In the final week of the regular season, multiple Cincinnati-based programs ended their season with signature wins, while others will look to recover lost momentum as they head into the OHSAA State Playoffs.
NO. 1 ELDER 35, De La SALLE (MI) 7
For the first time since 1991, the Elder Panthers finished their regular season unbeaten, after thoroughly defeating the Michigan-based De La Salle, 35-7 on Friday night. It marked the fourth time that the program has gone 10-0 (1954, 1989. 1991, 2025). The history went even deeper with it being the 400th win for the Panthers in the “The Pit” as well.
Elder’s 2025 regular season has been historic in a multitude of different ways, including for long-time head coach Doug Ramsey, who in 29+ years of heading the program for the Panthers, he had never had an undefeated, 10-0 regular season.
In order to get to 10-0, the Panthers had to get through visiting De La Salle first. All season, Elder’s star senior tailback Tommy Becker has led the way for a potent white and purple offensive attack; and Friday night was no different. Becker had four rushing touchdowns during the contest, all from within ten yards, in addition to 131 yards total on the ground.
Not to be overlooked however, is Elder quarterback Kaden Estep. The senior’s final regular season game under center was another solid performance, as the Panthers passer threw for 132 yards on eight completions.
With the number one seed in region 4, division 1 of the 2025 OHSAA State Playoffs, the Elder Panthers will have an off week to start their postseason run and chase of perfection.
No. 18 MIDDLETOWN 14, NO. 4 PRINCETON 6
In a GMC showdown between the conference leading teams of Princeton and Middletown, it was the Middies who stunned the Vikings and thwarted the latter’s chase of an undefeated conference season.
With both sides dominating on defense, the scoreboard at the end of the contest was going to be decided by which team’s offense found the endzone first. After coming out of the game tied at halftime, it was the Middletown offense that struck to open the game’s scoring.
Senior Jordan Vann was able to find a crease in the Vikings defense and take a rushing play into the endzone break the defensive stalemate. Once the offensive floodgates were open, both teams started to find some momentum moving the ball.
Princeton answered right back with a touchdown of their own, but a key play in the game came from the Middies special teams unit; as they were able to block the ensuing extra point attempt by the Vikings junior kicker Nathaniel Messer.
With the score tight at 7-6 in the fourth quarter, the game went down to who could make the big play first; and once again, the Middletown offense answered the call. On fourth down, two of the Middies’ Reed brothers found each other for a touchdown in what ended up being the game winning score.
Both squads will look to be competitive in the OHSAA State Playoffs, starting next week.
For the first time since 2018, Lakota East tops Lakota West.
Ryder Hooks rushes for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns to help bolster the Thunderhawks’ playoff resume.@WLWT | @LakotaEastFB @LakotaEastAD @ryderhooks @NileKnutson @Jordan_kitna3 pic.twitter.com/Rm90KB1x2J
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) October 25, 2025
No. 7 WINTON WOODS 31, NO. 19 LEBANON 10
After finding themselves down 10-3 early in the second half, the Winton Woods Warriors stormed back to a 31-10 lead over the Lebanon Warriors in their respective season finales on Friday night.
Lebanon senior quarterback Luke Faler came into the game with 21 touchdown passes and only one interception. The Winton Woods defense had other ideas, however, as they forced the Lebanon offense to turn the ball over five different times, including four different interceptions that were thrown by Faler.
Winton Woods’ offense turned the timely turnovers into points, and went on a 28-0 run in the second half to blow the game wide open. Senior quarterback Bryshawn Brown had three rushing touchdowns himself, while Isaiah Garrett had an eight-yard touchdown rush of his own.
Despite finishing second in the ECC, Winton Woods will look to use this impressive defensive performance to fuel another deep playoff run, while Lebanon will look to rebound offensively.
In a war of warriors, Winton Woods turns it on in the second to take down Lebanon 31-10.@WLWT | @Winton_WoodsFB @D1_Bryshawn @IsaiahG28237979 pic.twitter.com/xfMvPG1p7D
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) October 25, 2025
Here are some other scores from key Cincinnati games this week:
No. 2 Moeller 56, Muskegon (MI) 13
No. 3 Anderson 42, Loveland 7
No. 6 Kings 42, Walnut Hills 14
No. 8 Taft 47, Woodward 0
No. 10 La Salle 54, Mount Healthy 7
No. 15 Lakota East 42, No. 11 Lakota West 28 (FULL RECAP)
McNicholas 17, No. 14 Badin 10
No. 20 Mason 48, Sycamore 6
No. 21 Withrow 48, Western Hills 0
No. 22 Fairfield 17, Oak Hills 0
No. 24 Indian Hill 37, Reading 0
No. 25 CHCA 36, Summit Country Day 7
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.
