When the season started no one would have predicted that St. Xavier would be facing Middletown in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week with the winner going to the Division I state championship game. Middletown is the new kid on the block having just won the schools first regional crown and now in uncharted waters. The Bombers are the establishment, with four state titles in the last 20 years. Can the new kids on the block knock off the old guard and start a new era of football in Southwest Ohio?
ST.XAVIER BOMBERS (10-2) vs. MIDDLETOWN MIDDIES (11-2)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., November 28th
At: Welcome Stadium, University of Dayton
Follow on X: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: St. Xavier quarterback Jackson Frey has thrown for at least 220 yards four times in his last five starts. The senior also has 12 of his 23 touchdown passes in that span. Senior Dan Vollmer has run for 227 yards in three playoff games. He had 153 yards on the ground during the regular season. Brayden Reilly, a Clemson commit, has 10 career interceptions.
Middletown defensive lineman JD Singletary, a Rice commit, has been outstanding with 15.0 sacks, 23.5 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles and two takeaways (one FR, one INT) on the year. Classmate CJ Bryant leads the Middies with 113 tackles and also has 17.0 tackles for losses and three interceptions including a pick-six. Jordan Vann is a dynamic playmaker. He has five rushing touchdowns on 24 carries, one kickoff return and two punt returns for scores.
TEAM TRENDS: St. Xavier has scored 41-plus points three times in their last four games. The Bombers had not posted more than 28 points in the first eight games of the season.
Middletown is allowing just 8.1 points per game. They have held nine foes to nine points or less with four shutouts. The Middies defense and special teams have combined for six touchdowns (three IRs, two PRs, one KR) and 996 yards of returns.
HEAD COACHES:
St. Xavier: Steve Specht (196-79 at St. Xavier, 22nd year; 196-79 overall)
Middletown: Kali Jones (16-8 at Middletown, second year; 55-43 overall, ninth year)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
St. Xavier (32nd appearance, 62-27 overall) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 (State Champion), 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (State Champion), 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 (Regional Champions), 2010, 2009, 2007 (State Champion), 2006, 2005 (State Champion), 2004, 2002, 2001 (State Runner-up), 2000, 1999, 1998 (State Runner-up), 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992 (State Runner-up), 1987, 1981.
Middletown (11th appearance, 8-10) – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2011, 2010, 2009, 1990, 1989, 1987
XAVIER’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Bombers have done a much better job of establishing the run in the playoffs. This has opened up the offense and allowed more players to get involved. That trend needs to keep going. The St. Xavier defense and special teams have been coming up with big, game changing plays in the postseason that needs to continue against a stingy Middies squad that doesn’t give opponents many opportunities to score.
MIDDLETOWN’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Middies must not be in awe of the moment. Staying focused on what they do best, playing defense should be priority number one. Shortening the game with long drives on offense is imperative. The last thing Middletown wants to do is get into a scoring shootout with St. Xavier.
Prediction: St. Xavier 21, Middletown 7
