Skyline Chili Crosstown roundup: St. Xavier romps past Ben Davis

St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) was impressive in its season opener Friday night as the host Bombers defeated Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) 34-7 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.

The game was listed among the top 10 games in the nation to watch by MaxPreps this week and the Bombers' defense was very impressive in the first meeting between the two programs.

"One thing that jumped out, our front defensively played really well," St. X coach Steve Specht told Cincinnati.com. "They put pressure on the quarterback and took care of the run game."

St. X (1-0) will turn its planning to the next game at Colerain (1-0) Sept. 6. Colerain (Cincinnati) defeated Park Vista (Lake Worth, Fla.) 45-27 Friday night at the University of Cincinnati. Colerain and St. X renewed a home-and-home deal for this season and 2014 back in January. St. X leads the all-time series 18-9.

St. X is No. 20 in the MaxPreps Composite Rankings this week. The Bombers are No. 14 nationally among non-public school programs.

St. X senior quarterback Nicholas Tensing was 13 of 19 for 130 yards and a touchdown Friday night. Tensing threw for 2,042 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

"Nick is doing great," St. X coach Steve Specht said before the game. "I'm expecting big things from him."

Junior Ben Glines had two touchdown receptions and rushed for another score for the Bombers, according to Cincinnati.com. Senior running back C.J. Hilliard (Iowa commit) had 75 yards rushing and a touchdown.

"They have eight Division-I caliber kids, we have one," Ben Davis coach Mike Kirschner told Cincinnati.com. "That's the bottom line. We have to play better against that caliber of team."

Moeller wins thriller: Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) defeated Pike (Indianapolis, Ind.) 37-33 in the closing seconds Friday night at Nippert Stadium. Senior quarterback Gus Ragland connected with junior wide receiver Chase Pankey on a 43-yard pass play with 11 seconds left to lift the Crusaders (1-0). Ragland threw for 132 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Moeller is the reigning Division I state champion in Ohio. Pike is ranked fifth in the Associated Press Indiana 6A state poll. Taylor Sanders rushed for 134 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns for Pike (1-1).

Elder defeats Middletown: Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) never trailed Thursday night at Nippert Stadium and the Panthers defeated Middletown 20-14 at the University of Cincinnati. Senior running back Chris Schroer rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Nick Peters had 125 yards yard passing. Junior linebacker Kyle Orloff had a team-high 11 tackles for Elder (1-0). Allante Simmons had 101 yards rushing for the Middies (0-1). E.j. Colson had a team-high 13 tackles and a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter.

La Salle impressive in coach's debut: La Salle (Cincinnati) defeated Oak Hills 42-14 on Wednesday at the University of Cincinnati. Sophomore quarterback Nick Watson threw for 226 yards and five touchdowns for the Lancers after being named the starter in a game-time decision by new coach Nate Moore. Senior wide receiver Derek Kief (Alabama commit) caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone in the second half to help lift the Lancers (1-0) over Oak Hills (0-1). Moore was named the new La Salle coach this season after taking over for longtime coach Tom Grippa, who is now an assistant at the College of Mount St. Joseph.

Bluebirds victorious in Showdown debut: Highlands defeated University Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) 47-17 Aug. 24 in the Bluebirds' debut of the 16th annual Crosstown Showdown. The game was televised live on ESPNU. Highlands senior quarterback Drew Houliston was 21 of 30 passing for 373 yards and four touchdowns, according to NKY.com. "He was phenomenal," veteran Highlands coach Dale Mueller told NKY.com. "He's one of the most fun guys I've ever coached." Highlands had 518 yards of total offense. Senior running back Zach Harris had 14 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns for the Bluebirds.

Lakota West vs. Winton Woods: The Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown concludes at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fairfield in this non-conference matchup. Winton Woods (Cincinnati, Ohio) (9-2 in 2012) is ranked No. 1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer Division II area coaches' poll. The Warriors return several starters from 2012 – a season in which it lost to Trotwood-Madison in a regional semifinal. Senior defensive lineman Daniel Cage has more than 40 scholarship offers. Senior safety Mike Edwards is verbally committed to Kentucky. Senior quarterback Shemar Hooks is also a leader of the team and has Mid-American Conference offers. Defensive backs Demetrius Suesberry and Jerrell Foster and lineman George Brown also have multiple scholarship offers. "They are very hungry," Winton Woods coach Andre Parker said this summer. "They are hungry to be great." Lakota West (West Chester) (8-2 in 2012) is also an experienced team including quarterback Malik Grove, who accounted 22 total touchdowns last season. He threw for 1,163 yards and rushed for 555 yards. Senior running back Mikel Horton is verbally committed to Kentucky after he rushed for 1,000 yards last season. Senior wide receiver Tyler Jones has multiple MAC offers. Lakota West coach Larry Cox, who is in his 19th season as a head coach, knows the challenges are present Saturday night. "Winton Woods is an outstanding program," Cox told Cincinnati.com. "Coach Parker does a great job with them. They have more Division I talent this year than probably anyone in the city. They are aggressive and fast."