Halloween Night will carry extra significance for high school football in Cincinnati as the regular season comes to a close on Saturday night. 
Nicholas Barnett, St. Xavier
File photo by Jim Owens
Archbishop Moeller (9-0, 2-0) plays Cincinnati St. Xavier (7-2, 2-0) at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium starting at 7:30 p.m. for the Greater Catholic League South division title and plenty of momentum going into the postseason next week.
"It will be one heck of a game," Moeller coach John Rodenberg told the Community Press. "A city championship will be on the line."
Moeller, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Division I state poll, is coming off a 40-10 win over host Lakewood St. Edward in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon. Moeller senior quarterback Andrew Hendrix (a Notre Dame commit) threw for a season-high 251 yards and two touchdowns for the Crusaders.
Senior running back Jeff Aubin rushed 13 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. He has 641 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. The Moeller defense continues to shine, allowing just 16 points per game. Senior linebacker Marcus Rush (a Michigan State commit) had two sacks Saturday – he leads the GCL with 10.
St. X is coming off a 30-21 loss to reigning Division I state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius in northeast Ohio. The Bombers had 324 yards of offense, including 208 in the air, but St. X had four turnovers on Saturday.
St. X, which is ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Division I state poll as of Sunday, is led offensively by senior quarterback Luke Massa, who has thrown for 1,290 yards. Sophomore running back Conor Hundley has rushed for 815 yards. Senior defensive lineman Nigel Muhammad (five sacks) and senior defensive back Nick Weston (three interceptions) are among the Bombers' standouts.
"Their loss (Saturday) won't at all affect our preparation for (this) week," Rodenberg told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We know they're going to come and bring their best game so we have to do the same. It's going to be a fantastic game on Halloween night for the GCL."
Moeller won the regular-season finale 17-14 in 2008, but St. X defeated Moeller three consecutive years from 2005-07. St. X last won the GCL South title in 2007, while Moeller shared it with Elder and St. X in the 1999 season. Moeller won the league title outright in 1996.
2. Dublin Coffman remains undefeated: Quarterback Colton Caldwell threw four touchdown passes and the Shamrocks defeated Worthington Kilbourne 35-0 on Friday night. The Shamrocks (9-0), ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Division I state poll, got the win on Senior Night. The Dublin Coffman defense held Worthington Kilbourne to no first downs in the first half. Dublin Coffman plays at Upper Arlington at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
3. Colerain keeps playoff hopes alive: Cincinnati Colerain defeated Middletown 10-7 in a Greater Miami Conference showdown Friday night. The Cardinals (7-2) extended their home winning streak to 53 consecutive games. Junior linebacker Jarrett Grace had two interceptions to lead the Cardinals defense. Colerain has not lost at home during the regular season since Week 10 of the 1999 season. Middletown had defeated Colerain 42-39 last season, which ended the Cardinals' 61-game GMC winning streak.
4. Burke commits to Penn State: Columbus Northland junior 6-foot-1 point guard Trey Burke orally committed to Penn State last week. Burke helped lead Northland to a Division I state title last winter. Burke scored eight points and had four assists in the state championship game at Ohio State's Value City Arena. Northland should be considered another state favorite again, especially with seniors Jared Sullinger and J.D. Weatherspoon (Ohio State commits).
5. Molock commits to Purdue: Dublin Coffman sophomore 6-foot-1 point guard Kyle Molock has orally committed to play basketball at Purdue, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Molock reportedly attended the Purdue-Ohio State football game on Oct. 17 and committed that day. The Dispatch reported Molock had up to 12 other scholarship offers. "I love the Purdue campus and West Lafayette," Molock told the Indianapolis Star. "I like that it's more secluded than some metropolitan campuses that I've visited."
Among the outstanding efforts this week
West Chester Lakota West junior golfer Korey Ward won the Division I state boys golf tournament for the second consecutive year last weekend in Columbus. Ward had a 35.7 scoring average this season. He has received college interest from schools that include Ohio State, Kent State and Xavier.
Cincinnati Turpin junior quarterback Eric Martin had 217 all-purpose yards as the Spartans (9-0) defeated visiting Amelia 38-7. Martin scored on a 39-yard touchdown run in the game. Turpin has an opportunity for its first undefeated regular season since 2007 when it plays at Wilmington (7-2) on Friday night.
Trenton Edgewood senior running back Justin Elder had five carries for 269 yards and three touchdowns as the Cougars defeated visiting Norwood 49-7. Elder had touchdown runs of 95, 90 and 59 yards on Friday night.
Looking ahead
Cincinnati St. Ursula vs. Cincinnati Oak Hills, girls soccer, 5:30 p.m. Monday: Two of the top teams in the Queen City this year. St. Ursula is the reigning Division I state champion. St. Ursula senior Liz Burchenal recently became the school's all-time leading goals leader. Burchenal, a North Carolina commit, has 99 career goals. Oak Hills is led offensively by Taylor Feist (10 goals) and Niki Handlon (seven goals).
West Chester Lakota West at Liberty Township Lakota East, football, 7:30 p.m. Friday: This is always a rivalry game in Butler County in Southwest Ohio. Lakota West (8-1, 6-0 Greater Miami Conference) has an opportunity to go undefeated in the regular season for the first time. The Firebirds are a heavy favorite. Lakota East (3-6, 3-3) has two consecutive games going into this week.
Dublin Coffman vs. Teays Valley, girls volleyball, 6 p.m. Tuesday: Dublin Coffman, rated No. 6 nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, plays in a district semifinal match at Licking Heights High School. The winner plays in the district final at 11 a.m. Saturday at Licking Heights.
Recruiting news
Winton Woods senior forward Allen Payne is getting closer to making a college choice. The basketball standout has shown interest in schools that include Auburn and Virginia Commonwealth, among others. … West Chester Lakota West senior linebacker Jordan Hicks could take an official visit to USC on Nov. 28. … Coldwater senior quarterback Keith Wenning (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) has orally committed to play at Ball State, according to ScoutingOhio.com.
Random thoughts
Archbishop Moeller has signed a one-year contract to play a Week 10 football game at Youngstown Cardinal Mooney next season. Moeller has signed a two-year contract with Louisville Trinity for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The 2011 game will be in Louisville. … Finneytown junior lineman Donavon Clark (6-4, 290) has been invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl National Combine from Jan. 7-9 in San Antonio. … Girls basketball practice starts Friday across the state.
