Three weeks remain in the 2025 high school football season and there is still a ton to play for all across the area. We are coming down the back nine of the season and several teams are looking for a strong finish in order to solidify their seeding or perhaps make it into the postseason. Whatever the case may be, each team will be putting it all on the line in order to come away with a win and increase their morale and momentum as well head towards week 11. A win puts a team that much closer to where they want to be while a loss can provide a road block that could prove to be detrimental to a team’s chances at a championship. Defining moments and great individual performances will propel teams here in week 8.
Last week there were some big wins taking place all around the area. Middletown bounced back from their first loss with a solid win at home. Fairfield took a major step towards being a playoff lock after taking down Mason. Anderson continued to cruise and Williamsburg knocked off Roger Bacon on the road. This week the high-level and impactful games continue. Highlands crosses the bridge for a date at The Pit will red hot Elder. Harrison looks to slow down a rolling Talawanda team on the road. La Salle and St. Xavier renew their Northbend Road rivalry and Indian Hill makes the short trip to Madeira for a rivalry game in the CHL. There will be some huge crowds ready to root on their squads this week and we can’t wait for the outcome to present itself. Here are the Best Bets for week 8.
#5 Highlands at #1 Elder
The Bluebirds are 6-1 and coming off of a big win over another Kentucky power in Covington Catholic. The Bluebirds have been solid both offensively and defensively this season under head coach Bob Sphire and look to continue their stellar season. Quarterback Rio Litmer has been a standout and leader for Highlands. The senior has been a dual threat option that has given teams headaches with his ability to both run and pass the ball. Litmer is able to keep plays alive and buy time for his guys to get open or take it himself to gash teams. Star athlete Tayden Lorenzen has been impossible to stop so far in the season. The junior has accounted for 14 touchdowns. Lorenzen has rushed for 12 scores and scored another 2 touchdowns as a receiver. He is one of the best all-purpose players in the area that can hurt teams in a variety of ways. Gabe Williams is another tailback with high ability and speed that can make defenders miss and does his work as a receiver as well. Defensively Highlands is led by Ryan Dunn with 38 tackles and Isaac Niemann who has 35.
Elder won the GCL South crown last week by defeating Moeller and look to be poised for a deep run in the playoffs. Kaden Estep has led the team with his ability to run and pass the ball at a high level all season long. Estep ranks second in the league in passing and first in rushing. Tailback Tommy Becker ranks third in the league in rushing and Jackson Ruth brings big play ability to the wide receiver position as he had a huge game last week and leads the conference in receiving yards. Derek Uran is towards the top of the league defensively in tackles (52) and sacks (4.5) to pace the defense. Alex Dugan also has four sacks.
This is a clash of red hot teams with tradition. Bet on Elder to take care of business at home.
Harrison at Talawanda
Harrison is having another solid season and look to be a team that could make some noise in the playoffs in a few weeks. The Wildcats are 5-2 and have a very potent offensive attack. Quarterback Brady Lawhorn leads the SWOC with 1,043 yards passing and 13 touchdowns. Wideouts Josh Addelsperger and Christian Roether each have 241 yards receiving and are big time deep threats. Preston Flick has rushed for 823 yards at the tailback position and Lawhorn is also a threat to run as he has 431 yards on the ground so far this season. David Baldock and Brycen Deller are big time tacklers on the defense. Jack Denier and Ben Markarian each have four interceptions providing a tough secondary.
Talawanda boasts the nation’s leading rusher in tailback Lance Cantrell who has run for 1,711 yards and 23 touchdowns and is well on his way to a 2,000 season. Cantrell is a workhorse as he has carried the ball 147 times this season and averages 244 YPG out of the backfield. Oliver Bennett has been solid at quarterback with 632 yards passing and Camar Ellis is the conferences leading pass catcher with 302 receiving. Windon Lowe leads the Brave on defense with 57 tackles and Colton Beck has 2 sacks.
This one should decide the SWOC champ. Bet on Harrison to get a road victory.
#10 La Salle at #6 St. Xavier
La Salle is looking like a contender in the division II region 8 playoffs and a big reason for that is quarterback Avier Carter. Carter is a big time dual threat option for the Lancers and has shown his ability to help win games on the ground as well as in the air. He ranks fourth in the GCL South in passing yards with 751 and second in rushing yards with 484. He has accounted for 13 touchdowns. David Malone has been solid out of the backfield as a runner as well and Drew Dipzinski has been the team’s top target in the passing game. La Salle boasts two of the top tacklers in the league on defense in Colin Wooldridge who has 67 tackles and Rodney Portis who has 49.
Quarterback Jackson Frey has thrown for 1,188 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season and most frequently connects with Cam Taylor (21 rec, 341yds, 5 TD). Aiden Newdigate and Alex McClatchey have also been threats at wide receiver.The St. Xavier defense has been their strongest asset but they themselves are coming off of an outing that they would like to forget. Kobe Clapper, Aden Reeder, and Brayden Reilly are all high level prospects that make an impact on that side of the ball with their playmaking ability. Daniel Vollmer is a jack of all trades athlete who can make an impact on both sides of the ball.
Rivalries bring great play to field. Bet on the Bombers at home.
#24 Indian Hill at Madeira
Indian Hill controls their own destiny in bringing home a CHL championship this season. They have played great football and have done so behind the play of Devlan Daniel at quarterback. Daniel is a dual threat performer who has passed for 696 yards and rushed for another 538 on the ground. Daniel has a total of 19 touchdowns and has the possibility of passing and rushing for 1,000 yards this season. Evan Riggs has 352 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns on the season as well. Dylan Hartman is the team’s leading receiver. Defensively the Braves have been paced by Riggs and Topher Wachtel.
Madeira is looking to continue their push towards the postseason as well. The Mustangs are attempting to fight through the injury bug as they are down to their fourth string quarterback this season. Tailback Robby Lewis has been a consistent strong runner with 500 yards on the season and Blake Opichka leads the conference in tackles with a smoldering 87.
Indian Hill has been on a mission. Bet on the Braves to continue that this week.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Make sure to check out the COMPLETE PREVIEW for this week’s featured game on the Blitz 5 Tour, Milford at No. 7 Kings
Here are some other games for teams ranked inside the Blitz 5 Top 25:
OHIO
No. 4 Princeton at Oak Hills
No. 15 Middletown at No. 20 Mason
No. 17 Fairfield at Hamilton
Turpin at No. 21 Lebanon
KENTUCKY
No. 11 Ryle at Campbell County
No. 19 Cooper at Scott
St. Henry at No. 23 Beechwood
INDIANA
Greensburg at No. 18 East Central
