Best Bets: Week 12

Playoff football is in full swing and as we move deeper into the postseason, the stakes get higher and higher and the intensity only rises. In Ohio the top seeds will be getting their feet wet for the first time when a loss would mean the end of their season. Teams that played an advanced a week ago already have that sense of urgency deep inside of them and now have the experience of playing a game with everything on the line. In Indiana teams are a bit further along in their playoff journey but that same sentiments still ring true. This dichotomy is partly what makes the postseason so special. It is win or go home no matter if you were the best team or the worst team to get into the playoffs.

A week ago in the first round we saw teams take advantage of their opportunity. Standing out were the St. Xavier Bombers who as a fifth seed, dominated their first round opponent at home. The Bombers, known for their postseason runs didn’t surprise by winning but their approach showed that they can possibly be a team that makes another deep run as they did a year ago. The Talawanda Brave also showed a toughness and resilience in their first round overtime win. Although the higher seed, many believed the Brave would not make it past the first round but Andy Stuckert’s bunch silenced the critics and live to play again this week in the second round.

This week there are more high level matchups that are sure to provide quality entertainment for viewers. Middletown travels to top ranked Princeton in a GMC re-match. Beavercreek will head west to Wayne looking to slow the Warriors down. In Indiana, Lawrenceburg heads to Batesville and across the bridge in Kentucky, Ludlow visits Newport. A lot can and will happen this week and we cant wait to see it all. Here are the Best Bets: Week 12.

DIVISION 1, REGION 4

#9 Middletown at #1 Princeton

Middletown dispatched Lebanon last week in the first round for the second straight season. The Middies did their work on defense by holding Lebanon star running back Logan Schmenk to a mere 31 yards. The ECC’s leading rusher was unable to find any room all night long. Middletown stopped the run and had their own rushing attack humming to the tune of 194 yards on the night with two touchdowns to boot. The Middies scored 31 points and are playing with a ton of confidence as they have won three of their last four outings. The task grows immensely against a Princeton team who has not lost a game and dominated in eight of the ten including a commanding win over the Middies back in August.

Princeton has only played two close games this season and were able to come out on top in those as well as they boast a 10-0 record and the top seed in the region. The GMC champs have a ton of talent at every position and can hurt teams in multiple ways. The Vikings have ran the ball exceptionally well this season and passed the ball with great efficiency with the major weapons they have on the outside. Outside of an explosive offense, the Vikings defense has been equally as good if not better at times this season. They only give up 11.7 PPG and have held six of their opponents to seven points or less this season.

Middletown has some athletes to keep pace but Bet on Princeton to win this race.

DIVISION 1, REGION 2

#12 Beavercreek at #4 Wayne

Beavercreek lost their final four games of the regular season and somehow managed to squeak into the playoffs with a 4-6 record as the final seed. The Beavers made the most of their appearance with a 24-21 upset over Hilliard Bradley on the road in the first round. Beavercreek has not scored at a high clip this season but did get a big rushing effort from their offense last week up north. They’ll be looking to avenge a close loss to Wayne in the regular season as they fell 21-17 on the road just three weeks ago. Running back Kellen Reaves leads a big time rushing attack with several other players able to hurt you on the ground as well.

Wayne has won six of their last seven games and seem to have gained their footing after the return of wideout Jamier Brown. The Ohio State commit missed the first two games of the season but in his eight games has caught for 931 yards and 14 touchdowns. The speedster has been nearly impossible to slow down and torched Beavercreek in their first meeting for 168 yards and three touchdowns a few weeks ago.

Can Beavercreek control the game with their rushing attack or will Wayne get its star athlete in space all night? Bet on Wayne to win this one.

INDIANA

Lawrenceburg at Batesville

Lawrenceburg QB Crue Gilmour (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/X: @InMotionBySandy)

The Tigers took care of Batesville 35-20 in the regular season and the two meet again on Friday night with much higher stakes on the line. Brogan Wynn rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns in the win and the Tigers would love to have their run game at its top level in this rematch. Crue Gilmour was efficient at quarterback going 6/11 and passing for two toucdowns as well. Both touchdown tosses went to Mason Manford. The Bulldogs got a strong game from quarterback Calvin Padgett who threw for 144 yards and a touchdown and running back Zadiin Small had 104 yards on the ground in a losing effort.

This time around could play out similarly, Bet on Lawrenceburg to advance.

KENTUCKY

Ludlow at Newport

A rivalry that goes back a very long time will be renewed once again and this time in the postseason. Ludlow took care of Newport 21-12 in the first game of the season and now they will meet again in the last game of the season for one of these two teams. The 6-4 Panthers have had their ups and downs this season with some losing streaks and some winning streaks. Newport has virtually had the same tupe of season as they sit at 5-5. This should be another close game in the series. In their first meeting this season, Newport dominated the time of possession by having the ball a shade over 32 minutes but were unable to capitalize with points all the time. Ludlow has the ball only 15 minutes but were able to make plays when they counted to put points on the board.

A definite toss up, Bet on Ludlow to get it done again.