It is Week 5 of the high school football season, which means we are already approaching the halfway point of the regular season. The first four weeks have flown by, and the games are becoming increasingly important as teams begin to establish where they stand heading into the second half of the schedule.
Last week provided plenty of excitement across the Tri-State. Wyoming survived Indian Hill in a 48-47 triple-overtime thriller, while Colerain needed overtime to knock off Fairfield, 34-28. Anderson made a statement with a 52-13 road win over Lebanon, and Harrison remained unbeaten by taking down Withrow, 22-13.
Week 5 brings another loaded slate.
Kings travels to Anderson for a ranked ECC battle. La Salle heads to Hamilton to take on undefeated Badin in an intriguing GCL South vs. GCL Co-Ed matchup. In the GMC, unbeaten Lakota West visits unbeaten Princeton in a showdown with major league-title implications. Across the river in Kentucky, Highlands makes the trip to Ryle.
There are plenty of opportunities for teams to make statements this Friday night. Here are the Best Bets for Week 5.
#20 Kings at #6 Anderson
Kings has been a dominant force in its three victories, scoring 121 total points while controlling opponents on both sides of the ball. In the Knights’ lone loss to Winton Woods, however, things were completely reversed as they were shut out, 35-0. Which version of Kings shows up Friday night will be vital.
Oliver Young has rushed for 410 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while Nathan Tucker ranks second in the league in receiving with 365 yards and four scores. Jack Pearson leads the Knights defensively with 24 tackles.
Anderson has been even more dominant during its current three-game winning streak. The Raptors have blown out three consecutive opponents and appear to be back on track following an uncharacteristic Week 1 defeat.
Anderson has scored at least 50 points in all three victories, including a 70-point outburst in Week 2. The Raptors have surrendered just 46 total points during that three-game stretch.
Owen Scalf leads the league in passing with 1,105 yards and 12 touchdowns through four games. Tysin Weaver is his top target and the league’s leading receiver with 523 yards and eight scores. Jerod Lindsey, Antwoine Higgins and Ace Alston have helped pace the defense.
Anderson has established itself as the dominant force in the ECC. Bet on the Raptors to stay hot.
#13 La Salle at #14 Badin
After a 2-0 start, La Salle has dropped two straight and will be looking to get back on track this week. A 35-0 loss to Elder a week ago should have the Lancers motivated as they try to end their short losing skid.
La Salle has shown plenty of toughness this season and still looks capable of being a threat come playoff time. Quarterback Garrett Fraley has been the primary source of offense for the Lancers. Fraley has thrown for 396 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 227 yards and another score.
Tyler Roby and Jack McLaughlin have provided threats at wide receiver, while Haden Neff leads the GCL South with 39 tackles.
Badin enters the matchup undefeated but will undoubtedly face its stiffest competition of the season Friday night. The Rams have plenty of offensive firepower along with a stingy defense, and this matchup should provide a good indication of where they stand against one of the area’s top programs.
Chase Even is a dynamic tailback who leads the GCL Co-Ed in rushing with 430 yards and five touchdowns. Hudson Heid has more than 200 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. Defensively, Balin Wong and Rylan Osterberger have four sacks apiece, tying them for the league lead.
Badin’s two-quarterback system is also something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
A Badin victory would further establish the undefeated Rams as one of the teams to beat in their division. La Salle, meanwhile, desperately wants to regain some momentum after consecutive losses.
Bet on the Lancers to secure the road win.
#3 Lakota West at #1 Princeton
Lakota West enters Week 5 at 4-0 and tied atop the GMC standings with Princeton. The Firebirds are back to their winning ways after a 2025 season that fell short of the lofty standard the program had established in previous years.
Kenyon Norman has been one of the area’s best running backs and has delivered consistently every week. He has rushed for 800 yards and 13 touchdowns already this season, including three consecutive 200-yard performances. He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
Judah Blair and Roman Combs have helped lead a Firebirds defense that has been excellent at producing tackles and creating turnovers.
Princeton has been equally dominant during its 4-0 start. The Vikings have taken a major step forward and have established themselves as one of the area’s premier teams.
Monsanna Torbert ranks fifth in the GMC in passing and sixth in rushing, showing the ability to break down defenses through the air or on the ground. Running back Jordan Hall has been an explosive playmaker, scoring 11 touchdowns on just 43 offensive touches.
Lorenzo McMullen Jr. gives Princeton another dangerous weapon on the outside, while Terrance Jones Jr. and Jon Civils have shown an ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Two unbeaten teams. Two of the area’s best rosters. And a game that could have enormous implications in the GMC race.
This is a tough one to call. Bet on Princeton to sneak out a win.
#10 Highlands at Ryle
Highlands enters at 3-1 and has won three straight games following a Week 1 loss. The Bluebirds have gotten back on track in impressive fashion, putting up big offensive numbers throughout their winning streak.
Highlands has also been one of the area’s more balanced offensive teams, averaging 185 passing yards and 163 rushing yards per game.
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Armstrong has been a threat with both his arm and his legs. Tayden Lorenzen gives the Bluebirds another versatile weapon who can contribute throughout the offense while also making an impact at linebacker.
Ryle enters at 1-3 and has lost two straight games. The competition has been steep for a young Raiders squad trying to regroup after graduating a number of experienced players from last year’s team.
Ryle has managed just six combined points in its three losses and has been shut out in each of its past two games. The Raiders will need a superb effort on both sides of the ball to pull off the upset.
Highlands comes in with momentum and an offense that has been rolling.
Bet on Highlands to get a big road 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, No. 4 Moeller at No. 5 St. Xavier
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Here are some other games for teams ranked inside the Blitz 5 Top 25:
OHIO
#8 Lakota East at Hamilton
#9 Middletown at #18 Colerain
#15 Harrison at Ross
#17 Oak Hills at #21 Mason
Little Miami at #19 Lebanon
#24 Wyoming at Taylor
KENTUCKY
#23 Beechwood at #11 Covington Catholic
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