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5 Best Bets: Week 8

With only three regular season games left in the season, teams are battling for playoff positions and fighting for conference titles. We can’t forget about the ones who are on the borderline, hoping they can play November football. The week 8 slate of games might be the best we’ve had all season. Rivalries will be renewed, and historical big name programs will come center stage with a lot on the line. Here are the main games to look out for in this week’s 5 Best Bets, including a bonus sixth game since the slate is so good.

No. 1 Elder at No. 6 Winton Woods
For many, this is the most anticipated game of the weekend. Here are two teams having excellent seasons, with both squads having a tough early season loss to reigning Division I State Champ, Lakewood St. Edward. The top-ranked Panthers have an offense that can score on anyone at any time. Matthew Luebbe is the front runner to win GCL South Offensive Player of the Year, and having weapons like Joe Royer and Drew Ramsey take them over the edge. The Warriors have another loss on their resume, their second being to Christian Brothers (MO). Miyan Wiliams, pound for pound, is as good as any running back in the country. He has been a consistent force in driving this Winton Woods team to its recent success. If the Warriors want to pull the upset, the defense will have to play its best game of the season, and offensively, someone outside of Miyan will have to step up and make big plays. Elder’s place and reputation as a title contender is set, Winton Woods losing for the third straight time might hinder a lot of opinions on this team. Keep an eye on this game, the stars will be out.

No. 7 La Salle at No. 2 St. Xavier
Does it get any better than two excellent GCL South teams getting after it? The Lancers took a hard loss in last week’s Blitz 5 Game of the Week against Northern Kentucky power Covington Catholic. La Salle has had a great season, but the lack of quality opponents on their schedule came back to bite them last Friday night. The Bombers bounced back in a big way after an emotional Week 6 loss to top ranked Elder. St. Xavier routed Clarkson North 44-6, and looked scary doing it. The deciding factor to this game will be the Bomber defensive front seven, vs. the La Salle run game. The Lancers have two legit number one backs Gi’Bran Porter and Cam Porter. Zack Branam behind center is essentially a third back with his speed and explosiveness. If St. X can hold this trio at bay, and make Branam throw the ball, they will be in prime position to hand the Lancers its second consecutive loss. If La Salle is effectively pounding the rock and dominating time of possession, the Bombers will be in danger of losing their second game in three weeks.

No. 4 Fairfield at No. 14 Sycamore
The Indians are 7-0 for the first time in program history. Anyone who has been watching this team knows they are good enough to be playing in late November. Fast, sideline to sideline defense, a plethora of weapons on offense, and they have arguably the best player in the state of Ohio, Jutahn McClain. Any doubts about this team’s Week 6 disappointing showing vs Lakota East was put to rest after annihilating an extremely talented Princeton team, 37-13. Sycamore is having a tough time doing anything positive right now. Yes they beat Middletown, but it was a very uninspiring and unimpressive performance. They have lost three of their last four, and now sit seventh in the GMC. If we don’t see a Sycamore team that resembled the first three weeks of the season, this game will get ugly quick.

No. 13 Lakota East at No. 9 Lakota West
One of the biggest rivalries in the Tri-State area is renewed this week, and it’s got big playoff implications for both teams. West sits at 5-2 after a big win over Mason last week. Their defense has been the difference recently, giving up a combined 13 points in the last three games. Right behind them at 4-3 come the Thunderhawks. They have had an up-and-down season to say the least. This team could be 6-1 right now with wins over juggernauts Princeton and Fairfield. They blew a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead to the Vikings, and last week, completely outplayed the Indians. Both of these teams play hard-nosed on defense, and want to effectively run the ball right at you and be methodical while doing it. David Afari has been the key to West’s offensive success; the Thunderhawks will make a game plan around taking him out of the game. East has dominated this series over the past three years, outscoring the Firebirds 92-14. This showdown has all the makings to be a classic.

No. 5 Covington Catholic at No. 20 Highlands
This game is annually one of the biggest games in Northern Kentucky and the game of the year across Kentucky inside Class 5A. CovCath is coming off an impressive 20-point win against the La Salle Lancers, but will need not overlook their rivals. Highlands picked up the program’s 900th overall win last week in a 49-0 route of Boone County to snap a two-game skid. The Bluebirds defense will need to play their best game of the year to keep this contest close. In their five wins Highlands has held their opponents to under 14 points. They are allowing 27 points per game in their contests. The Colonels are averaging 42 points per game and have seen their games finish on a running clock in six of their eight outings this year.

No. 24 Little Miami at No.22 Ross
Both of these teams have been pleasant surprises this year. They each come into this game with a 5-1 record, with their only losses being the dominant Harrison Wildcats. This game will determine who is in the driver’s seat for second place in the conference, while also gaining better ground for playoff seeding. There is no secret to what Ross does: run the ball, run the ball, and yes, run the ball. The Rams have not had a game where they attempted more than four passes. You know what’s coming every time, but their offensive line and running game will still make it work. Little Miami on the other hand doesn’t mind airing it out, and QB Brody Reder has been impressive so far this season. Advantage Ross here, Little Miami has given up more than 100 rushing yards in four consecutive games.

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GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 16 Anderson at No. 11 Turpin
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 #3 Colerain
#10 Harrison at Franklin County (IN)
#12 Princeton at Oak Hills
#17 Wyoming at Finneytown
#19 Hamilton at Middletown
New Richmond at #23 Clinton-Massie
Eaton at #25 Franklin

KENTUCKY
Campbell County at #21 Simon Kenton

INDIANA
#8 East Central at Beech Grove

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