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2023 Video Snapshot: St. Xavier

Last year St. Xavier suffered through growing pains and finished with a losing record at 5-7, as many young players were thrown to the wolves. Looking at the “glass half full” side of things, the youthful Bombers made their 14th straight playoff appearance and were just three three-point losses away from finishing the 2022 regular season at 8-2. Moving forward, this squad is now experienced and ready to prove that it is a contender to win a regional title and more.

The scheduling gods show St. Xavier no mercy. The Bombers will face nine teams that won at least eight games and all made it to the second round of the playoffs (or further), a year ago. The combined 2022 record of St. Xavier’s opponents was 91-39 (.700 winning percentage).

Division I, Region 4
2022 RECORD: 5-7, 1-2 GCL South
COACH: Steve Specht (169-68 at St. Xavier, 19 years; 169-68 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Ted Hammond, Sr, DL – The leader of the defense, Hammond is primed for a big senior campaign especially with all the experienced teammates surrounding him. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound University of Michigan commit was a First Team All-GCL South selection as a junior. Hammond has 73 total tackles and five sacks in his career.
Player Spotlight: Ted Hammond

OTHER RETURNEES
Tucker Kattus, Jr, OL – A big time talent, who slides into a leadership role as a junior. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Kattus has offers from Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, Miami (OH), Michigan, Pitt, Toledo and Wisconsin.

Steven Napier, Sr, RB – A knee injury ended Napier’s 2022 season just as it was getting good, having 90-plus yards rushing in five of his previous seven tilts before shutting it down. He still finished with 750 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Gage Patrick, Sr, RB – Finished strong running for 130, 110, 133 yards and five touchdowns the final three games of 2022. Patrick ended up with 599 yards and seven touchdowns rushing as a junior.

Jack McClatchey, Sr, WR – Should have a very productive senior campaign. McClatchey caught 17 balls for 280 yards and three touchdowns in eight games a year ago.

St. Xavier WR Andrew McClatchey (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Andrew Weber, Sr, WR/DB – An electrifying player with the ball in his hands. Weber will be a factor in all three phases of the games. As a junior, he finished with 12 receptions, 120 yards receiving, one touchdown catch, an average of 13.2 yards on 12 punt returns, had a punt return for a touchdown, 19 total tackles, one forced fumble and an interception.

Chase Herbstreit, Jr, QB – After appearing in the final seven contest while starting the last six games (3-3) for the Bombers, a year ago, Herbstreit will be much more in command (of games) as a junior. He threw for 852 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception in his first varsity action. After a focused offseason, look for Herbstreit to also be one of the most improved players, by leaps-and-bounds, in Cincinnati and in Division I next fall.

Jack O’Malley, Sr, DB – Will move to the secondary and be a field general for his senior season. He threw for 1,174 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns (nine pass, three rush).

Justin Kattus, Sr, LB – A returning starter who will be difference maker in middle of the defense. Kattus had 21 total tackles, one-and-a-half tackles for losses and one fumble recovery as a junior. He has an offer from Kentucky.

Noah Beck, Sr, LB – One of the top linebackers in Region 4. Beck had an excellent varsity debut with 69 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, eight-and-a-half tackles for losses, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2022. He recently committed to Navy.

St. Xavier LB Noah Beck (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Gus Folke, Sr, LB – Teams with Beck and Kattus to create one of the top linebacking units in Southwest Ohio. Folke tallied 44 total tackles, had five sacks and eight-and-a-half tackles for losses as a junior.

Jake Cengia, Sr, K – Was money as a junior. Cengia connected on 30/32 extra points, 8/9 field goal attempt (long of 36-yards) for 54 kicking points.

NEWCOMERS
Luke Klare, Sr, TE – A big target at 6-foot-5 and 215-pounds. Klare had four receptions in three games as a junior.

Gordy Sulfsted, Jr, DE – It should be a breakout season for the 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive end. Sulfsted has an offer from Pitt.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(29 appearances, 55-25 overall) – 2022, 2021, 2020 (State Champion), 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (State Champion), 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 (Regional Champions), 2010, 2009, 2007 (State Champion), 2006, 2005 (State Champion), 2004, 2002, 2001 (State Runner-up), 2000, 1999, 1998 (State Runner-up), 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992 (State Runner-up), 1987, 1981.

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – LAKOTA WEST (13-1 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Martin Luther King (MI) (10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – at Chattanooga McCallie School (TN)(10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Withrow (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Moeller (13-2) – 7:00 PM*
Fri – 09/22/23 – ELDER (10-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – LOUISVILLE TRINITY (KY)(8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – LA SALLE (2-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at St. Ignatius (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – OCALA TRINITY CATHOLIC (FL)(9-3) – 7:00 PM
*at Welcome Stadium (University of Dayton)

2023 Active Leaders: GCL

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