Bellbrook High School assistant football coach Charlie O’Dell played for the Golden Eagles before serving on the offensive line at Wittenberg University.

In the past few weeks, O’Dell’s experience has produced the team’s motto in tough times.

“He’s brought the idea of, ‘Pound the rock, pound the rock, and eventually you’ll bust it,’ ” said Kevin Basinger, Bellbrook’s head coach.

The Golden Eagles hope they’ve busted it wide open. After losing its first five games of the season, Bellbrook grabbed the biggest upset of Friday, Oct. 2, when the Golden Eagles topped Valley View 21-16.

The win moves 1-5 Bellbrook to 1-1 in the Southwestern Buckeye League’s Southwestern Division, providing a new goal for the team.

Goals had to be readjusted after the Golden Eagles started 0-5. Granted, the last three of those losses came by three points to Xenia, in overtime against Monroe (now 5-1) and by a touchdown to Franklin (also 5-1).

Moving forward, Bellbrook will face Eaton (4-2), Brookville (4-2), Oakwood (0-6) and Milton-Union (3-3) to finish the season and, the team hopes, compete for the league title.

Basinger credited his captains, quarterback Jay Bucher and offensive lineman and linebacker Zac Rogal, with keeping the team focused. For the Valley View game, coaches also promoted free safety Josh Buckle to captain.

The result of the continued effort and focus was a 21-8 lead against Valley View heading into the fourth quarter, when the Golden Eagles had to prove they wouldn’t revert to a negative attitude.

“It was like, ‘OK, we have the lead, now what do we have to do to hold onto it? Let’s not give this thing away,’ ” Basinger said.

He laughed.

“It was a little scary at the end.”