Just when several fans and pundits were ready to appoint Archbishop Moeller as the No. 1 seed in the postseason and league champion, the Cincinnati St. Xavier football team had other plans on Halloween Night Saturday in the Queen City.
Luke Massa, St. Xavier
File photo by Wayne Litmer
St. Xavier defeated rival Moeller 13-10 in front of a large crowd at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium.
The Bombers (8-2) won their first outright Greater Catholic League South division title since 2007. It was the fifth league title in six years for St. X, which plays host to Centerville (8-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Division I playoffs.
"Our seniors had a focus all season," St. X coach Steve Specht told the Cincinnati Enquirer on Saturday night.
St. X senior quarterback Luke Massa was 12-of-19 passing for 102 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Bombers on Saturday. Sophomore running back Conor Hundley had 23 carries for 98 yards. Moeller (9-1), the No. 2 seed in Region 4, plays host to Middletown (9-1) on Saturday night. Moeller junior receiver Max Richey had four receptions for 69 yards for the Crusaders on Saturday.
"We have to just put the St. X game loss behind us and go on to the next game," Moeller coach John Rodenberg told the Community Press this past weekend.
The postseason picture was officially announced on Sunday by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Turpin (Division I), Goshen (Division III) and Clinton-Massie (Division IV) were among other top seeds in the Cincinnati area.
Cincinnati Colerain, which won the Division I state title in 2004, is among the most notable absences this season. The Cardinals missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Colerain (8-2) opened the season with losses to St. Xavier and Elder in consecutive weeks. Dublin Coffman (Division I) and Columbus St. Francis De Sales (Division III) are among top seeds in the Columbus area.
2. Payne commits to Michigan State: Dayton Jefferson senior center Adreian Payne orally committed to Michigan State on Thursday afternoon. Payne also considered Michigan State, Arizona and West Virginia, according to the Dayton Daily News. Payne will sign a national letter of intent on Nov. 11. Payne, one of the nation’s top basketball recruits, averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks as a junior.
3. Black changes his mind: Cincinnati Wyoming senior defensive lineman Jibreel Black orally committed to the University of Cincinnati after he had committed to Indiana University on June 29. Black, who is 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, is the defensive leader for the Cowboys, a Division III power in Cincinnati. "He is the best defensive lineman I have coached in 36 years," Wyoming coach Bernie Barre said. Black had about 20 other scholarship offers this past summer.
4. Perfect season for Shamrocks: Dublin Coffman defeated Upper Arlington 21-12 Friday night and completed an undefeated regular season with a 10-0 record. Colton Caldwell led the Shamrocks with two passing touchdowns and ran for another. Coffman plays Springfield (6-4) in the first round of the Division I playoffs this week.
5. Cincinnati Ursuline's girls volleyball team: The Lions advanced to the regional tournament after a 25-6, 25-13, 25-11 win over Piqua in a Division I district final at Springboro. Senior outside hitter Jade Henderson had 15 kills and six blocks. Senior setter Dani Reinert had 25 assists and eight digs. Ursuline (25-0), the Division I state runner-up last season, plays Vandalia Butler on Wednesday night in Vandalia.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Caleb Eastham, Mason: The senior forward scored three goals to lead the Comets past Walnut Hills 7-0 in a Division I boys soccer sectional final. Eastham had 18 goals and four assists after that game – second in the Greater Miami Conference in scoring.
Winston Wilks, Shroder: The senior running back had 19 carries for 180 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-0 win over Woodward in a Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference game.
Mark Miller, Cincinnati Elder: The senior quarterback threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-0 win over visiting Western Hills. The quarterback set the Elder record for most career touchdown passes with 46.
Looking ahead
Centerville vs. St. Ursula girls soccer, Wednesday: St. Ursula, the reigning Division I state champion, plays the Elks in a Division I regional semifinal at Princeton High School. St. Ursula is led by senior Elizabeth Burchenal (a North Carolina commit), who had three goals in a Division I district final win over Lebanon. She has more than 100 in her career. Centerville senior Allison Ludwig has 17 goals and 11 assists.
Turpin vs. Huber Heights Wayne girls soccer Wednesday: Turpin advanced to the Division I regional round for the first time since 2004. Both teams play a Division I regional semifinal game at Princeton High School. The Spartans won overtime games against Ursuline and Anderson last week. Wayne defeated Milford 5-4 in the district final.
State cross country meet, Saturday morning: The annual boys and girls cross country meet starts at 11 a.m. at Scioto Downs near Columbus. Mason junior Zach Wills – the reigning Division I state champion – is a favorite from the Cincinnati area.
Other recruiting news
Cincinnati La Salle senior defensive lineman Keenan Gibbs (6-4, 246) has orally committed to Toledo. Gibbs also had an offer from Bowling Green. … Hamilton junior receivers Brian Cleckley (6-1, 179) and Kenny Lewis (5-11, 165) have been offered scholarships by Miami of Ohio. The Mid-American Conference program is likely one of several offers both players will receive within the next year. … Middletown senior defensive end Rashad Frazier (6-6, 225) has been offered by Bowling Green. It is his first offer.
Random thoughts
Ironton coach Bob Lutz recently passed Hamilton Badin’s Terry Malone as the winningest football coach ever in Ohio. Malone retired in 2003 with a record of 360-117-8. Lutz, who is in his 37th year with Ironton, is 361-84-5. …Turpin girls soccer player Natalie Starr scored game-winning goals in overtime in two games last week for the Spartans. Turpin has advanced to the regional for the first time since 2004. ... Columbus Brookhaven senior strong safety Ryland Ward (5-11, 190) added an offer from Buffalo, according to ScoutingOhio.com. He also has several other Mid-American Conference offers.
