St. Ignatius (Cleveland) at St. Xavier (Cincinnati)![This 2008 photo shows the physicality expected in a St. Xavier vs. St. Ignatius matchup.](https://image.maxpreps.io/editorial/article/0/1/8/018765e2-0e4d-40e7-af23-24af904eb1a8/a0b9bb8e-f418-e211-b4bb-002655e6c126_original.jpg)
This 2008 photo shows the physicality expected in a St. Xavier vs. St. Ignatius matchup.
File photo by Christopher Zaphiris
For two of the best programs in the football-prolific state of Ohio, Saturday's game has two separate – but equally important – potential outcomes at stake.
St. Ignatius enters with an undefeated record and No. 4 ranking in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25. It has hopes for not only its second-consecutive Division I state title – and 12th since 1988 – but possibly a shot to win a fourth national championship. All eight of St. Ignatius' wins are by 24 points or more. However, the Wildcats have had their share of struggles in the past against St. Xavier. They've lost six of eight games in the series since 2004, including the last two in a row.
See the other 24 teams featured in the Xcellent 25 Football Rankings presented by the Army National GuardOn the other hand, St. Xavier is 5-3 following last week's 27-16 loss to unbeaten St. Edward (Lakewood), a game in which the Bombers outgained the Eagles but still fell. It was the third setback for St. X against an unbeaten opponent, yet this week's Region 4 computer rankings show the Bombers on the outside looking in for a playoff berth. A loss Saturday could mean the Bombers miss out on the postseason for the second time since 2008.
Mitch Stephens: St. Xavier 21, St. Ignatius 20
Steve Montoya: St. Xavier 28, St. Ignatius 20
Stephen Spiewak: St. Ignatius 17, St. Xavier 14
Kevin Askeland: St. Ignatius 28, St. Xavier 21
Leland Gordon: St. Ignatius 27, St. Xavier 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Ignatius 23, St. Xavier 13