What more could you ask for than two schools at the top of their game playing for the Division I state title. The Blitz 5 Game of the Week takes up to Canton where the established old guard St. Xavier takes on upstart Olentangy Orange. The Bombers are making their eight appearance in the finale. This the first trip to the big game for the Pioneers. St. Xavier was the last Cincinnati-area team to win the big school crown back in 2020.
ST.XAVIER BOMBERS (11-2) vs. OLENTANGY ORANGE PIONEERS (14-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., December 5th, 2025
Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
Follow on X: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The St. Xavier defense has hit its stride down the stretch. The unit boasts of four senior Division I commits – Kobe Clapper (Notre Dame), Aden Reeder (Michigan), Brayden Reilly (Clemson) and Daniel Vollmer (Vanderbilt). A pair of defensive linemen sophomore Griffin Lyons and junior Josh Fasbender are also picking up offers. Reeder leads the Bombers with 10.0 sacks and 16.5 tackles for losses. Lyons is right behind him with 9.0 sacks and 16.0 tackles for losses. Reilly has a team best four interceptions.
St. Xavier quarterback Jackson Frey has thrown for 2,401 yards with 15 of his 25 touchdown passes coming in the last seven games. Vollmer has been a force on offense during the playoffs. He has 372 yards from scrimmage and seven of his 10 touchdowns in the postseason.
Olentangy Orange is led by 2025 Ohio Mr. Football Finalist, Levi Davis. A dual-threat and Ohio University commit, Davis has amassed more than 3,000 yards of total offense and accounted for 32 touchdowns (17 rush, 15 pass). Classmates, running back Lucas Fickel is a perfect compliment to Davis out of the backfield and lineman Remley Bowen (6-3/290) opens up huge holes behind his large frame.
Senior linebacker Carter Kuhn sets the tone for the Pioneers defense. Treyton Schroeder, a 2024 All-Ohio performer came into the season with 15 career interceptions.
TEAM TRENDS: Both schools have one common opponent, Westerville North. Olentangy Orange beat the Warriors 42-0 in Week 2. St. Xavier took down Westerville North, 28-0 two Fridays later.
St. Xavier has won seven in a row against teams who are a combined 60-28. The Bombers have held six of those foes to 14 points or less. They have also avenged both of their losses during their winning streak.
The Olentangy Orange defense has been spectacular, holding 13 of their 14 victims to 17 points or less (the other one to 21 points). The Pioneers are giving up just 9.6 points per contest. The offense puts up 35.8 points per game.
HEAD COACHES:
St. Xavier: Steve Specht (197-79 at St. Xavier, 22nd year; 196-79 overall)
Olentangy Orange: Wes Schroeder (23-3 at Olentangy Orange, second year; 75-18 overall, eighth year)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
St. Xavier (32nd appearance, 64-27 overall) – 2025 (Regional Champion), 2024, 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.
Olentangy Orange (11th appearance, 7-10) – 2025 (Regional Champion), 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2011, 2009
XAVIER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Bombers offense needs to cherish and make the most of every possession against a stingy Pioneers defense. Containing Davis will be a top priority for the defense. He is a handful but St. Xavier has Reeder and Clapper who are more than capable of keeping him corralled.
OLENTANGY ORANGE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Pioneers can’t get lost in the moment of playing in the big game. A loss of focus early on could give St. Xavier just enough of a window to be the difference in the contest. Olentangy Orange can’t let that happen. On offense, the skill players other than Davis have to step up and be productive.
Prediction: Olentangy Orange 17, St. Xavier 13
