows to keep their one point lead at the half.
Tecumseh opened the second half with a big defensive stand, including a big tackle for loss by Tyler Perry.  After forcing Butler into a poor punt, their offense took over the Aviators 23 yard line.
McKee made consecutive runs, landing him inside the five yard line.  Eier then finished the scoring drive with a three yard touchdown, giving the Arrows a 14-6 lead with 9:04 left in the third period.
Back they came on their next possession, starting at their own 25 yard line.  Tecumseh saw two big plays penalized, with the second one costing them a big first down. Eier answered that with a huge 18 yard gain, sending the Arrows into Butler territory.
Tecumseh scored on a 15 yard run by McKee with 2:10 left in the third period, and the Arrows increased their lead to 21-6.
“The kids were playing Tecumseh-style football, and it was good to see that,” Massie said,  “We had some big plays in all aspects of the game.”
Butler came storming back and struck with a 30 yard scoring pass as the third quarter ended, cutting the Arrows lead to 21-12.
Tecumseh fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, but it was a great fourth down defensive play that preserved the lead.  On a fourth and goal from the Arrows four yard line, the Aviators tried to pass to the endzone, but a deflection by Logan Crockett preserved the lead. 
Butler did score late, but the Arrows held on for their first win of the year.
“This win has to be among the top five in all my years here,” Massie said.  “This was such a huge win for this team and the program.  It was one of the biggest upsets we have had.”
“They were bigger than us, faster than us, but not tougher than us.”
Tecumseh travels to Miami Trace on Friday for a 7:30 game.