With the postseason in full swing across the tri-state, teams across all divisions and regions of play had big games on Friday night, including top-ranked Princeton taking on Middletown, Moeller and Winton Woods, and St. X at Lakota West. Meanwhile, Highlands, Covington Catholic, and Lloyd Memorial began their quest to reach the state finals in Kentucky.
The number one seed in Division I, region IV, Princeton, survived a scare from the Middletown Middies that threatened their perfect season, before Sean Torbert and the Vikings offense rattled off 22 unanswered points to score the 27-6 victory, setting up a rematch next week with Moeller.
Here’s a look at the biggest games, standout performances and headlines from around the Tri-state in this week’s Friday Night TSF Blitz.
GRAHAM GOLDEN AS ST. XAVIER TKO’S LAKOTA WEST
On an evening headlined by major matchups between some of Cincinnati’s elite programs, the GCL South proved to be the conference to beat early this postseason, as Moeller defeated Winton Woods, 21-7, Elder defeated Springfield 37–20, and St. X utilized a ferocious offensive attack, spearheaded by junior tailback Aiden Graham, to upset the Lakota West Firebirds by a final score of 51-14.
🎧 LISTEN: St. Xavier Head Coach Steve Specht on High School Football Tonight On FOX Sports 1360
Graham has been one of the most underrated players in the tri-state all season, as the Bombers running back racked up 822 yards and four touchdowns throughout the regular season, before exploding in the playoffs. On Friday night, Graham had a dominating XXX yards rushing and 5 touchdowns against the vaunted Firebirds defense.
AROUND THE TRI-STATE
CINCINNATI
Ohio DI, Region 4
Moeller 21, Winton Woods 7
After starting the season sluggishly on offense, Crusaders head coach Bert Bathiany has found the correct formula to take Moeller back to the state finals in Canton this December, and it starts with the arm of breakout sophomore quarterback Hunter McLaughlin.
McLaughlin in his very first postseason start, was flawless for the Crusaders, connecting with fellow sophomore wideout Jayden Davis and senior Reggie Watson for touchdowns versus the Warriors defense.
🎧 LISTEN: Moeller Head Coach Bert Bathiany on High School Football Tonight On FOX Sports 1360
Additionally, the impressive Moeller defense seized the momentum throughout the night, forcing multiple turnovers and also stopping the Warriors offense on the goal-line to close out the first half of play, and keep the lead at 10 heading into the locker rooms.
Junior tailback Juice Glover-Brown continues to impress for the Crusaders, as he added another touchdown onto his season total of 11.
With the win, the Crusaders will move on to face the top-seeded Princeton Vikings next Friday night.
FULL GAME RECAP: Moeller bullies Winton Woods in regional quarterfinals
Ohio DIII, Region 12
McNicholas 10, Alter 0
Coming off of the first round bye, the McNicholas Rockets defeated fellow GCL co-ed rival Alter by a final score of 10-0. The win is the eighth-straight victory for the Rockets following a slow 1- 2 start. Throughout the winning streak, Rockets head coach Mike Orlando has relied heavily on his stout defense, and the contest against the visiting Knights of Alter was no different, as the
After their win over the Indian Hill Braves last week, the Alter Knights came into tonight’s contest looking for a get-right game against the Rockets following their first meeting resulting in a loss.
Senior linebacker Jake Botti and the Knights defense did everything they could to halt McNicholas senior quarterback Evan Sandfoss, but they were unable to extend their season, as the Rockets physical offense and suffocating defense proved to be more than enough.
KENTUCKY
Class 4A
Covington Catholic 35, Johnson Central 7
Following a turbulent regular season that saw big wins and tough losses, the Covington Catholic
Colonels opened their 2026 postseason with a nice win over Johnson Central by a final score of 35-7 on Friday night.
Junior quarterback Dylan Courtney opened the scoring for the Colonels with a 43-yard rushing touchdown early in the contest, setting up what would be a great night for their offense. Senior tailback Cash Meyers also tallied a one-yard rushing touchdown for CovCath.
From there, the Colonels leaned heavily on their standout sophomore tailback Kiyan Miller, who didn’t miss a beat following his impressive regular season, rushing for well over 100 yards while also tacking on three rushing touchdowns.
Courtney also added 103 passing yards on seven attempts, as Covington Catholic made their possessions count in a game in which their opponent, Johnson Central, had more than twice the amount of total plays from scrimmage during the contest.
INDIANA
CLASS 4A
East Central 63, Columbus East 30
In another convincing win on Friday night, the East Central Trojans won their sixth straight sectional title in the IHSAA playoffs. Led by standout senior tailback Ryan Minges, the Trojans made easy work of the visiting Olympians, 63-30.
By just the end of the third quarter, Minges had already racked up 201 yards rushing on 17 carries, and also tacked on three touchdowns to add to his dominant season for the Trojans.
🎧 LISTEN: East Central Head Coach Jake Meiners on High School Football Tonight On FOX Sports 1360
Additionally, junior tailback Jake Marsh added a career high 166 rushing yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns of his own, further solidifying the Trojans backfield as one of the best in the tri-state.
With the sectional title, the Trojans will move onto the IHSAA regionals next weekend, which is just one step away from the state finals in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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FRIDAY NIGHT STARS
Aiden Graham, RB, St. Xavier – 30 attempts, 252 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns vs. Lakota
West
Landon Spaulding, QB, Bishop Brossart – Ran for three touchdowns and threw for another vs. Dayton
Owen Scalf, QB, Anderson – 30/36, 425 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception vs.
Withrow
Damarco Jackson, Newport – 205 yards and four touchdowns vs, Ludlow
Jordan Hall, RB, Princeton – 16 attempts, 156 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns vs. Middletown
Antoine Higgins, DB, Anderson – 3 tackles total, 3 solo tackles, 1 20-yard interception
touchdown
Sa’Vion Davis, QB, Withrow – 10/16, 113 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 16
rushing attempts, 188 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns vs. Anderson
BLITZ 5 GAME OF THE WEEK
ANDERSON 58, WITHROW 28
The Anderson Raptors offense continued its offensive dominance Friday night, blowing out the visiting Withrow Tigers by a score of 58-28. Senior quarterback Owen Scalf used his band of weapon senior wideouts Tegan Jallick, Cooper Kathman, and Tysin Weaver to another 50+ point offensive showcase, including 5 touchdowns to the three receivers combined.
Read the complete Blitz 5 Game of the Week recap: Scalf, Raptors offense roll over Withrow in playoff tilt
SCOREBOARD SNAPSHOT
Princeton 27, Middletown 6
Elder 37, Springboro 20
Trotwood-Madison 39 Edgewood 7
Harrison 22, Talawanda 21 🎧 LISTEN: Harrison Head Coach Derek Rehage on High School Football Tonight On FOX Sports 1360
Tippecanoe 42, Goshen 0
Kenton Ridge 28, Wyoming 21
Urbana 45, North College Hill 38
CHCA 38, Wilmington 20
Bishop Fenwick 34, Miami East 0
Deer Park 44, Covington 10
Versailles 35, CCPA 10
Riverside 49, Cincinnati Country Day 13
Newport Central Catholic 35, Trimble County 0
Bishop Brossart 35, Dayton 14
Lloyd Memorial 35, East Carter 6
Newport 44, Ludlow 22 GAME RECAP: Newport topples Ludlow
Holy Cross 41, Bellevue 7
Highlands 50, Boyd County 0
Ryle 39, Fern Creek 0
Milan 27, North Decatur 16
Lawrenceburg 28, Batesville 14 GAME RECAP: Lawrenceburg captures sectional
Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on X.
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