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Best Bets: Week 12

Moeller LB Joseph Ginnetti (photo by James Bates/TriStateFootball.com)

As the calendar turns to November, we are now fully into the playoffs in Southwest Ohio, Eastern Indiana, and Northern Kentucky. Last week we saw everything from a three overtime, all-time great game at The Pit, defensive struggles, and even running clocks by halftime. 

With the season now being a one-and-done for all parties involved, expect another exciting Friday night in the Tri-state area. Interconference showdowns and Northern Kentucky rivals headline this playoff edition of the Best Bets

NO. 8 FAIRFIELD AT NO. 1 MOELLER
OHSAA Division I, Region 4 Quarterfinal 

The GMC and GCL South will battle in back-to-back weeks for a chance to continue their season. This game likely won’t live up the Colerain-Elder classic, although the Crusaders and Indians both come into this game playing excellent football. 

Moeller holds the number one seed and took care of winless Oak Hills 35-21. There wasn’t much learned in that game, but the Crusaders have an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball, are well coached, and will be ready for every battle ahead of them. 

The Indians beat Mason for the second time in four weeks, this time by a score of 28-21. Fairfield has now won four games in a row and are playing their best ball of the season at the right time. 

Junior Jordan Jackson ran for 270 yards and three scores against the Comets last week, and they will need that again against a Moeller team that allows 163 rushing yards per game. Sophomore signal caller Talon Fisher is an excellent runner, but has struggled throwing the football. He has thrown at least one interception in each of his last three games. If Moeller commits to stopping the run and puts 7-8 men in the box, that can and will cause trouble for the young quarterback. 

Another huge factor in this game will be the trenches. Moeller will look to establish a run game and use a massive offensive line to lean on the Indians all night. The Crusaders will also look to use their speed on the perimeter to create big plays. Fairfield’s defense has to play their best game of the season if they want to keep this close. All signs favor the GCL South yet again, but don’t expect the Indians to go down easy.

NO. 6 LA SALLE (6-4) AT NO. 3 ANDERSON (9-2)
OHSAA Division II, Region 8 Quarterfinal 

The Lancers played their best game of the season last week, throttling Harrison 42-14 in the first round of playoff action. Senior Cam Cope led the way with 131 rushing yards, 79 passing yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Grant added 105 rushing yards and two scores of his own. Most importantly, LaSalle won the turnover battle 2-0. With an offense that struggles to score, getting takeaways are always the cure and catalyst to get your unit fired up.  

The Raptors come into this game as one of the hottest teams in the area regardless of division. Winners of seven in a row, the offense continues to shine as they have scored 28 points or more in four of their last five games played. Although the biggest positive for Anderson is the improvement of the defense. They have also allowed 21 points or less in four of their last five games, including holding Xenia to six last week. 

Something has to give in this game. The Lancers have owned this region and the entire division for seven years now. If Anderson wants to take that next step and solidify their recent play, it starts with beating the team everyone is after. 

The Lancers’ defense has been fairly solid overall, but Anderson is going to score points. The biggest question is if the Lancers can get a similar game from Pope and the running game to score enough points to keep up. To be the man, you have to beat the man, and now is the perfect opportunity for the Raptors to break that barrier.


NO 3 CONNER (6-4) AT NO. 2 COOPER (7-3)
KHSAA Class 5A District Semifinal

Why not kick off postseason play in the Bluegrass State with a rematch and revenge on the mind of the Cougars. In Week 7, the Jaguars dominated Conner by a score of 43-7. Both teams have struggled to find consistency all year. 

Conner did have a four-game winning streak, but have since lost two of three and are now struggling to find their stride. In the first matchup, Cooper stifled Conner with a suffocating defense. That is the key for the Jaguars. In all of their seven wins, they allowed 10 points or less which also includes two shutouts. 

In a game like this, the more physical team that runs the football effectively usually wins, especially in a rematch. The Jaguars have a stud in the backfield in Brendon Tye. The senior has compiled 1,111 yards and 13 touchdowns on 148 rushing attempts.

Look for Conner to avoid what transpired in the last meeting and throw some punches early. The turnover battle will also prove pivotal in a game where both teams are familiar with each other. It’s the opening round of the playoffs, so both of these cats will be on the hunt.


BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (11-0) AT LAWRENCEBURG (9-1)
IHSAA Class 3A, Sectional 31 Championship

The Tigers continue to play excellent football, winning their first two playoff games by a combined score of 64-21. Lawrenceburg has won the last three playoff meetings in this series dating back to 2015. You have to jump back all the way to 2009 for the last time Brownstown beat the Tigers. 

The Braves come into this game with an unblemished record at 11-0 with an offense that scores points in bunches. They have scored at least 40 points in 8 of their 11 wins. Their defense has been solid as well but has shown signs of vulnerability at times. They allowed 28 points to Scottsburg and 27 to Silver Creek in back-to-back weeks. Their record speaks for itself and it all starts with head coach Reed May, who is 285-56 in 29 long years as the Braves’ coach. 

Now, the Tigers are experienced at all the right positions, including a record-setting signal caller in Garret Yoon. This team will not be phased by any team or gameplan, and the Tigers know with this personnel it could be their best chance at a state title and all the eggs are in this basket. 

The Tigers will have to stop the tandem of Kiernan Tiemeyer and Carson Darlage, who both have over a 1,000 yards rushing and provide the engine to this Braves’ offense. Look for Lawrenceburg to rely heavily on a defense that has not given up more than 20 points since Week 1. Both teams have double-digit win streaks and everything to play for. All eyes will be on this 3A matchup.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s Blitz 5 Game of the Week, No. 7 Winton Woods at No. 2 Kings.

 

 

 

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