Elder vs. St. X for All-the-Marbles in Cincinnati...At Least for This Week

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

There's no doubt that St. Xavier is well prepared to play its HUGE crosstown rivalry game against nationally-ranked Elder (#3 USA Today) Friday night. The question is...are the Blue Bombers able to keep-up the energy?

After playing four straight games against defending state champs, and coming off its first loss of the season last week against Highlands (KY), Elder may just be the tonic St. X needs to get the players back-up.

As we pointed out in an August 19th story, St. X has played a Murders Row schedule, which began with knocking-off then nationally-ranked Colerain in the opening week of the season.

As far as Friday night, the Cincinnati Enquirer points out, that the key may be the St. X defense that is holding opponents to just 8.4 points a game.

St. Xavier Prepares For One of the Toughest Schedules in America

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle

No one can ever accuse St. Xavier of having a cupcake schedule. Once again this year, the Bombers will play what is arguably the toughest schedule in the country.

It all gets started August 28th when St. X plays cross-town rival Colerain. After that and on consecutive weekends, the Bombers play defending Indiana 4A champ Indianapolis Cathedral (9/5), 2008 Kentucky 6A semifinalist St. Xavier (9/11), defending Kentucky 6A champ Trinity (9/18), 2008 Kentucky 5A champ Highlands (9/25) and finally Elder, which is ranked #13 in the PrepNation.com pre-season rankings.

Just for good measure, the Bombers will face defending Ohio Division I champ St. Ignatius on October 24.

Now for the good news, quarterback Luke Massa is back for his senior season after a disappointing junior year that ended with a broken collarbone in the middle of last season. As a sophomore Massa led St. X to the Division I title.

So with last year's disappointing 4-6 record behind them, the Cincinnati Enquirer looks at what is ahead as St. X attempts to regain its form and challenge Elder for the Greater Catholic League South title.

Elder Hands St. X Second Straight Loss

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Elder (5-1) High fans are celebrating this weekend, thanks to the Panthers first win over St. Xavier in five years. Elder beat the Bombers 33-15 Friday night before a home crowd of over 10,000.

Elder entered the game ranked #2 in the Cincinnati area while St. X was #3. The loss was the second straight for the formerly nationally ranked Bombers, who played without quarterback Luke Massa, who has a broken collarbone.

Click here for video highlights from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Click here for a game recap.

#25 St. Xavier (OH) Holds Off #4 Don Bosco Prep (NJ) Comeback

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) proved Saturday why despite one loss this season, it belongs in the USA Today Super 25. The Bombers, who lost their season opener to #10 Colerain, won its third straight since its season opening loss, beating #4 Don Bosco Prep 17-10.

St. X ran out to a 17-0 first half lead, and then held-off a second-half comeback by the Ironmen, who were stopped on a fourth-and-goal from the Bomber 20.

To read a game recap from The Cinncinnati Enquirer, click here.

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Colerain Tops #18 St. Xavier in Battle of Cincinnati Powerhouses

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Over 15,000 fans watched the Battle for Cincinnati Friday night at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium...at least round one!

Colerain ran out to a 13-0 lead on defending Division 1 state champ St. Xavier and held on for a 13-8 victory. St. Xavier entered the game ranked #1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer Division 1 Coaches' Poll and 18th in the nation according to USA Today. These two have also combined to win three of the last four Ohio Division 1 football titles.

Don't be surprised to see them play again come playoff time.

Click here to read a game wrap-up from the Enquirer.

St. X Runs the Table To Reign as the Best in Ohio Division I

St. Xavier put on a clinic in the Ohio Division I high school football championship game against Mentor (13-2).

St. X (15-0) star running back Darius Ashley rushed for a title-game record of 271-yards and two touchdowns and the defense pitched a shutout in the 27-0 win. It was only the second shutout in Division I championship history.

The Bombers are currently ranked #5 by USA Today.

To read a game recap, click here.

#5 St. Xavier Tries to Close-Out Great Season With Division 1 Ohio Title

St. Xavier (Cincinnati) hopes to finish off one of the best undefeated seasons in the country Saturday when it plays Mentor for the Division I high school football championship.

So far St. X has run the table against one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Bombers have beaten several top-notch programs such DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD), Trinity (#1 6A team in KY at game time) and backyard rivals Colerain and Elder.

The Bombers have been ranked as high as #2 by USA Today, and enter the game #5 in the latest USA Today Super 25.

Both teams have chips on their shoulders. St. Xavier wasn't able to make it back to the 2006 title game to defend its 2005 championship, while Mentor is back trying to erase the memory of last year's 36-35 double overtime loss to Colerain in the title tilt.

Two players to watch in this one...Mentor quarterback Bart Tanksi, who was recently named Ohio's Mr. Football and St. X running back Darius Ashley, who despite missing several games has rushed for over 1,300 yards.

Click here for a preview of the game.

#5 St. Xavier Ends #9 Colerain's Season

For anyone thinking that Cincinnati's St. Xavier isn't the best team in the nation, just take a look at the list of 2007 victims...nationally-ranked DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD), Louisville Trinity (Kentucky's #1 6A team at game time) plus all of Ohio's best in Cleveland Glenville, Elder and Cleveland St. Ignatius.

Now add one more...Colerain, which entered Friday's regional final ranked #9 in the latest USA Today Super 25.

St. X beat Colerain 29-14 before over 20,000 at the University of Cincinati. The win came 364-days after Colerain knocked the Bombers out of the 2006 state tournament 24-7.

To read a complete game wrap, click here.

#9 Colerain Advances...Next Up #5 St. Xavier

All season long Ohio has been the darling of the USA Today Super 25 high school football poll. Entering this weekend and the 2nd round of the OHSAA high school football playoffs, the Buckeye State had three teams in the Top 10...#5 St. Xavier (Cincinnati), #8 Cardinal Mooney (Youngstown) and #9 Colerain (Cincinnati).

That won't change when Tuesday's poll is release, but it will the following week because Colerain and St. Xavier will collide in the state quarterfinals next week in a rematch of last year's regional final won by Colerain 24-7.

Both teams won Saturday...Colerain with a 27-7 win over Archbishop Moeller; St. Xavier shutout Centerville 31-0 in the Division I playoffs.

Colerain moved to 12-0 behind Joe Harrison, who rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.

To read a complete Colerain/Moeller game recap, click here.

#5 St. Xavier Looks To Close Out Perfect Regular Season

Two quarterbacks at opposite ends of high school careers will probably play a big role in the outcome of tonight's Cincinnati high school football showdown between St. Xavier (9-0)and Moeller (6-2).

St. X, ranked #5 in the USA Today Super 25, will be led by sophomore quarterback Luke Massa, who started his first varsity game last week and led the Bombers to a 17-14 triple overtime win over St. Ignatius. Moeller will try to ride the right arm of senior Ross Oltorik, who last week threw for a career high 384-yards against St. Edward and became the school's all-time leading passer.

Both teams have already clinched Division I playoff berths, but the Greater Catholic League South title is on-the-line. St. Xavier will clinch the championship outright with a win, but a win by Moeller would mean the two would have to share the title.

To read a game preview from the Cincinnati Enquirer, please click here.