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5 Best Bets: Week 10

We have made it to the finish line of the 2019 regular season. From start to finish, this has been one of the most memorable seasons in quite some time. There are massive implications on the line, specifically for teams fighting for a chance at the playoffs. We also have multiple titanic league games that will decide who takes home the conference title. Get your popcorn ready folks, it’s time to get into playoff mode. Here are the matchups to watch in the 2019 regular-season finale edition of the 5 Best Bets.

No. 1 Elder at No. 5 La Salle
What a way to wrap up another incredible season in the GCL South. Both of these teams have been impressive all year and they will meet to decide the true king of the league. Elder’s offense is one of the more impressive units we have seen in some time. Their combination of excellent QB play from Matthew Luebee, and having a plethora of top-end skill position talent has allowed them to score 30 or more points in every game this season. Although their defense is still shaky, giving up 28 points or more in five of their nine games. The Lancers are coming off a heartbreaking, home loss to Winton Woods. They turned the ball over three times, and couldn’t slow down superstar RB Miyan Williams, who ran for 145 yards and three scores. Regardless, La Salle has been a force to be reckoned with all year, featuring an offense that can run on anyone and a defense that gets big stops. The Lancers have to keep Matthew Luebee in the pocket and make him throw. If he escapes the pocket and starts making plays with his feet, the Lancers defense has no shot. La Salle must maintain drives and keep the potent Elder offense off the field. There should be a heavy dose of Cam Porter and Zach Branam running the football. Lancer Stadium will be rocking and the stars will be out, get ready for a classic.

No. 7 Colerain at No. 2 Fairfield
This will be the biggest GMC game played in well over a decade. Both of these teams are undefeated in conference play, and have a combined one loss on the season. Colerain has won 19 consecutive league titles, and many of those seasons they weren’t even tested. That all changes with one of the better teams in the state of Ohio, the Fairfield Indians. Fairfield comes in with an unblemished record. They have one of the best football players in America in Jutahn McClain, having a game-breaker like him alone will give you a chance to win every game you’re in. Although what makes Fairfield even more dangerous is the production coming from the other skill position players. Guys like Sawihah Ellis and Jayden Mayes have become forces in this offense as well. Both players are versatile for their positions and do whatever is asked of them at a high level. Defensively, they have the two leading sack getters in the conference in LJ France and Brandon Smith .The Indians are simply an opposing coach’s nightmare. The Cardinals bounced back with an impressive Week 9 shellacking of Lakota East. It finally looked like the Cards clicked on all cylinders, and proved why they are one of the main juggernauts in Ohio. This team is young, especially in the offensive backfield. You know every game they are going to bring the intensity and physicality on defense. Turnovers will be the ultimate key for victory in this game. Both offenses are way too talented and cerebral to give free chances to. Regardless of this outcome, we are going to witness history.

No. 13 Hamilton at No. 14 Lakota East
Here are two teams that had very nice starts to the year, but the good times didn’t last. Hamilton is currently fighting for their playoff lives. Their main struggles have come in conference, coming in at 3-4. Keyshawn Stevens and Quincy Simms-Marshall are still one of the better two-punch combos in the Tri-state area. The defense has been up and down, showing signs of brilliance, then turning right around and allowing 40. Hamilton has to win this game and impressively if they want a chance to sneak into the playoffs. The wheels completely fell off the Thunderhawks’ wagon against Colerain last week. A squad that has lost multiple close games to excellent opponents, and now are on the outside of the bubble. East has nobody to blame but themselves for their current position, as closing out games have been eluding them all season. Regardless, they get Hamilton at home for Senior Night, and if they play similar to what we saw in the middle of the season against Fairfield and Princeton, they have a great chance to send their fans home happy.

No. 24 Ross at Talawanda
There is no better feel good matchup than these two SWOC grinders. Both of these teams completely exceeded expectations and have had excellent years from top to bottom. It’s not rocket science to see how this game will play out and what the keys to victory are. Whichever offensive line holds up for longer will win this game. Both of these teams run the ball on just about every play, so this game belongs to the boys in the trenches. Ross has the slight advantage on personnel, but Talwanda has home field advantage. We will see what side gives in first.

Summit Country Day at Roger Bacon
Another matchup of two squads that have had really nice seasons. Roger Bacon can lock up the undisputed conference title with a win this week. They have one of the best running backs in Ohio in Corey Kiner and as a team have scored over 40 points in three of their last four games. Summit took a gut punch in Week 9, getting blown out by CHCA by 27. Johnny Stines has had a remarkable season with 2,400 passing yards, 20 TDs to only five INTs. The contrast in playing styles will make for a very nice game here. Easier said than done, but if Summit can’t get some type of control on Kiner, Roger Bacon will put up 40 with ease. Outside of two bad defensive games against CHCA and Badin, this unit has been outstanding. They have given up 14 points or less in the rest of their games. The Miami Valley Conference will be at center stage in Week 10 and these two teams should not disappoint.

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GAME OF THE WEEK: Indian Hill at No. 18 Wyoming
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
#15 Mason at #9 Princeton
Northwest at #10 Harrison
Middletown at #11 Lakota West
Milford at #12 Turpin
#16 Sycamore at Oak Hills
Loveland at #17 Anderson
#23 Clinton-Massie at Wilmington
#24 Ross at Talawanda
#25 Franklin at Oakwood

INTERSTATE
#6 St. Xavier at Louisville St. Xavier
#19 Simon Kenton at #22 Little Miami

KENTUCKY
#20 Conner at George Rogers Clark

INDIANA
#8 East Central at Greenwood (Class 4A, Sectional 23 playoffs)

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