There is a new face atop the Blitz 5 Top 25 presented by TriStateFootball.com after Elder took down then No.1 Moeller last Friday, in front of a packed house at The Pit, for the GCL South title. The Panthers are one of five teams in the rankings that remain unbeaten along with No. 3 Anderson, No. 9 Taft, No. 14 Badin and No. 24 Indian Hill.
No. 1 Elder will host No. 5 Highlands highlighting the marquee of three matchups between ranked teams in Week 8. Other Top 25 matchups include No. 6 St. Xavier welcoming in No. 10 La Salle and No. 15 Middletown is at No. 20 Mason.
Here’s the Blitz 5 Top 25 for Week 8:
1. Elder (7-0, 3-0) – LAST WEEK: beat then #1 MOELLER (5-2, 2-1), 24-16. The Panthers have won the GCL South title outright for the first time since 2008. NEXT UP: 10/10 – #5 HIGHLANDS (6-1).
2. Moeller (5-2, 2-1) – LAST WEEK: lost at then #2 Elder (7-0, 3-0), 24-16. Big Moe was held to a season low, 16 points at Elder. NEXT UP: 10/10 – ST. IGNATIUS (1-6).
3. Anderson (6-0, 5-0) – LAST WEEK: won at Turpin (4-3, 4-2), 58-16. The Raptors are averaging 51.0 points per game. NEXT UP: 10/10 – WALNUT HILLS (2-5, 1-5).
4. Princeton (6-1, 6-0) – LAST WEEK: beat HAMILTON (1-6, 1-5), 28-16. The Vikings have a -12 turnover ratio (-6 in GMC play). NEXT UP: 10/10 – at Oak Hills (4-3, 3-3).
5. Highlands (6-1, 2-0) – LAST WEEK: beat then #12 COVINGTON CATHOLIC (4-3, 1-1), 31-28. The Bluebirds are 3-1 in games decided by four points or less. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at #1 Elder (7-0) .
6. St. Xavier (5-2, 0-2) – LAST WEEK: beat LOUISVILLE TRINITY (KY) (5-2), 17-14. The Bombers haven’t scored more than 28 points in a game this season and are averaging just 18.4 points per game. NEXT UP: 10/10 – #9 LA SALLE (5-2, 0-2).
7. Kings (6-1, 5-1) – LAST WEEK: won at Little Miami (1-6, 1-5), 21-14. The Knights are 3-0 in games decided by seven points or less. NEXT UP: 10/10 – MILFORD (1-6, 1-5).
8. Winton Woods (6-1, 5-1) – LAST WEEK: beat LOVELAND (2-5, 2-4), 19-10. The Warriors defense is allowing just 11.0 points per game and no one has scored more than 17 on them. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at West Clermont (2-5, 1-5).
9. Taft (7-0, 2-0) – LAST WEEK: beat HUGHES (3-4, 0-2), 41-0. The Senators shutout the last four teams that they have faced by a combined score of 200-0. NEXT UP: 10/10 – WESTERN HILLS (2-5, 1-1).
10. La Salle (5-2, 0-2) – LAST WEEK: beat RONCALLI (IN)(4-3), 22-14. The Lancers have lost five straight to St. Xavier, the last three all by nine points. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at #6 St. Xavier (5-2, 0-2).
11. Ryle (3-3) – LAST WEEK: on a bye. Senior Dylan Lee has three interceptions this season and 10 for his career. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at Campbell County (2-4).
12. Lakota West (4-3, 4-2) – LAST WEEK: won at Colerain (1-6, 1-5), 48-9.The Firebirds have won 18 consecutive games in October dating all the way back to a 2020 loss to St. Xavier in the regional championship. NEXT UP: 10/10 – SYCAMORE (0-7, 0-6).
13. Covington Catholic (4-3, 1-1) – LAST WEEK: lost at #5 Highlands (6-1, 2-0), 31-28. The Colonels have three losses by eight, six and three points. NEXT UP: 10/10 – INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (IN) (5-2).
14. Badin (7-0, 2-0) – LAST WEEK: beat FENWICK (3-4, 0-2), 41-13. The Rams have won every game by 14 points or more and have 24.4 point average margin of victory. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at Carroll (1-6, 0-2).
15. Middletown (6-1, 5-1) – LAST WEEK: beat then #14 LAKOTA EAST (4-3, 3-3), 27-6. The Middies have held five of their last six opponents to nine points or less. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at #20 Mason (3-4, 3-3).
16. Lakota East (4-3, 3-3) – LAST WEEK: lost at then #16 Middletown (6-1, 5-1), 27-6. In their three losses the Thunderhawks have allowed 295.3 yards rushing per defeat, 7,2 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns on the ground. NEXT UP: 10/10 – COLERAIN (1-6, 1-5).
17. Fairfield (4-3, 3-3) – LAST WEEK: beat #17 MASON (3-4, 3-3), 14-13. The Indians have won four of their last five contests. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at Hamilton (1-6, 1-5).
18. East Central (6-1, 3-0) – LAST WEEK: beat CONNERSVILLE (3-4, 0-1), 63-0. The Trojans have outscored their last three opponents, 174-6. NEXT UP: 10/10 – GREENSBURG (1-6).
19. Cooper (4-3, 2-0) – LAST WEEK: won at Dixie Heights (2-5, 1-1), 42-13. Quarterback Cam O’Hara topped the 10,000 yard mark passing (10,040 and counting). NEXT UP: 10/17 – at Scott (2-4, 1-1) .
20. Mason (3-4, 3-3) – LAST WEEK: lost at then #18 Fairfield (4-3, 3-3), 14-13. The Comets are averaging just 79.2 yards per game through the air. NEXT UP: 10/10 – #15 MIDDLETOWN (6-1, 5-1).
21. Lebanon (5-2, 4-2) – LAST WEEK: won at Milford (1-6, 1-5), 37-21. The Warriors are averaging 26.6 yards on 25 kickoff returns. NEXT UP: 10/10 – TURPIN (4-3, 4-2).
22. Withrow (5-2, 1-1) – LAST WEEK: beat WOODWARD (0-7, 0-2), 80-0. The Tigers have recorded 10 shutouts in their last 22 wins dating back to the beginning of 2023. NEXT UP: 10/10 – AIKEN (5-2, 2-0).
23. Beechwood (5-1, 2-0) – LAST WEEK: won at Walton-Verona (1-5, 0-2), 69-0. The Tigers are averaging 49.5 points per contest. NEXT UP: 10/10 – ST. HENRY (2-4, 2-0).
24. Indian Hill (7-0, 4-0) – LAST WEEK: Beat FINNEYTOWN (1-6, 0-4), 48-0. The Braves have allowed just seven first half points all season. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at Madeira (4-3, 3-1).
25. CHCA (7-1) – LAST WEEK: beat MEADOWDALE (2-5), 41-112. Senior Max Labin has six interceptions this season and 10 for his career. NEXT UP: 10/10 – at Purcell Marian (3-4).
DROPPED OUT: none
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: Clinton-Massie, Goshen, Harrison, Lawrenceburg, Lloyd, McNicholas, Oak Hills, Talawanda
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