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2024 Video Snapshot: St. Xavier

Experience won’t be a problem at St. Xavier. The Bombers have a good mix of junior and seniors that have played in their share of big games. Opponents are going to have to earn it on every snap versu St. X. This squad not going to make the mistakes to beat themselves. St. Xavier is a legit contender for a regional championship.

For the first time in Specht’s 21 years as the team’s head coach the Bombers will play all 10 regular season games on Friday nights. The bad news is that the first seven contests are against schools that went a combined 69-25 (.734 winning %) in 2023. Don’t underestimate the value of having the same routine on a week-to-week basis and only road trip longer than an hour bus ride away from home. It could be incredibly beneficial come playoff time.

Division I, Region 4
2023 RECORD: 7-5, 1-2 GCL South
COACH: Steve Specht (176-73 at St. Xavier, 20 years; 176-73 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Tucker Kattus, Sr, OL – The anchor and leader of the o-line, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Kattus is as fundamentally sound as they come in the trenches. He was named OPSWA Division I First Team All-Ohio and First Team All-TriState Football as a junior. Kattus has committed to the University of Kentucky where he will join brothers Justin and Josh on the Wildcats roster.

Gordy Sulfsted, Sr, DE – With his ability to move in and out of positions, Sulfsted will be a menace to gameplan around. He should have a monstrous senior season. Sulfsted tallied 41 total tackles, had three-and-a-half sacks, six tackles for losses and three pass breakups on his way to OPSWA Division I Third Team All-Ohio and Second Team All-TriState Football honors a year ago. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Sulfsted has committed to Notre Dame.

Jacob Britt, Jr, RB – A key member of the Class of 2026, the Bombers coaches are expecting Britt to take his game to the next level. He was a Second Team All-GCL South selection after running for 769 yards, catching nine balls for 111 yards and finding the end zone five times (four rush, one rec) as a sophomore. Three times in the Bombers final five games Britt ran for 124 yards or more including a career high 145 yards versus La Salle.

Brayden Reilly, Jr, DB – An excellent varsity debut saw Reilly get in on 38 total tackles with five pass breakups and four interceptions as a sophomore. He was named Second Team All-GCL South for his efforts.

Jakobe Clapper, Jr, LB/DB – Has quickly become one of Ohio’s prized gems in the Class of 2026. Clapper, is a hybrid player in the back seven of the defense. He led the Bombers with 90 total tackles and had two-and-a-half sacks and an interception on his way to being named Second Team All-GCL South as a sophomore. His offers include Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, UMass, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Tennessee, Toledo, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Daniel Vollmer, Jr, ATH – A rising star whose versatility keeps opposing defenses from settling in. Vollmer amassed 1,117 all-purpose yards (765 rush) and ran for four touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-GCL South (RB) accolades as a sophomore. He had a career high 281 yards on the ground versus Elder. Vollmer who is also an all-state performer in lacrosse has offers from Akron, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Indiana &Miami (OH).

OTHER RETURNEES
Chase Herbstreit, Sr, QB – With so many weapons surrounding him, St. X will look for Herbstreit to be the maestro of the offense. His ability to distribute the ball amongst his teammates in an equitable fashion will lead to a deep playoff run. The three-year starter has thrown for 2,376 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.

St. Xavier QB Chase Herbstreit (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Lucas Bishop, Sr, DB – A returning starter and vital cog in an outstanding Bombers secondary. Bishop has 62 total tackles, three-and-a-half tackles for losses, three pass breakups and a pair of interceptions in his career. He has an offer from the University of Chicago.

Shane Strayhorn, Sr, DB – A healthy Strayhorn could see himself earn all-league honors if not more, as a senior. He has 26 total tackles and three pass breakups in his career.

Cam Taylor, Jr, WR – Like Britt, the coaching staff is looking for Taylor to take his game up a notch as a junior. He had 18 receptions for 203 yards and a pair of touchdown catches in 2023.

Grant Hester, Jr, OT – A returning starter who gives the Bombers bookend tackles to run along with Kattus.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(30 appearances, 56-26 overall) – 2023, 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.

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Lakota West (11-3 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Centerville (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – CATHEDRAL (IN)(8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – WITHROW (12-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – MOELLER (10-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – at Elder (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – at Louisville Trinity (KY) (12-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at La Salle (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – ST. IGNATIUS (3-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (VA) (1-8) – 7:00 PM

2024 Active Leaders: GCL

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