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Best Bets: Cincinnati – Week 7

Just four games remain in the regular season, and this week’s schedule contains numerous pivotal contests between conference foes.

St. Xavier and Moeller wrap up GCL South play, and Colerain will have a tough test if it hopes to continue its ridiculous GMC win streak.

TriStateFootball takes a look at this week’s Best Bets in Cincinnati:

Alter (5-1) at Badin (5-1), 7 p.m. – Alter has been a defensive juggernaut, holding opponents to a GCL Co-Eds best 11.0 points per game and just 21 points overall in its last five. Badin leads the conference in points with 247, an average of 41.2. The Rams will be tough to stop, as they have excellent balance. QB Zach Larkin has thrown for 902 yards and eight touchdowns, and RB Cody Boxrucker leads the team in rushing yards with 634.

Harrison (4-2) at Mount Healthy (4-2), 7 p.m. – Harrison actually started the season 0-2, losing two close games, but it has responded with four straight wins. Similarly, Mount Healthy was 1-2 but has won its last three games soundly. The Wildcats have the SWOC’s top passer in Mitchell Hogue (908 passing yards) and the Owls boast the top rusher (David Montgomery: 1,202 ground yards).

Mount Healthy QB David Montgomery.

Mount Healthy QB David Montgomery.

Lakota West (4-2) at Colerain (5-1), 7 p.m. – The two remaining unbeaten teams in GMC play meet. Lakota West is scoring 39.7 points in conference games. The Firebirds have been efficient passing, but they have scored 20 rushing touchdowns vs. just four in the air. Danny Otakasongo has eight scores and a team-best 688 rushing yards, and Zelwyn Robinson has found the end zone nine times. Colerain made a statement last week with a 35-0 win over Fairfield. It’s amazing a big-school team can be so dominant while throwing the ball six times a game, but QB Deshaunte Jones has now rushed for 751 yards and 12 scores and Monalo Caldwell has 667 ground yards and six touchdowns.

La Salle (6-0) at St. Xavier (4-2), 7 p.m. – St. Xavier needs this game more than La Salle for conference purposes, as La Salle is 1-0 and the Bombers wrap up GCL play and are 1-1. The Lancers are averaging 277.2 rushing yards, led by Jeremy Larkin’s 739 ground yards and 10 TDs. St. Xavier has used multiple skill players in its offense, as four Bombers have at least 10 catches and 100 receiving yards, and four rushers have gained over 100 yards. St. Xavier is holding opponents to 192 yards per game.

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Madeira (4-2) at Wyoming (6-0), 7 p.m. – Madeira has one CHL loss this season, but that was by three to Reading. The Mustangs have allowed just 11.3 points per game this season, and no team has scored more than 20 points vs. Madeira. Wyoming has been even stingier, holding opponents to an average of 7.7 points. Junior Greg Corn has four straight 100-yard games for the Mustangs and 625 ground yards overall, third in the conference. The Cowboys’ Justin Shields is second in the CHL with 924 rushing yards, and he has scored 13 touchdowns. Wyoming also boasts the conference leaders in three top defensive categories (Tucker Berger, 78 tackles; Jamal Fox, 6½ sacks; DeAndre Griffin, four sacks).

Moeller (2-4) at Elder (5-1), 7 p.m. – How good is the parity in this conference? Both GCL South games went to overtime last week, and the only other league game this season was decided by four points. For that reason, the Crusaders’ 2-4 record is deceiving. Moeller has lost by two, four, seven in overtime and 17 to a New Jersey power. The Crusaders’ lack of offense is a bit of a concern though, as they are scoring just 19.3 points per game. Elder is coming off an overtime win over St. Xavier, and QB Peyton Ramsey is the Panthers’ offensive leader, throwing for 1,285 yards and 12 scores with at least 150 yards in each game.

Summit Country Day (3-3) at CHCA (5-1), 7 p.m. – Summit Country Day is 0-1 in the MVC after getting blown out by Cincinnati Country Day, but the Knights followed that up with a 37-0 blowout of Lockland. CHCA lost by a touchdown opening night and have responded by winning its last five. QB Johnny Noyen has been a major threat with his arm and legs for the Eagles, passing for 756 yards and nine touchdowns and rushing for a team-high 781 yards and 12 scores.

Western Brown (4-2) at New Richmond (4-2), 7 p.m. – Western Brown suffered a reality check last week. After winning four of its first five, with its only loss coming by two points, the Broncos were drilled, 63-14 by Harrison. Chaiten Tomlin has thrown for 1,783 yards and 22 touchdowns, and his top target, Wyatt Fischer, has 43 catches for 712 yards and eight TDs. New Richmond has won three games in a row and has allowed just six points in its last two. QB Austin Torrens and RB Michael Williamson have combined for over 1,100 rushing yards.

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