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Best Bets: Week 7

Conner QB Wyatt Hatfield

Four weeks are left in the regular season and we saw some movement and big time performances last week. There are many teams that have consistently been at the top of their games while others have been up and down. A few have had some head scratchers as well when it comes to performances.  A week ago Lawrenceburg, Moeller, St. Xavier, and Cooper all picked up wins that boosted their stock. Many squads will aim to do the same this week as we move one step closer to the postseason.

This week there are a number of meaningful games on the docket. A conference title can be won outright. A northern Kentucky crown of sorts is in play, and a battle in the SWOC should be a barn burner. Moeller and Elder meet for a fight at Nippert Stadium. Conner visits Cooper for a clash in NKY. Batavia visits Wilmington and Mount Healthy heads over to Harrison for an exciting conference battle. Winners will head to week 8 feeling good while the losers will look to regroup for a playoff push.

What will week 7 teach us? Can Elder win a big game outside of The Pit? Will Cooper stay dominant? Who runs the SWOC? It is definitely go time. Here are the Best Bets for week 7.

 

#8 ELDER AT #1 MOELLER 

(Nippert Stadium)

Elder is coming off of a heartbreaking home loss where they saw a late lead get wiped away on the final drive. They are now playing for a tie in the conference race. Sophomore quarterback Kaden Estep is second in the conference in passing yards and has some weapons that can make an impact on a game. Joey Thamann has over 400 yards rushing and Christopher Paff is second in the conference in receiving yards. That trio along with others make the Elder offense a threat to any defense.

Defensively the Panthers have been good but not great. Teams have been able to move the ball but have been held out of the end zone more than they would like as Elder only gives up just over 14 PPG. Cooper Sandhas has 47 tackles on the season and Derek Uran has a conference leading 6 sacks. The secondary led by Joey DiTullio (3 INT) will need to have their best foot forward as they face a dynamic passing game. 

Moeller WR Matt Fogler (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotion BySandy)

The story for Moeller has been the record-breaking play of quarterback Matt Ponatoski. The junior has arguably been they best player in the area through six weeks and possibly the state of Ohio. With 1,654 yards and 22 touchdowns, Ponatoski has completed 67 percent of his passes. Matthew Fogler, Jovan Love, and Roman Mason are all top ten in the conference in receiving. Tyler Joselyn and Dante Ware make up a great duo in the backfield.

Jacob Cravens and Jonah Hayes have been forces on the defensive front for the Crusaders. They have not produced an all-time Moeller defense of old as their offense has been so explosive that they just outscore teams. That side of the ball will need to keep Elder off balance and avoid a shootout type environment that could give the Panthers belief.

Elder has some pieces that can keep them in the game but too much Moeller firepower offensively should get them a GCL South title.

 

CONNER AT #6 COOPER

Conner has finished under .500 in four of the last five years. The Cougars are trying to avoid three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2005-07. With that as motivation, the 2024 team motto is “break the narrative.” So far, the 5-1 Cougars have done just that and are a big win away from really opening some eyes. Quarterback Wyatt Hatfield has really embraced his leadership role and his ability has never been an issue. Dion Abernathy has been a highlight in the backfield. Chase Caplinger and Elliot Bucher have big play ability. Defensively the squad has had impressive moments and upfront has been a big reason. The play of Dylan Stewart and Boden Roberts have been tremendous and not talked about enough.

Cooper has looked like a team on a mission to finish the job after a state championship loss. Cam O’Hara has been a start at the quarterback position. He has thrown 21 touchdowns against one interception and has amassed 1,561 yards through the air. Isaiah Johnson (584), Austin Alexander (405), and Jaiden Combs (329) are all special receiving talents. Keagan Maher does a little of everything at running back. He has 524 yards rushing and 108 yards receiving.

Cooper WR/DB Ryker Campbell (photo by Chris Granger/X: @regnargc)

The Cooper defense has been reliable as they have provided dominating efforts to shut down teams or they have come up with big defensively plays in tight games to push their squad over the finish line. Ryker Campbell has 42 tackles to lead the team. Mason Stanton and Austin Perriman have also been standouts among others.

Conner has a great turnaround story and have a great shot at a playoff berth but count on Cooper to be all business in a big win.

 

BATAVIA AT WILMINGTON

Batavia is off to a 5-1 start and looking like a team that could do some damage in the postseason. Quarterback Carson Harris has thrown for 2,037 yards and 24 touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs. He also has 326 yards on the ground.  Xavier Ison is a threat in the running and passing game as a receiver out of the backfield. Marcus Hughbanks is a major deep threat and has 779 yards receiving and 9 scores. Tristain Sparks has led the defense all season long. He has 8 sacks.

Jesse Keith and Bryson Schutte each have 67 tackles to lead the defensive unit at Wilmington and Malachi Cumberland has 7 sacks. They are a big reason why the Hurricane have won two of their last three games. Jake Stephen’s has led the offense with 935 passing yards and 7 touchdowns.

Batavia leads the conference standings and shouldn’t relinquish any ground this week. Bulldogs win.

MOUNT HEALTHY AT HARRISON

Jahmeir Spain has led the Owls to a great season so far at quarterback. He has 1,757 yards passing and 19 touchdowns. Ace Cooper, Jai’mier Scott, and Jeremiah Sanders are a trio of threats at wideout who can score at any moment. Raishawn Cotton already has a stagger 97 tackles and Tyshawn Spain has 68.

Harrison RB Cole Koops (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

Harrison has leaned on the legs of Cole Koops (924 yds, 7 TD) to wear opponents down and into submission. Dickie Engel has been great at quarterback as well throwing for 941 yards and 12 scores. Josh Addelsburger has 440 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns. Logan White may be the biggest key to this game. He has 45 tackles and 8.5 sacks.

The winner here would appear to be a lock for conference champion. It won’t be easy but look for a physical running game and great home crowd to push Harrison through for a win. 

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GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game on the Blitz 5 Tour, Turpin at #4 Anderson.

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

OHIO
#2 Lakota West at Sycamore
#5 Winton Woods at Loveland
#10 Hamilton at #25 Fairfield
#21 Mason at #15 Middletown
#20 Badin at Edgewood
#22 Milford at Lebanon

KENTUCKY
#12 Ryle at Louisville St. Xavier
Dixie Heights at #13 Highlands
Grant County at #14 Covington Catholic
#23 Beechwood at Walton-Verona

INDIANA
#19 East Central at Connersville

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