La Salle's magical season continues

It has been quite a season for the La Salle (Cincinnati) Lancers. While La Salle started the month of October by winning its sixth consecutive game, it was a win over St. Xavier Friday night which propelled the Lancers to even greater heights.

La Salle defeated visiting St. Xavier 27-24 on Friday night as the Lancers continued their best start in school history, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"You win with good players," La Salle coach Tom Grippa told the publication. "We have good players and we're a pretty good team."

The La Salle offense – which led the GCL South in yards coming into Friday's game – again showed why it is so potent. Senior quarterback Andrew Kummer threw to senior wide receiver Rodriguez Coleman for six receptions and 160 yards and a touchdown, according to the Enquirer.

Kummer, who verbally committed to Miami University this summer, and Coleman, who just committed to the University of Cincinnati, lived up to their billing as Division I recruits in a big-time atmosphere.

"He was just awesome," Kummer told the Enquirer, referring to Coleman. Kummer was 16 of 24 passing for 273 yards and two touchdowns

La Salle's win sets up a showdown with visiting Archbishop Moeller. Both teams are in contention for a much-coveted GCL-South title. Moeller hasn't had a share of the league title since 1999. La Salle hasn't had a share since 1995.

2. Colerain survives scare: Colerain (Cincinnati) extended its home winning streak to 56 consecutive games with a 17-14 triumph over visiting Hamilton on Friday night. Hamilton outgained the Cardinals in total yards (261-256) and led 14-3 at halftime. However, the Cardinals (7-0), ranked No. 6 by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard, closed the gap in the second half when senior quarterback Tyler Williams scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 14-10. Williams became Colerain's all-time leading rusher Friday night as he passed Ronnie Alexander (3,100 yards from 1993-95). Williams now has 3,138 yards. Senior fullback Trayion Durham scored on a 2-yard run with 8:37 left in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals the 17-14 advantage. Williams finished with 32 carries for 158 yards. Hamilton (4-3) was led by senior running back Devin Jarrett with 21 carries for 111 yards.

3. Moeller continues to win in GCL: Junior wide receiver Monty Madaris had more than 240 all-purpose yards as Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) remained perfect in the GCL South with a 26-20 win over Elder. Madaris had six carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns and had six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown reception. "Monty is going to be a Division I recruit and he has to learn how to be a leader as a junior," Moeller coach John Rodenberg told the Enquirer. "He's getting better and better." Moeller (6-1, 2-0 GCL-South) plays at La Salle next week.

4. Northmont upsets Centerville: Northmont (Clayton) defeated Centerville 24-21 in overtime on Friday night. It was Centerville's first loss since Oct. 23, 2009 - a game in which the Elks lost to Huber Heights Wayne. Northmont (5-2, 2-0 Greater Western Ohio Conference Central division) has won four consecutive games. The Thunderbolts play at Fairmont (Kettering) on Oct. 15. Centerville (6-1, 1-1) plays host to Wayne (Huber Heights) at 7 p.m. Thursday in a nationally-televised cable game. Wayne (4-3, 1-1) defeated Beavercreek 46-16 on Friday night.

5. Coleman commits to UC: La Salle senior wide receiver Rodriguez Coleman verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati on Oct. 3. UC made the offer Sunday. Coleman is the fourth La Salle player to make a college commitment from the 2011 class. Quarterback Andrew Kummer (Miami University), linebacker Ben Ingle (Ball State) and offensive lineman Jessie Back (Buffalo) are the other players. Coleman, who is 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, attended the Bearcats' passing camp this summer and made an impression. He also has the ability to play cornerback and play special teams. "Rod is one of the best players in southwest Ohio," La Salle coach Tom Grippa said. "…He's a top-flight player."
 
TOP STANDOUTS
* James Brown, Aiken (Cincinnati): The junior quarterback had 16 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons defeated Oyler 30-18 on Thursday, according to the Enquirer.

* Matt Staubach, Archbishop McNicholas (Cincinnati): The senior quarterback threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another as the Rockets defeated visiting Roger Bacon 21-14 on Thursday, according to the Enquirer.

* Liz Finley, Mason: The senior forward had two goals as the Comets defeated Lakota East 2-0 on Thursday night, according to the Enquirer.
 
THIS WEEK
Colerain (Cincinnati) at Princeton (Cincinnati) football, 7 p.m. Thursday: These two Greater Miami Conference teams meet in a game televised regionally by a cable network. Colerain, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Division I state poll, is a favorite to win its 11th consecutive league title.

Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati) at Lakota West (West Chester) volleyball, 7 p.m. Thursday: Ursuline concludes its regular season with a match at Lakota West in a non-league showdown. The Lions, ranked No. 4 nationally by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, enter the week with a 20-0 record. Ursuline plays host to Mercy at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Moeller at La Salle, football, 7:30 p.m. Friday: Yet another test for both teams in the Greater Catholic League – South division. Moeller has won the past four meetings against the Lancers. La Salle last won 17-14 on Oct. 1, 2005 against host Moeller.

RECRUITING NEWS
Taft (Cincinnati) junior defensive end Adolphus Washington has a dozen offers, including Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Pittsburgh and Boston College. … Little Miami (Morrow) senior Steven Zimmerman has verbally committed to Ohio State for swimming, according to the Enquirer. Zimmerman was the Division I state champion in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke last winter. ... Lakota West (West Chester) sophomore guard Monty Boykins was offered by Miami University on Oct. 1, according to Lakota West. It is the first offer for the 6-foot-3 guard. … Lakota West senior wrestler Ty Davis has verbally committed to Central Michigan, according to Lakota West. He was eighth at the Division I state meet at 135 pounds last winter.

RANDOM THOUGHTS
Centerville senior lineman Michael Bennett will reportedly play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, according to the Dayton Daily News. Bennett has already verbally committed to Ohio State. … The La Salle boys' cross country team won the Midwest Meet of Champions during the first weekend of October. It is the first time in school history the Lancers won the event. … Mother of Mercy (Cincinnati) girls' basketball coach Mary Jo Huismann is one win away from 600. Mercy opens the season Nov. 27 at Princeton (Cincinnati) at 3:15 p.m. … Colerain (Cincinnati) senior setter Sydney Morris broke the school record for career sets in a recent match against Harrison. She had 515 sets at the end of last week. The previous record of 465 sets was held by Melissa Dirr in 1996.