NationalHSFootball.com
In typical Greater Catholic League-South fashion the debate for which team is the best is a moving target.
With one game remaining — Elder (Cincinnati, OH) versus La Salle (Cincinnati, OH) on Halloween — there is a very real chance that three of the four teams could end up 2-1 within the conference.
St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) downed La Salle this weekend while Moeller (Cincinnati, OH) bettered Elder to ensure that they would both be sitting atop the standings when the season ended.
St. X moved to 11-2 against La Salle in the last decade. Moeller improved to 9-3 versus Elder in that same time span.
It appeared that both of those losing teams were on the cusp of taking a step forward but each has faltered after impressive victories.
La Salle was coming off of 34-9 conquest of Moeller that had many in the state talking about the Lancers being the best team in the state. It moved the program to No. 56 in the HSFB100 entering the week — ahead of St. X which was No. 88.
Elder had made a statement with a 21-14 victory over St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) but has since faltered against St. Xavier and Moeller in consecutive weeks. The Panthers stock has dropped as it went from No. 66 to No. 85 and No. 89 entering play this week. It may drop from the HSFB100 after this latest setback, its third of the year.
St. Xavier coach Steve Specht told reporters after the victory that tight battles are par for the course.
“It’s a GCL South match-up,” he said. “We’ve been in three unbelievable games and came out ahead.”
The Bombers were the first team to truly contain La Salle standout Jeremy Larkin forcing the team to rely on sophomore Jarell White — who did well in rushing for 167 yards and three scores.
St. X had jumped out to an early 14-0 lead prior to halftime but needed a drive in the final minutes of the game to secure the win as La Salle came back to tie the game at 21 with 4:01 remaining in the game.
Bomber quarterback Matt Wittlock — the fourth player to play the position for St. Xavier this season — completed key passes to Andrew Homer and Noah Davis to move the ball inside the La Salle redzone before Myles Homan kicked a 19-yard field goal for the win as the clock expired.
Moeller used a second half momentum swing to turn the game from a 7-6 halftime deficit to a quick 19-7 lead before holding on for a 26-17 victory.
Elder fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and Moeller scored on the next play to take its first lead of the game.
The ensuring drive was a quick three-and-out for Elder and on the third play for Moeller the team hit paydirt with a 54-yard run for Sterling Noes.
Elder scored the next two possessions as Panther quarterback and coaches son Jacob Ramsey commenected with Ross Hambleton for a 44-yard score. An 11-play, 70-yard drive resulted in a field goal for Elder on its next possession and the game was 19-17 entering the fourth quarter.
It was another special teams play that sparked the game-winning score.
Moeller receiver Kyle Butz returned an Elder punt 32 yards to the Elder 13 in the middle of the fourth quarter. Two plays later it was Noes going in for another score and the final 26-17 margin of victory.
The results makes the ranking of the four teams difficult.
St. Xavier figures to move to the front of the group with La Salle closely behind it.
The Bomber will take on HSFB100-ranked Warren Central (Indianapolis, IN) while La Salle looks to get right versus a 2-5 St. Charles (Columbus, OH) team.
Moeller will be ranked third with Elder at the back end of the GCL teams.
Moeller hosts nationally relevant St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) on Saturday and Elder will play nationally relevant Winton Wood (Cincinnati, OH) at home on Friday.
The placements of each inside the HSFB100 are still up in the air.
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