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Best Bets: Week 10

McNicholas QB Pierce Taylor (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

The last week of the regular season is upon us in the Buckeye State. It’s been an exciting year of football all over the Tri-state area as teams prepare for their last tune up before it turns into a win or go home situation next week. This week’s slate of games features some highly-anticipated matchups that we have been waiting all season for. The fireworks will only get bigger and louder from here folks, buckle up. Here are the showdowns to look out for in this week’s edition of the Best Bets.

NO. 6 LAKOTA EAST AT NO. 2 LAKOTA WEST
The GMC title will be on the line in the battle of the Lakota’s. West comes into this game winners of seven in a row and a team stifling opponents on defense. Since Week 1, they have yet to allow a starting offense to score more than 14 points. Seniors Alex Afari and Ohio State commit Jyaire Brown have led the charge, contributing on both offense and defense. This is a team that is state championship good and has their eyes on a deep run come playoff time. 

The Thunderhawks enter the regular-season finale struggling a bit after an excellent start. They were upset by Fairfield last week and beat Colerain 7-6 only two weeks ago and won that game on a missed PAT. What was an offense scoring 30 points week in and week out is now sputtering. This comes at a horrible time with how well Tom Bolden’s bunch is playing. 

However, Lakota East is experienced and will come ready to play this week. They will also be a tough out in the playoffs. During their six-game winning streak in the middle of the season, East always dominated in the run game and were usually winning the turnover battle. They will have to get back to that this week and ride the backs of TJ Kathman, Eric Davis, and Charlie Kenrich. This Thunderhawks defense will be tested as well, as the Firebirds have scored 40 points in four of their last six games. 

Expect this game to be a quick game as both teams will look to run the ball and win in the trenches. Special teams and field position will be huge in this game. It’s going to be all or nothing in West Chester, and with everything to play for, expect nothing less than a barnburner. 

NO. 8 COLERAIN AT NO. 4 PRINCETON
For three decades straight, the GMC winner came between these two historical programs. Although time comes at you fast, and although neither of these squads will win the conference, both will be tough outs come playoff time next week. 

The Cardinals were stifled by Lakota West last week 21-3. They played a solid game through three quarters, but self-inflicted penalties and turnovers cost them yet again.  They have now lost two of their past three games and are having the school’s worst season in over 20 years. 

Meanwhile, the Vikings come into this game clicking on all cylinders. Winners of five straight and only having one loss on the season, Princeton is now even more dangerous with quarterback Mekhi Lynn returning from a hand injury that sidelined him for the first eight weeks of the season. He threw for 337 yards, ran for 34 more and tallied five total touchdowns in his return against Mason. This is one of the best offenses in the entire Tri-state area, and they are peaking at the right time. This matchup will be focused on the Colerain defense vs this highly explosive unit. 

The Cardinals will also have to sustain drives to keep their defense off the field. Last week, Lakota West honed in on MJ Flowers and didn’t let him get going. Princeton will do the same, stacking the box and forcing sophomore quarterback Zae Jennings to make tough decisions all game. 

Finally, turnovers will be a major factor in deciding the winner. Princeton has been susceptible on defense, allowing 20 points or more in five games this season. Expect this to be a high-scoring game which favors the Vikings. Both teams will come with the energy and attitude, but this Princeton juggernaut might ultimately prove to be too much to handle for the Cardinals.

NO. 18 BADIN AT NO. 24 MCNICHOLAS
Here is a matchup we have all been waiting for. The GCL Co-Ed Championship will be on the line in the battle of the unbeatens. 

For Badin, it all starts with the defense, which has been one of the best units in the entire Tri-State area. They allowed less than 10 points in five games this season which includes two shutouts. Only one team has scored over 20 points and that was Chaminade Julienne, and Badin still won that game by 17.  Badin has four of the top five sack leaders in the conference and the leader in interceptions. 

Offensively, they are led by the outstanding senior duo of signal caller Landyn Vidourek and running back Jack Walsh. They rank first and second in the conference in rushing yards. They can beat you both ways, but running the ball is their forte as they average 260 yards a game. 

The Rockets play a very similar style to Badin. They have also ridden their defense to an undefeated record, allowing 14 points or under in six of their eight games played. Like Badin they gave up a lot of points to Chaminade, but came up with a 31-30 OT win. 

While Badin has more success running the football, the Rockets have more success throwing the football, averaging 135 yards per game to Badin’s 103. They don’t struggle to run the ball either, averaging 182 yards per game. This will be the Pierce Taylor Show for the Rockets. He is the engine and if they want to win this game, it will be in his hands. He has accounted for 16 total touchdowns and only two turnovers. 

Overall, this has all the makings to be the best game of the night. Both teams play similarly, are well coached, and will be fired up for this game. We know the defenses will stand tall, but which offense will make that crucial mistake? A costly interception or fumble could be the deciding factor. No matter who wins, the celebration will be real Friday night.

NO. 7 ELDER AT NO. 5 LA SALLE
What an up-and-down road it’s been for these two programs. The talk for the Lancers in 2021 was their gauntlet of a schedule. Overall, they have done pretty well as they will finish over 500 and are battle tested for the playoffs. Unfortunately, they are limited at quarterback and their best player,  Gi’Bran Payne, has not gotten on track this season. This may put a ceiling on their playoff run, but if we have learned anything over the years never count out the Lancers. 

In terms of the Panthers, they have an opportunity to end the 2021 campaign on a high note by winning three of their last four tilts. In order for that to happen, the defense has to be better than the one that has given up 28 or more points in all but two games. 

These teams are proud and will play this game like its Week 1. Elder struggles to run the ball, averaging only 69 rushing yards per game. The La Salle defense will look to take Ramsey out of the game. The Lancers will trust their offensive line and will try to establish a run game against a Panthers defense that allows 146 yards per game. 

This game will ultimately come down to quarterback play and turnovers. The Lancers defense should be good enough to keep them in this game, but offense will come at a premium just like it has all year. La Salle will look to get the most they can out of Mason Mattingly and Cam Cope. This is an even matchup in many ways, the team that wants it more will take the regular-season finale.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game on the Blitz 5 Comeback Tour, No. 14 Anderson at No. 19 Turpin.

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

OHIO
Eagles Landing Christian Academy at No. 1 St. Xavier
No. 3 Moeller at Martin Luther King Jr.
No. 9 Kings at Little Miami
Middletown at No. 11 Fairfield
No. 15 Winton Woods at Loveland
No. 16 Mason at No. 23 Hamilton
No. 17 Sycamore at Oak Hills
Madeira at No. 22 Wyoming 

KENTUCKY
Newport at No. 12 Beechwood
No. 13 Covington Catholic at Conner
Simon Kenton at No. 23 Ryle

INDIANA
Greenwood at No. 10 East Central (IHSAA Playoffs)
Franklin County at No. 25 Lawrenceburg (IHSAA Playoffs)

 

 

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