Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) Pickerington Central was unable to do much of anything offensively in a 14-0 season-opening loss against Cincinnati Greater Catholic League power Moeller last week. The task of scoring might be even tougher this week against another GCL power, 16th-ranked St. Xavier. This is the kickoff game of the Ohio Stadium portion of the annual Kirk Herbstreit Kickoff Classic. Last season the Tigers also played in the Herbstreit event, defeating Virginia power Oscar Smith (Chesapeake). Eleven starters are back from that team, which finished the year with an 11-1 record. They include a pair of Ohio State recruits in four-year starting lineman
Jacoby Boren and receiver Roger Lewis.
Despite going only 7-5 in 2010, a lot is expected from St. Xavier this season. The Bombers provided justification for those high hopes last week with a 30-7 blowout of Springfield in which they allowed the Wildcats a mere six net yards of total offense. The strength of this team, however, might be its offense. The unit has eight returning starters led by 1,000-yard rusher
Connor Hundley, senior quarterback
Griffin Dolle and Pittsburgh-bound center
Brandyn Cook (6-2, 290). This begins the toughest stretch of St. Xavier's annual murderous schedule. Next week the Bombers will play Colerain (Cincinnati), followed by nationally ranked Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) then league rivals Moeller and Elder.
Mitch Stephens: St. Xavier 21, Pickerington Central 17
Steve Montoya: St. Xavier 21, Pickerington Central 7
Stephen Spiewak: St. Xavier 24, Pickerington Central 10
Kevin Askeland: St. Xavier 24, Pickerington Central 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Xavier 27, Pickerington Central 7
St. Xavier players and fans are hoping for another happy ending.
Photo by Jim Owens
