Preview: Lakota West at St. Xavier
- Updated: August 15, 2023
St. Xavier LB Noah Beck (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)
We are kicking off the 2023 season in style as Lakota West travels to St. Xavier in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week. The visiting Firebirds have won the last two contests in the series and have held the Bombers to just 15 total points in those victories. St. Xavier is looking to quickly erase the memories of a 5-7 season in 2022.
#2 LAKOTA WEST FIREBIRDS (0-0) at #4 ST. XAVIER BOMBERS (0-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
RDI Stadium, Tom Ballaban Field
Follow on Twitter @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Lakota West defense features no less than eight players that have Division I offers in seniors DB Taebron Bennie-Powell (committed to Notre Dame), DE Elijah Davis (committed to Akron), LB Jacob Asbeck (committed to Navy), DB Drew Minnich, DB Bukari Miles, junior LB Grant Beerman, and sophomore OLB/DB Cam Thomas. Asbeck has 15.5 sacks and Davis has 11.5 sacks in their careers.
The Firebirds’ offense has explosive seniors at the skills positions with WR Brennan Remy (Southeast Missouri commit), RB Eudes Gonzales Jr. and Jiovonni Wilson leading the way. Remy Remy had 46 receptions for 665 yards, amassed 1,077 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 11 times (10 rec, one rush) on his way to OPSWA Division I Honorable Mention All-Ohio (WR) accolades as a junior.
Lakota West WR Brennan Remy (photo by Autumn Duncan/TriStateFootball.com)
Gonzales Jr. and Wilson combined for 37 receptions, 562 yards receiving, 457 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns (eight rec, three rush, one KR) in 2022. Looking to breakout are junior TE Luka Gilbert (offers include Ohio State, Michigan, Boston College, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Pitt, Rutgers and Virginia Tech) and incoming freshman QB Jackson Smith (offer from Kentucky).
St. Xavier is led on defense by seniors DL Ted Hammond (committed to Michigan), LB Noah Beck (committed to Navy), LB Justin Kattus (offer from Kentucky) and LB Gus Folke. Junior DE Gordy Sulfsted (offer from Pitt) is primed for a breakout year.
The Bombers’ offense features seniors RB Stephen Napier, RB Gage Patrick, juniors OL Tucker Kattus (offers include Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan, Pitt and Wisconsin) and QB Chase Herbstreit. Napier and Patrick combined for 1,249 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing a year ago. Herbstreit started the last six tilts of 2022 and threw for 852 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception in his first varsity action.
St. Xavier RB Steven Napier (photo courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)
TEAM TRENDS: Lakota West is coming off its first ever undefeated 10-0 regular season and third consecutive regional runner-up finish. The Firebirds are hungry for the school’s first regional title and have the defense to get it done.
Over the last three seasons Lakota West is a combined 32-4. In that span the Firebirds have allowed just 9.4 points per game, held 30 foes to 14 points or less, 21 of those to seven points or fewer including nine shutouts.
St. Xavier looks to pick up where it left off running the football a year ago. The Bombers went 3-2 over their final five contests averaging 34.2 carries and 141.0 yards rushing (4.1/carry) with nine of their 14 touchdowns on the ground. They averaged just 100.0 yards (3.2/carry) while going just 2-5 in the first seven outings of 2022.
HEAD COACHES: This is the 24th head-to-head meeting between Tom Bolden and Steve Specht. Bolden holds a 13-10 advantage in those affairs. The icons have split their 10 playoff meetings (5-5).
Lakota West: Tom Bolden (39-8 at Lakota West, four years; 171-29 overall, 16 years)
St. Xavier: Steve Specht (169-68 at St. Xavier, 19 years; 169-68 overall
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Lakota West (nine appearances, 11-9) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2009, 2006, 2004
St. Xavier (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.
LAKOTA WEST’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Rely on the veteran players to answer the call during this game’s biggest moments. A new starter at quarterback for the Firebirds at quarterback shouldn’t have to worry about doing too much. The Lakota West returning starters and seniors need to make that happen.
ST. XAVIER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Come at the Firebirds inexperienced and “green” quarterback with relentless pressure. Force him to feel uneasy and make mistakes. The Bombers offense must establish the run early and it won’t be easy to do versus the Firebirds front seven. Staying out of third and long situations is a must. The last thing St. Xavier wants to do is give the Lakota West secondary opportunities to cheat and make plays against the pass.
Prediction: Lakota West 13, St. Xavier 10
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