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5 Best Bets: Week 4

What an incredible Week 3 it was around the Tri-state. The biggest story was… kickers? Sycamore senior Jack Ferron and Wyoming Senior AJ Washienko both hit game-winning field goals as time expired to send both teams to 3-0. We saw many teams solidify themselves as contenders, while other teams will have to go back to the drawing board. We are set for an exciting Week 4 with many big name programs ready to do battle. Here are the games to look out for in this week’s 5 Best Bets.

No. 13 Hamilton at No. 4 Fairfield
You can argue nobody made a bigger statement than the Indians last week. A 47-7 beat down of Middletown, this offense looked unstoppable. With all eyes being on Jutahn McClain, guys like Sawiaha Ellis, Marquis Jones, and Jayden Mayes are getting opportunities and taking advantage of them. Their defense has also been rock solid, allowing single-digit points in two of their first three games. Fairfield is a team that we will continue talking about for weeks to come. Hamilton took their first loss of the season last week against Lakota West. The offense wasn’t able to generate much of anything. If they want any chance to win this game, Quincy Simms-Marshall and Keyshawn Stevens will have to be special. Stopping the run game will be the number one priority for this Hamilton defense. The best way to stop a dynamic offense like Fairfield will be to keep them off the field. Hamilton will look to be methodical, and win the time of possession battle.

No. 15 Moeller at No. 5 Winton Woods
The Warriors have picked up where they left off last season, with their offense and defense clicking simultaneously. They have accumulated at least 30 points in each of their first three games, while not allowing double digits yet this season. The Crusaders struggled mightily in their first two weeks, getting shutout in both games and giving up a combined 69 points. Week 3 was a different story, as they knocked off Lafayette (KY) 68-7. It’s too early to tell if they have turned the corner and figured things out, but they are hoping that’s the case. The outcome will come down to which Moeller team shows up. If we see the Crusaders from the first couple of weeks, it will get ugly quick, but if they come out with a purpose like last week, we could be in for an instant classic between two historical juggernauts.

No. 9 Sycamore at No. 10 Lakota West
The Aviators are coming off one of their biggest wins in program history. Head coach Scott Datillo became the winningest head coach in school history with 94 wins, paired with beating the heavily favored Princeton Vikings at home. This is a team that has already been on the winning end of a blowout, a grind-it-out, high-scoring game, and a low-scoring defensive showdown. Sycamore has been there and done that, which will bode well for them moving forward. Lakota West might finally be getting things going under new head coach Tom Bolden. They have reeled off back-to-back big wins and incredible defensive performances. That will be the key in this game. The Aviators have a 50 and 30-point outburst already this season. West will be looking to control time of possession with the run heavy triple-option offense. The turnover battle will be huge in who wins this game. Both teams play smart and disciplined, so one more possession could be the turning point in what looks to be a low-scoring game.

No. 23 Ryle at No. 12 Highlands
Highlands sent a message to their doubters with a dominating 28-7 win over Simon Kenton last week. They now have three blowout wins, and a very close loss to Knoxville Catholic in a game that could have went both ways. The defense gave up less than 14 points in those three wins as well. In terms of Ryle, they are one of the hottest teams in Northern Kentucky. Riding a three game-winning streak, and have won their last two games by a combined score of 66-16. This matchup has the makings to be a game of the year candidate in Northern Kentucky. Both teams have playoff aspirations, and both teams are playing their best ball of the year.

Ross at No. 17 Harrison
It took five quarters for Harrison to finally score in Week 3, but when they did, it won them the game. The past two weeks have been nothing short of hectic for the Wildcats. The team we are used to seeing score points in bunches have made their living on the defensive side of the ball. Allowing only 10 points in the last two games, and their offense has gone to sleep since a dominant 38-point performance in week one against Butler. Ross has been one of the most pleasant surprises in all of the Tri-state this season. A team that has had trouble getting wins consistently over the past handful of years; they are undefeated and getting better each week. They have outscored their past two opponents by a score of 76-10. If the Wildcats’ offense starts humming in rhythm with the defense, and how well they have played, look out. Ross is not going down easy, and have every intention of moving to 4-0.

GAME OF THE WEEK: COLERAIN at PRINCETON
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game on the Blitz 5 Tour presented by TriStateFootball.com.

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Here are some other games for teams ranked inside the Blitz 5 Top 25:

OHIO
#1 Elder at St. Edward (Saturday)
Cathedral at #2 St. Xavier
Dunbar at #7 La Salle
#24 Middletown at #14 Lakota East
West Clermont at #18 Turpin
#19 Mason at Oak Hills
#22 Wyoming at Reading
Little Miami at #25 Mount Healthy

KENTUCKY
#6 Covington Catholic at Beechwood
Taylor County at #21 Simon Kenton

INDIANA
#8 East Central at Batesville

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