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Best Bets: Week 13

La Salle RB Jaylen Grant (photo by James Bates/TriStateFootball.com)

What a time it is for high school football in the Tri-State area. The playoffs are in full swing and we have bonafide state championship contenders in Southwest Ohio, Eastern Indiana, and Northern Kentucky. Many of the matchups this week are coin flips and the slate of games are the best they have been all year. Highly-anticipated rematches and a Division IV slugfest highlight this playoff edition of the Best Bets.

NO. 2 ST. XAVIER VS NO. 3 LAKOTA WEST
OHSAA Division I, Region 4 Semifinal 

The rematch we have all been waiting for has arrived. Arguably the two best teams in the Tri-State area and the state of Ohio face off in this one. After the Bombers defeated West 31-13 in Week 1, we all knew it was only a matter of time before these two juggernauts would meet again. 

Since that game, the Firebirds haven’t lost, winning 10 in a row and essentially all of those wins being in blowout fashion. They are led by a defense that allows only eight points per game and under 100 passing yards and rushing yards per contest. What makes them extremely dangerous is the excellent play of signal-caller Mitch Bolden. He has accounted for 29 total touchdowns and only five interceptions this season, which includes 200 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and no interceptions in two playoff thrashings. With his ability to be a true dual-threat quarterback, West becomes even harder to stop on offense. 

The Bombers lost two games this season, but have been on fire since. They are clicking on all cylinders as we head into the third round of postseason play. They have been led by great quarterback play as well, but their offense operates at its highest when senior running back Charles Kellom gets going, which has been early and often this year. In two playoff games, Kellom has 345 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. The defense has also been incredible, allowing only 14 points total the past two weeks. 

Overall, this game is as even as it gets. Both teams consistently play stifling defense, have excellent running games and quarterbacks that can take a game over. This rematch will come down to turnovers and third-down efficiency. Both teams will look to score points and wear down the other defense. Both teams will lean on a massive offensive line to run the ball and then set up play-action passes. The Bombers have a more big-play mentality and the Firebirds like to sustain 8-10 play drives. Neither team is going to give an inch, and you can rest assured the winner of this highly-anticipated rematch will be the favorite to get to Canton.

NO. 6 LASALLE VS. NO. 7 WINTON WOODS
OHSAA Division II, Region 8 Semifinal 

Division II also gives us an intriguing rematch of two teams playing their best ball of the season. This rivalry has been must-watch television with exceptional talent all over the field for both teams. 

The Lancers played one of the toughest schedules in the entire country and it’s now paying dividends. They have won their first two playoff games by a combined score of 87-35 and are doing it with defense and their ability to run the ball. Sophomore Quarterback Cam Cope had his coming out party, rushing for 172 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown. Jaylen Grant ran for over 100 yards for the second straight game after only doing that once all of the regular season. They have also been +3 in the turnover margin in two playoff games which is the ultimate recipe for success to win crucial games. 

The Warriors have now won five games in a row, including their two playoff games by double digits. The defense continues to play well, allowing only 11 points per game and they just defeated an undefeated Kings’ team that won the matchup earlier in the season. Their biggest improvement has been the consistency on offense, which has been led by their superstar playmaker TyRek Spikes. He has over 100 yards rushing in three straight games, which includes over 200 yards in both playoff games and six total touchdowns. 

This game will be played very quickly as both teams will rely on their running game and defense. Neither team has a reliable passing game so the trenches and turnovers will decide this game. The Lancers will look to bottle up Spikes the best they can and make someone else beat them. Guys like KC Spears, Buddy Ellery, and James Miner II will have to make some plays in this game. The Lancers will look to Jaylen Grant to continue his hot play.

NO. 1 WYOMING VS NO. 4 CLINTON MASSIE
OHSAA Division IV, Region 12 Semifinal 

It was only a matter of time before these teams took the field in the battle of Division IV powers. Wyoming continues to prove they are the cream of the crop from their competition. They come into this game undefeated, and have only played two close games in their 12 wins. 

The defense has been a real strength for the Cowboys as they have allowed single digits in nine of their contests this season which includes six consecutive games and they have pitched four shutouts. 

The offense runs through superstar back C.J. Hester and Quaid Hauer, both of which play both sides of the ball. Hauer is the signal caller and has been excellent, but more importantly efficient. He is coming off a playoff win where he completed 15-of-16 passes for 227 yards and two total touchdowns. He also had 10 total tackles at linebacker. Hester continues to shine which surprises nobody at this point. He is averaging over 200 yards per game on the ground and has tallied an eye-popping 35 rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns. 

Clinton-Massie has been on fire as well, winning 10 in a row and scoring points in bunches. They’ve been led by running back Carson Vanhoose, who averages 135 rushing yards per game and 24 total touchdowns. He is coming off his best game of the season, where he ran for 200 yards for the first time this season on 17 carries. They also got a huge game from senior Colton Trampler, who ran for 166 yards on 24 carries. It’s obvious that the running game and line play will be the key in this game. Clinton Massie doesn’t throw the ball at all, as they have a discrepancy of averaging 356 rushing yards per game and only 50 passing yards per game. 

The Cowboys average 257 rushing yards per game and 110 passing yards per game. This could ultimately come back to bite the Falcons. When these teams played last year the Cowboys won 28-9. Both teams ran the ball effectively, but Wyoming outgained Clinton Massie 97-39 through the air. 

Wyoming has a better defense and a more versatile offense. The Falcons won’t go down easy and their defense is good enough to keep them in the game, but until we see otherwise, the Cowboys are the favorite.

NO. 1 RYLE VS NO. 2 DIXIE HEIGHTS
KHSAA Class 6A, District 6 Championship

One of the best games in Northern Kentucky this Friday will feature a rematch from the Blitz 5 Comeback Tour earlier in the season, a contest Ryle won 13-12 as the Colonels played without a kicker. Both teams have proved to be dangerous during stretches of the season.

Dixie Heights comes into this game winners of three in a row and their offense is clicking on all cylinders. After struggling to find consistency throughout the season, the Colonels are averaging 40 points in their last three games and defensively have only given up 28 points total over that same period of time. 

Meanwhile, the Raiders come into this contest with three losses, but those came against Covington and Lexington Catholic, and Louisville St Xavier. All of these teams are competing for and winning state championships year in and year out. 

These district foes are very evenly matched which showed earlier in the season when they played. Both teams play good defense and even in their losses have looked good. Expect more points being scored in this game and even some big plays from both offenses. Both teams will look to avoid the big mistake that will cost them. 

The Colonels senior class has been one of the best in recent years at the school and they won’t go down without a fight, but Ryle will have home field advantage. Dixie and Ryle both pride themselves on having a gauntlet schedule and have playoff success because of it. Neither team will give an inch, and this matchup has all the makings to be an instant classic.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s Blitz 5 Game of the Week, Moeller vs. Princeton.

 

 

 

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