Sycamore dropped to 0-2 after No. 21 Mason beat the Aviators 43-24 at Sycamore Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28.

The Greater Miami Conference opener was all about Mason's ground game. The Comets piled up 319 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, according to WLWT's Blitz Recap. Junior quarterback Alex Nagel led the way, carrying 19 times for 189 yards and four touchdowns with a long run of 49 yards.

Nagel averaged 9.9 yards per carry. He accounted for four of Mason's six scores on the ground.

Sycamore put up 24 points, its best offensive output in two games. The Aviators scored just six in a Week 1 loss to Kings, when Oliver Young ran 15 times for 132 yards and three touchdowns for the Knights in a 34-6 win, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The loss extends a difficult stretch in the "Battle of the Skies" rivalry, now in its 23rd season as part of the Great American Rivalry Series. The teams, separated by six miles, compete annually for a traveling trophy. Mason has controlled the series in recent years, posting lopsided wins of 48-6 and 29-7 in previous seasons. The rivalry has also produced memorable finishes, including Mason's 30-27 overtime victory in 2018 on a 42-yard field goal and a 43-40 shootout in 2021.

Both teams entered the game winless. Mason was shut out 33-0 by Springboro in Week 1, while Sycamore fell to Kings 34-6. The Comets' bounce-back moved them to 1-1.

Sycamore's early struggles come as the program adjusts to roster turnover. Multi-year starting quarterback Grant Nurre graduated, and receiver Anthony Lyman transferred to Elder High School, according to the Enquirer.

The GMC season is just getting started, and both teams have ground to make up after 0-1 starts in conference play.