Only two weeks remain in the 2025 high school football regular season and there is still a great deal to be determined as we come down the home stretch. Many teams are fighting for a playoff berth and a win this week could punch their tickets to the postseason. Others assured of the playoffs jockey for seeding in these final two weeks and we can’t wait to see what the urgency brings to the table on Friday night. Great performances and great games are on the horizon and we know it.
A week ago Elder, Harrison, St. Xavier, and Indian hill all took care of business as they continue to gear up for a postseason run. This week some of our more dominant teams look to continue their strong seasons as Badin hosts Alter in a big game in Hamilton. Anderson travels to Winton Woods looking to inch closer to an ECC title. North College Hill visits Cincinnati Country Day and Taft takes their weekly show to Aiken for a battle in the CMAC.
Can anyone slow down Anderson or Taft? Can Badin head back to state this season? We will find it all out and more. Here are the Best Bets for week 9.
Alter at #14 Badin
The GCL Co-ED title is on the line on New London road in Hamilton on Friday night. Alter is looking to get a huge win to boost their playoff seeding and if they win, they’ll do so behind the play of running backs Drew Crips (597 yds, 9 TD) and Noah Jones (376 yds, 2 TD). The running back duo have been tough on opposing defenses all season. Quarterback Rod Owens is also in the act with 310 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Defensively the Knights boast three of the top five tacklers in the league in Wyatt Reidschneider (60), Jake Botti (56), and Nolan Ogburn (53).
Badin looks the part of a team that can make another run to state in 2025. The Rams have a potent offense as they have the league leader in passing, rushing, and receiving. Colt Emerson has thrown for 902 yards and 11 touchdowns with zero interceptions. Tailback Lem Grayson has been a catalyst with 852 yards and 19 touchdowns. James Brink is the main target in the passing game as he has amassed 472 yards and 7 scores. Sophomore Chase Even (445 yds, 8 TD) is another threat out of the backfield. Trent Owens leads the defense with 53 stops.
This rivalry is always a good physical game. Bet on Badin to continue rolling strong.
#3 Anderson at #7 Winton Woods
Anderson has been dominant on both sides of the ball and are a win away from clinching at least a share of the ECC title. Defensively the Raptors only allow 11.3 ppg and have leaned on linebackers Brady Kuhn (71 TKLS, 5.5 sacks) and Reid Baker (39 TKLS) among a host of other talented players. Offensively Owens Scalf has spread the wealth amongst his many playmakers out of the backfield and on the perimeter to help Anderson average 51 ppg on the season. Jordan Davis and Tysin Weaver being the main culprits to watch for a big play out of.
Winton Woods has been led by a stout defense and strong passing game this season. The Warriors only give up a shade over 8 ppg on the season and have made life difficult for most opposing offenses this season. Jayvion McKinney-Cooper leads the league with 6.5 sacks and has 31 tackles. Quarterback Bryshawn Brown has thrown for 1,621 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 342 yards. Jon’ir Travis leads the league in receiving yards with 744 and 7 touchdowns.
These are two of the powers in the ECC. Bet on Anderson to get the road win.
North College Hill at Cincinnati Country Day
A league title is on the line. NCH has a potent offense with a ton of firepower. Ar’Neil Khar has been great at quarterback ranking third in the league with 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns. Running back Cornelius Spiller has rushed for over 1,000 yards so far on the season and Jai’Veon Allen is a deep threat at wide receiver as he has 597 yards receiving. Defensively the Trojans have a great duo as Kevonte Whitiker has 12 sacks and Anthony Branch has 10.5 as they cause havoc for opposing offenses.
The Nighthawks have been led by star quarterback Levi Guttman who ranks second in the league in passing. Guttman has thrown for 1,359 yards and 19 touchdowns with zero interceptions on the season. In the running game Guttman is also a force as he ranks fourth in the conference in rushing with 667 yards and another 8 touchdowns under his belt. He has consistently found wideout Thomas Huckleby for big plays in the passing game. Huckleby has 32 receptions for 690 yards on the season and can also factor into the run game. Defensively the Nighthawks are limiting opponents to just 13 PPG. Will Robinson leads the team in tackles with 67.
CCD is playing well and have the home field advantage. Bet on the Nighthawks for a home win.
#8 Taft at Aiken
Taft has outscored their last six opponents by a combined score of 314-7, averaging a staggering 52.3 PPG. Monsanna Torbert (1,538 yds, 24 TD, 0 INT) has been a general at quarterback and the Senators have speed all over the field. Nijia Hill and Lorenzo McMullen have been outstanding as big-play wide receivers all season. Adam Kirtley (88 TKL) and JoJo Pouncey (87 TKL) are tackling machines.
Aiken’s Andre Underwood has been impressive himself at the quarterback position ranking second in the CMAC in passing yards with 1,226 yards and 14 touchdowns. His primary target is Romello Mitchell who has caught 7 touchdowns and has 540 yards receiving. Tyrone Bush-Freeman leads the Falcons in tackles with 61.
Taft has been very dominant and that should continue. Bet on the Senators to pick up a road win.
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 Princeton at No. 22 Fairfield
Here are some other games for teams ranked inside the Blitz 5 Top 25:
OHIO
No. 6 Kings at Turpin
Oak Hills at No. 11 Lakota West
Hamilton at No. 15 Middletown
KENTUCKY
No. 18 Cooper at Scott
INDIANA
No. 17 East Central at Roncalli
