Best Bets: Week 3

The third week of the 2024 high school football season is upon us as many teams have been making their statements heard around the area. Others however have some work to do to prove to themselves that they belong among the elite teams that will continue their season into the postseason. Last week several teams made their presence felt around the area. Lakota West, Winton Woods, Batavia, and Harrison all picked up huge wins and will look to continue to build on great seasons so far.

This week we have more of the same in several battles that could have great seeding implications come playoff time and help spark momentum in the present for the winning teams. In the GMC Lakota West travels to Princeton in what seems like a conference title game. Over in Kentucky, a major city rivalry takes place when Ryle travels to Cooper. East Central looks to get back on track against Moeller, and Milford travels to Forest Park to take on Winton Woods in a huge ECC tilt.

What can week three have in store? Can Lakota West turn on cruise control for a conference title? Just how many points are possible between Ryle and Cooper? We will see in a few short days. Here are the Best Bets for week three.

 

#2 LAKOTA WEST AT #4 PRINCETON

The Firebirds certainly look the part of a squad who would like to go beyond the regional final game that has stopped them the last several seasons. Evident in last week’s thrashing of Hamilton, West was clicking on all cylinders in the blowout win. The defense was fabulous as it has been over the years in a shutout win. The Firebirds gave up a mere 106 yards of total offense and only seven first downs. Grant Beerman paced the way with 11 tackles which is a surprise to no one.

West got their offense in a groove as well and were able to light up the scoreboard to the tune of 31 points. Quarterback Sam Wiles was once again in the forefront of the onslaught. Showing off his abilities, he passed for a pair of scores and also rushed for a pair. The Firebirds also got a great performance from Kenyon Norman who rushed for 63 yards and had three receptions for another 67 yards in the win.

Princeton bounced back from a week one home loss to Moeller with a dismantling of Sycamore. The offense found its groove and proved it by putting up 52 points. The rushing game was terrific as Princeton had five players rush for at least 20 yards. Teryntino Brown-Freeman had 88 yards on only four carries.

The defense took a step forward as well by shutting out the Aviators on their home field. Derrick Jeffries led the team with six tackles on the night as just about everyone made an impact. A shutout of a conference opponent is never anything to frown upon

Princeton beats who they’re supposed to and loses to who they’re supposed to. Don’t expect that to change in a big Lakota West win.

 

#13 RYLE AT #7 COOPER

If you’re a fan of offense then you’ll want to be seated squarely at midfield in Union, Kentucky Friday night. The battle of Union, KY features some prolific offenses that know how to make a scoreboard dance. Ryle leads the all-time series 13-3 but Cooper is poised to get themselves a fourth win in the series.

Ryle dispatched Conner last week without much of a fuss. Quarterback Nathan Verax was 14/17 for 169 yards and three touchdowns while only playing one half of football. Jacob Savage scored two touchdowns, and the defense was firm in barely allowing anything from the Cougars. The 46-8 win reminded Raider fans of how their program can be dominant. 

Cooper also had a relatively easy night in Lexington as they pummeled Henry Clay. Quarterback Cam O’Hara was 8/9 for 152 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters. Jaiden Combs scored three touchdowns on the night. Keagan Maher did the damage on the ground and the defense was all over in providing a shutout.

With offense a plenty, this just might come down to which defense can make a play or two to get an extra possession. Bet on the Jaguars squeezing out a huge home win.

 

#17 EAST CENTRAL AT #1 MOELLER

East Central will be looking to bounce back from a loss at Harrison last week where they gave up a late lead. They will need to get their defense on the right page as they gave up some big plays through the air a week ago. The Trojans will be taking a severe step up in competition this week and add on top of that the revenge factor as they defeated Moeller last season.

Moeller has been looking great to start the season with two solid wins over Princeton and Bishop Dwenger out of Fort Wayne. The Crusaders would like to improve to 2-0 against the state of Indiana with a win this week. Moeller’s Matt Ponatoski has been the best quarterback in the area through two weeks and wideout Matthew Fogler was a key target for him last week (5 rec, 97 yards, 2 TD). Defensively, Connor Cuozzo made life tough for Dwenger with five tackles and a sack.

East Central is no doubt a different team so far this year and will need to pull out all the stops for the upset. Moeller is the best bet here for a large win.

 

#14 MILFORD AT #6 WINTON WOODS

Milford hasn’t given up a single point so far this season as their defense has been a lock down unit through two weeks. The offense has put up big numbers albeit against Overwhelmed opponents. Luke Brand has passed it well and the running game has been hoppin’ as well.

Winton Woods’ defense has been stellar themselves this season against some offenses that are traditionally lights out. Justin Hill has anchored a defense that is only allowing 5.5 PPG and one total touchdown on the season. The offense has been a work in progress, so they’ll want to avoid a shootout with the Eagles. 

The home crowd and a tough defense are the ingredients for a big win. The Warriors should dance in the winner circle Friday night, but it won’t be easy.

 

GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game on the Blitz 5 Tour, No. 11 Kings at Loveland

Here are some other games for teams ranked inside the Blitz 5 Top 25:

OHIO

Little Miami at #5 Anderson

Springboro at #8 Elder

#4 Princeton at Sycamore

#19 Lakota East at #9 Hamilton

#12 La Salle at Fairmont

Northmont at #13 La Salle

#15 Middletown at Colerain

Indian Hill at #16 Harrison

#25 Oak Hills at #20 Mason

KENTUCKY

#10 Highlands at Campbell County

Simon Kenton at #18 Covington Catholic

Dixie Heights at #24 Beechwood

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