TriStateFootball.com
Home / Cincinnati / Best Bets: Week 15

Best Bets: Week 15

Hello week 15, it’s nice to see you again. We have made it to the state final four in Ohio and two big wins can put a team in the history books forever as they can call themselves a state champion for the rest of their lives. A semi-final game can be one of the hardest to get through as both sides feel so close to a chance at playing for a championship. Everyone will have their “A” games with them and ready when things kickoff on Friday night. Once again we know that the spirit for this game will be at an all-time high and unfortunately a handful of those playing this Friday will come up on the shortened end of the stick. That however doesn’t change the anticipation for this week’s games.

Several teams can call themselves champions of their regions with their big wins a week ago. They got a bit of a taste of what could be by punching their tickets to state and even got to hoist a trophy to make things really seem attainable. Now they will look to do more and we have some great matchups going down in the state final four. Moeller puts their undefeated mark vs Ohio teams on the line in a southwestern Ohio matchup against Centerville. Anderson hopes to keep pushing on in a matchup against Big Walnut. Taft will head to Columbus for a date with Indian Valley and over in Kentucky, Ryle aims to get a step closer to a 6A crown. The stakes are high and the prize for those who win is sweet.

Who will play for a state crown? Can Moeller finally get back to the title game again? Is Taft ready to make more history of their own? It’s just about time to find out. Here are the Best Bets for week 15.

 

DIVISION I

#2 CENTERVILLE VS. #1 MOELLER

 

Centerville is 11-3 and winners of nine straight ball games as they have been one of the hottest teams in Ohio over the last two months. The Elks have been strong defensively during that stretch as they have only allowed 14 points twice and have held teams to seven or less points four times. Offensively Centerville has maybe been even better as they have been able to put a lot of points on the scoreboard each week. They have averaged 34.7 PPG during their current win streak and have scored over 30 six times.

The Elks have been a balanced unit this season and have several players who can impact a game and have breakout performances. Shane Cole has been a bright spot at quarterback. Cole is a dual threat nightmare for defenses as he has passed for over 1400 yards with 12 touchdowns and has rushed for 853 yards and another 10 scores. His mate in the backfield is Parker Johnson who has rushed for 1,266 yards and 25 TD. Defensively Jacob Taylor is a tackling machine and Brady Seeley led the GWOC with 9.5 sacks.

Moeller defeated rival St. Xavier for the second time this season and have not lost a game to a team in Ohio all year. The Crusaders own a 10 game win streak of their own going and have dominated anyone not names St. Xavier all season long. The Moeller offense has put up 28 or more points in every game of the streak including 50 points or more three times. Their defense although not dominant, has been able to get off the field in timely situations.

Moeller WR Jovan Love (Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy )

Matt Ponatoski is the head of the snake for the Crusaders. The junior quarterback will hold every record in the school’s history by the time he is a graduate. This is Ponatoski’s third state semi-final game of his career. He has thrown for over 3600 yards and 50 touchdowns so far this season. Matthew Fogler and Jovan Love are rangy targets on the perimeter and Tyler Joselyn has paced the rushing attack. Look for Jacob Cravens and Jonah Hayes to solidify the defense.

Centerville is an opponent comparable to GCL South Rivals and Moeller has been able to take care of those rivals all season. Look for the Crusaders to march on to the state championship game in Division I.

 

DIVISION II

 

#1 BIG WALNUT VS. #1 ANDERSON

Big Walnut is 13-1 and since a week one loss, they have ran the table. The Golden Eagles are coming off of a big regional final upset of defending state champion Massilon Washington. Big Walnut showed a defensive pedigree that they hope will travel this week as they held the Tigers to a mere 7 points in the win. Brody Hatfield caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Stumpf in the first half and Nolan Buirley took the opening second half kickoff 96 yards to juice up the crowd and provide the scoring. The Golden Eagles would not relinquish their lead from that point in the close win.

The defense smothered a high-powered Massillon offense that had averaged more than 30 points per game this season. Austin Kawasaki led the Eagles with seven tackles, consistently stuffing the Tigers’ attempts to establish their ground game. William Clawson followed closely with 6.5 tackles, providing critical stops in the trenches. Eli Helton notched the team’s only sack, an 11-yard loss that forced Massillon into long-yardage situations. Brody Hatfield was a two-way standout, recording a key interception late in the 4th quarter.

Anderson TE Caden Piening (photo by Dan Bieneke/TriStateFootball.com)

Anderson is unbeaten and are looking to avenge last season’s loss in the state semi-finals. The Raptors took care of La Salle last week in a different style of ball game that should be able to help them out this week. The Raptors had to grind one out in a different manner than they have become accustomed to and it may pay dividends this week. Anderson is explosive however as they average a staggering 48.9 PPG. The defense has pulled their weight this season as well and only give up 9 PPG.

Anderson is led by QB Justice Burnam who has put up big numbers in a pass heavy attack. He has thrown for over 3700 yards and 41 touchdowns. Trace Jallick has 95 receptions for 1,788 and 20 scores and Caden Piening is a big target with athleticism at tight end. Durrell Turner is a key in the run game. He’s rushed for over 1100 yards and 26 scores. Owen Bergman leads the revamped defense with 77 tackles.

This should be a physical ball game and Anderson has improved their physicality this season. Combined with their potent offense, they should be able to do enough damage to push through to the championship. Anderson moves on.

DIVISION IV

 

#5 TAFT VS #2 INDIAN VALLEY

Taft sits at 12-2 and have a winning streak of their own that currently rests at eight 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 Alter last week but shutting down their potent run game and will look to do it again against another high-level rushing attack.

Taft WR Nijia Hill (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Monsanna Torbert has been great at quarterback. Torbert has thrown for over 2,000 yards on the year and rushed for over 700. The sophomore has amassed 30 plus 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.

Indian Valley is undefeated at 14-0 and do major damage on the offensive side of the ball. They have scored 40 or more points in every game this season. The Braves have rushed for over 5,000 yards as a team this season as they look to pound the ball with a physical rushing attack. They have 40 sacks and 23 interceptions as a team defensively and have not had a close ball game all season.

Junior tailback Grady Kinsey has had a breakout season with 2,844 yards rushing and 42 touchdowns. Ryker Williams, a sophomore quarterback has 1,255 yards and 13 scores as they provide a dynamic 1-2 punch in the backfield.

Indian Valley does major damage on the ground and Taft has the players to give them a hard time. Senators move on to the state title in division IV.

 

KENTUCKY CLASS 6A

 

GREAT CROSSING AT RYLE

Ryle sits at 12-2 and have been on a mission to get a 6A state title. They are now just a game away from a shot at the championship and may be considered the favorites as long as they don’t overlook their opponent. The Raiders dispatched Central Hardin last week and looked dominant in doing so as their offense got going and put up 43 points. Ryle knocked off Great Crossing back in week eight by a score of 36-8 and another strong showing like that one will catapult them into the state championship game at Kroger Field.

Ryle RB/LB Jacob Savage (photo by: Chris Granger/X: @regnargc)

Jacob Savage has been the man for the Raiders on both sides of the ball as he has been able to hurt teams with his running abilities on offense and also easily stop the run on defense. He has been a leader both with his play and vocally as well. Nathan Verax has run the show at quarterback and Drake Meadows has been the quarterback of the Ryle secondary.

Ryle has all the makings of a state champion, they now just have to go out and do it. Raiders roll on to Lexington.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game, Highlands at Cooper.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login