Best Bets: Week 14

We have made our way to week 14 and the importance of that is massive. We have reached the regional finals and teams that have made it this far have a chance to punch their ticket to the state final four. Some programs will be looking to do so for the first time in a long time while others are looking to get back to finish the job this time around. Whatever the case, every team wants to advance and give themselves a shot at a state championship. Who will do so is yet to be seen but what we know is that the competitiveness and fight for this game will be at an all-time high. Some hearts will be broken, and some will be filled with joy by the night’s end, but every player will be putting their best foot forward in an attempt to come out on top.

Teams had to have guts last week as they advanced to the regional finals in Ohio. Taft, La Salle, Anderson, and St. Xavier all dug deep to get impressive wins and move on. On regional final Friday, there is more to come. This week, St. Xavier looks to dethrone Moeller in division I. Taft clashes with Archbishop Alter for a second time this season. In Kentucky, Covington Catholic travels to Boyle County and in Indiana, Batesville visits Heritage Hills. There are some great games and storylines for us this week. Is it Friday yet?

Who will move a step closer to a championship? Can Moeller and Taft beat teams for a second time this year? Does Batesville have enough gas left in the tank? We can’t wait to find out. Here are the Best Bets for week 14.

 

DIVISION I, REGION 4

#5 ST. XAVIER VS #1 MOELLER

 

St. Xavier is now 10-3 and have been one of the hottest teams in the area as they have put together a six-game winning streak. The Bombers avenged a week one loss to Lakota West last week by surviving a second half Firebird comeback to get a thrilling win. The defense was again the story last week as they held down a high-octane offense and will need to do the same this week. St. Xavier has been in every ball game as their three losses are by a combined 16 points. This includes a previous loss to Moeller by a score of 45-37.

Chase Herbstreit has been the leading man for St. Xavier. The senior quarterback has been a driving force in the Bombers success this season. Herbstreit is close to 1500 yards passing on the season and nears 600 yards on the ground in his dual-threat abilities. Daniel Vollmer has paced the rushing attack with 738 yards on the ground and Jake Britt is the man they look to most in the passing game (45 rec, 429 yds). Kobe Clapper led the conference in tackles and finished fourth in sacks as he is considered the premiere defender in the league by being named co-defensive player of the year. He led the way once again with 10 tackles last week.

Moeller boasts a nine-game winning streak and has not lost to an area team. At 12-1, they have been quite dominant on the season and have scored 28 or more points in every win this year. The Crusaders took down a talented Princeton squad for the second time this season and did so while possibly not playing their “A” game. Moeller overcame some uncharacteristic mistakes to still get a comfortable win. Moeller’s defense was able to keep a high scoring Princeton offense in check after the first drive of the game to help get the win.

Matt Ponatoski has been Moeller’s star as he has lit up the stat sheet and torn up the record books. He has thrown for 3,406 yards and a staggering 48 touchdowns. He’s thrown for four or more touchdowns in a game eight times this season. Tyler Joselyn has been a mainstay in the running game and Matthew Fogler, Jovan Love, and Roman Mason are big threats in the passing game. Jacob Cravens and Jonah Hayes are stars defensively.

St. Xavier is playing great but may have caught Moeller at the wrong time after a less than stellar performance. Look for the Crusaders to get back to themselves and win a hard-fought ball game.

DIVISION IV, REGION 16

#10 ARCHBISHOP ALTER VS #5 TAFT

Alter has won five straight games and have a great deal of momentum this late in the season. The Knights are 8-5 and have hit their stride when it has mattered most. The defense has been good all season long but they have really turned it up a notch as of late. They are giving up a mere 3.8 PPG during their winning streak and have shut out three of those opponents. The Knights will look to avenge an earlier loss to Taft where they gave up a season high 36 points back in week three.

Alter wants to run the football in a physical manner and Drew Cripps and Noah Jones have obliged to that fact. Cripps has rushed for 913 yards and 10 touchdowns while Jones isn’t far behind with 829 yards and  8 touchdowns. They pose a tough dual punch for defenses to contend with and they hope to be a big factor on Friday night. Defensively, Connor Watkins (123), Wyatt Reifschneider (114), and Nolan Ogburn (96) all are big tacklers who get players on the ground immediately.

Taft sits at 11-2 and have a winning streak of their own that currently rests at seven games. The Senators have been explosive on offense and have put up some big numbers all season long. This includes a 76 point outburst last month. Taft dominated Indian Hill last week but shutting down their potent run game and will look to do it again against another high-level rushing attack.

Monsanna Torbert has been great at quarterback. Torbert has thrown for 1,970 yards on the year and rushed for 627. The sophomore has amassed 30 total touchdowns and is getting better every week. Eddie Holloway and Lorenzo McMullen have been constant threats in the passing game at wide receiver as they can beat you deep at any given time. Defensively the Senators have relied on a bevy of talent. Aaron Dowdell Jr. (123) and Adam Kirtley (125) both are tackling machines. Bryce Brewster (20), Chayse Mack (12), and Drayden Pavey (11.5) are all sack masters.

This one could go either way depending on whose style of play wins out. Taft has a little more offense and will get enough points to pull through in a close ball game.

 

KHSAA Class 4A playoffs, 3rd round (Elite 8)

COVINGTON CATHOLIC AT BOYLE COUNTY

Covington Catholic has had yet another strong season as the Colonels sit at 10-2. They overcame a slow start to get a come from behind victory last week over Johnson Central. The Colonels trailed 13-0 after almost two quarters and dug deep to win a 14-13 contest. Quarterback Cash Harney has been a star player for CovCath this season doing damage with his arm and legs. Dylan Gaiser has been strong at running back and Oliver Link is a big threat in the passing game.

Boyle County is on a 32-game win streak over the last three seasons and have won the last two Class 4A state titles. They have beaten every team this season by 17 points or more and majority of those wins have been severe blowouts. They were last ranked 13th in the nation. 

Covington Catholic will need to do some serious work to come out on top in this one. If the defense can hold up against that high-powered offense, anything can happen.

 

IHSAA Playoffs, Class 3A semi state (final four)

BATESVILLE AT HERITAGE HILLS

Batesville is 9-3 and will make a 180-mile bus ride to take on Heritage Hills on Friday night. A trip to the state championship in Indianapolis is on the line. Will Jaisle has been a big-time performer for the Bulldogs. Jaisle has thrown for 1,799 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. Gage Pohlman has led the rushing attack with 1,230 yards and 10 scores. Damien Dance has 59 receptions for 880 yards and 10 big touchdowns. Defensively the Bulldogs have gotten a big season out of Judd Renck who has 92 tackles.

Heritage Hills will go as far as quarterback Jett Goldsberry can take them. The junior play caller is a dual threat in the backfield. Goldsberry has passed for 1,507 yards and 23 touchdowns. In the running game he has amassed 1,418 yards and 23 more scores. Tailback Hunter Meredith is a big threat as well with 917 yards and 13 TD.

Batesville has their work cut out for them but if they can make Heritage Hills one dimensional, they can pull off the upset.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game, #2 La Salle vs #1 Anderson at Princeton High School.

 

Related Posts

• 
  Preview: #2 La Salle vs. #1 Anderson
• 
  TSF Week 13 Recap Show
• 
  2024 OHSAA Playoffs: Regional Finals

You must be logged in to post a comment Login