A battle of unbeatens face off in this Friday’s Blitz 5 Game of the Week playoff battle. Taft is looking to defend its regional title on the road at Indian Hill. It is a rematch of last fall’s Division IV, Region 16 semifinal, in which Taft got the best of the Braves, 30-14. Indian Hill has aspirations of avenging that loss and bringing home the schools first ever regional championship.
#4 TAFT SENATORS (11-0) at #1 INDIAN HILL BRAVES (11-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., November 14th
At: Tomahawk Stadium
Follow on X: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The electrifying Taft offense is fueled by quarterback Monsanna Torbert. The junior has thrown 27 touchdown passes with no interceptions. He also has two pick-sixes on defense. Ninja Hill (21), Lorenzo McMullen Jr. (14) and Eddie Holloway (12) have combined for 47 of the Senators 67 touchdowns. All 14 of McMullen Jr.’s scores have been on receptions. Holloway has returned five punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.
Cincinnati commit Adam Kitley, highly recruited junior Josiah Pouncy, Bryce Brewster, Chayse Mack and Kingston Morris have been disruptive forces in opposing backfields for Taft. In the secondary Torbert, brother Key’Sean Torbert, Kavontae Whipple and Hill have combined for 10 interceptions.
Quarterback Devlan Daniel is the centerpiece of the Indian Hill offense. The junior has run for 961 yards, ran for 942 yards, averaged 9.6 yards per carry and accounted for 32 touchdowns (19 rush, 13 pass). Giving Daniel help out of the backfield are seniors Evan Riggs, Ashton Graham and sophomore Jacob Alexander. The trio has combined for 1,547 yards, 7.5 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns on the ground.
TEAM TRENDS: Taft has outscored their last eight victims by a mind-blowing 394-7 margin. They are averaging 47.2 points per game and have scored more than 33 points in every contest including 41-plus points in their last five outings. The Senators defense has allowed just 41 points on the year (3.7 points per game) and posted eight shutouts. Perhaps the most impressive and overlooked part of this team, is the 15 return touchdowns that they have produced (six PRs, five IRs, three FRs, one KR).
Indian Hill has been almost equally impressive on both sides of the ball. The Braves defense is holding foes to 5.0 points per game (55 total points allowed on the year) with five shutouts. On offense, Indian Hill is averaging 42.6 points per contest. The run game for Indian Hill is outstanding, averaging 230.7 yards per game, 8.0 yards per carry with 43 trips to the end zone.
HEAD COACHES:
Taft: Tyler Williams (52-12 at Taft, fifth year; 52-13 overall)
Indian Hill: John Rodenberg (32-14 at Indian Hill, fourth year; 220-139 overall, 32nd year)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Taft (13th appearance, 13-12) – 2025, 2024 (Regional Champion), 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010
Indian Hill (18th appearance, 14-17) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996
TAFT’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Senators just need to keep being themselves. They have played almost flawlessly all season long. Pressure has been the name of the game for the Taft defense, expect that to play a major factor in the outcome of this affair as well.
INDIAN HILL’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Braves must limit the Senators big plays. They have to play the game of their lives on special teams covering returns. On offense, sustaining long drives and not turning the ball over is imperative. The fewer times that Indian Hill has to put the ball in the air the better off they will be in the end.
Prediction: Taft 31, Indian Hill 10
