High School Insider with Mike Dyer | Cincinnati NKY Sports

In Class 5A, Cooper (12-2) plays Bowling Green (11-3) on Saturday night in Lexington.  Cooper returns to the state final for the first time since 2012 when the Jaguars were a 5A state runner-up to Bowling Green. Cooper defeated Highlands 17-15 in a state semifinal Nov. 24. That was the second meeting of the season. The WCPO High School Insider Podcast spoke with Cooper coach Randy Borchers and senior middle linebacker/right guard Jack Lonaker as the Jaguars prepare for this weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Central coach Jake Meiners and senior running back/outside linebacker Dylan Maxwell joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss the upcoming state final. The undefeated Trojans (14-0) play NorthWood (12-2) in the Indiana Class 4A state final at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Trojans practiced in its fieldhouse Monday afternoon in preparing for Lucas Oil Stadium. The team is able to visit and practice at the NFL stadium on Wednesday. East Central, which has outscored its opponents 698-83, is trying to win its second straight state title and become the first public school to repeat in Class 4A. East Central defeated visiting New Palestine 49-0 in the semi-state game Nov. 17.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anderson plays Withrow in a highly-anticipated Division II football regional final Friday night at Princeton. Anderson coach Evan Dreyer along with senior running back Brodey Berg and senior safety Joey Emrick joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss Friday's game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lakota West and undefeated Princeton meet Friday night in Mason with a trip to the Division I regional final on the line. The WCPO High School Insider Podcast speaks with Lakota West coach Tom Bolden, junior quarterback Sam Wiles, senior linebacker Jacob Asbeck and junior linebacker Grant Beerman as the Firebirds try to earn their fourth consecutive regional final appearance. Friday night marks the second meeting between the Vikings and Firebirds this season. Princeton won 18-3 in West Chester Township on Aug. 25See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moeller and St. Xavier renew their GCL South rivalry for the second time this season - this time in a regional quarterfinal Friday night at RDI Stadium. Moeller coach Bert Bathiany along with senior defensive back Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame verbal commit) and senior tight end Eli Jacon-Duffy (Bowling Green commit) joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss the Crusaders and this highly-anticipated game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the start of the high school football playoffs week in Ohio. Friday night's WCPO 9 Game of the Week features Mason (5-5) at Lebanon (7-3) in a Division I first-round matchup with plenty of familiarity. Lebanon coach Micah Faler was previously the Mason head freshman football coach for two years and the varsity quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for three years. He was also the head eighth grade coach at Middle Middle School for five years. The two programs have scrimmaged each other the past two preseasons. This will be the first game between the two since Mason defeated Lebanon 34-16 in the first round of the 2020 playoffs. Lebanon and Mason won their respective regular-season finales Oct. 20 and this figures to be a tightly-contested matchup of Nos. 8 and 9 seeds. Faler along with senior defensive tackle Evan Black and middle linebacker Charlie Smith joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss this season. Lebanon (7-3) has won five consecutive games entering the playoffs. It is the first five-game win streak since 2016, according to athletic director Keith Pantling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final week of the Ohio high school football regular season is here. Let the playoff projections begin. Two playoff-bound teams are featured in this week's WCPO 9 Game of the Week including Sycamore (5-4) at Princeton (9-0). "We expect it to be a heck of a ballgame," Princeton coach Andre Parker. Princeton, ranked No. 2 in the Division I, Region 4 computer points standings, has a 9-0 record for the first time since 1993. The Vikings are trying to earn their first outright Greater Miami Conference title since 1993. Parker along with senior safety Kevin Jordan, senior wide receiver/cornerback/punter Jordan Houston and junior wide receiver, kick returner, punt returner Antonio Hunter joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss this season and the keys to the Vikings' success. Sycamore, ranked No. 9 in the Region 4 computer points standings, has an opportunity to host a first-round playoff game when the postseason begins Oct. 27. The Aviators are trying to defeat Princeton for the first time since September 2019. There are several other games to watch for Week 10 including Elder (5-4) at La Salle (4-5), Anderson (8-1) at Kings (5-4) and Lakota West (7-2) at Hamilton (7-2). The Ohio High School Athletic Association will post the final computer points standings in each of the seven divisions on Saturday night or early Sunday morning. The official playoff pairings will be announced on Sunday afternoon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the start of the postseason just two weeks away, the high school football regular season enters an important juncture for teams eyeing the playoffs. One of the best matchups this season occurs Friday night when undefeated Wyoming (8-0) plays host to Indian Hill (6-2) in a Cincinnati Hills League showdown. Indian Hill coach John Rodenberg, senior wide receiver/defensive back Jonathan Copfer and senior wide receiver/defensive back/kicker Alex Grace joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss the upcoming game and Indian Hill's season. Indian Hill is undergoing a resurgence in Rodenberg's second season with the program, a year after the team had a 3-7 record in 2022. Indian Hill is No. 7 in Region 16 and has won five consecutive games. Indian Hill has outscored its opponents 84-6 the past two weeks. Wyoming, ranked No. 2 in the Division IV, Region 16 computer points standings, has won 75 consecutive regular season games. Wyoming has won nine consecutive games over Indian Hill. It will be senior night at Wyoming as the Cowboys will be a focus of a spotlight for its success this season and the tradition that is the foundation of the program.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Milford High School football team has earned plenty of the spotlight this season as the top-ranked team in the Division I, Region 4 standings. The Eagles, who have a 7-0 record for the first time since 1957, want to continue the momentum Friday night as they play at Winton Woods (6-1) in the WCPO 9 Game of the Week. Milford, ranked No. 6 in this week's Associated Press Division I state poll, wants to win its first outright Eastern Cincinnati Conference title this season. The Eagles must defeat Winton Woods in order to earn that distinction with two remaining home games. Milford is 0-8 all-time against Winton Woods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elder plays host to Moeller in the WCPO 9 Game of the Week Friday night at The Pit. Both teams are in the top five of the Division I, Region 4 computer points standings. More at https://wcpo.com/HSinsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Undefeated Winton Woods (5-0) plays at Anderson (4-1) in a key Eastern Cincinnati Conference football showdown this Friday. "It's been a pretty competitive series over the years," Winton Woods coach Chad Murphy said. "From the FAVC (Fort Ancient Valley Conference) days to the ECC days now. We know they're a throw it around, score a lot of points team. We've battled with them the last couple years so we couldn't be more excited." Winton Woods is No. 1 in the Division II, Region 8 computer points standings, according to Joe Eitel,while Anderson is No. 2. Murphy and senior defensive lineman Cam Jackson joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss this season and the upcoming game against the Raptors. Anderson defeated Walnut Hills 51-0 last week. That victory came a week after the Raptors lost 56-35 at Milford. Anderson coach Evan Dreyer said the Raptors hope that experience against Milford will help this week against Winton Woods. "We can't give Winton Woods a short field or a big play," Dreyer said. Anderson junior quarterback Justice Burnam has thrown for a conference-best 1,543 yards and 16 touchdowns. Anderson senior Brodey Berg has rushed for 460 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has 384 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Trace Jallick has 380 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Anderson will face a Winton Woods defense which has allowed just four points per game and 20 points overall this season. "Their defense is incredible," Dreyer said. Winton Woods has an 18-game regular season win streak. Its most recent regular-season loss came at Anderson Oct. 1, 2021 (28-21). Jackson said he remembers what it was like to lose at Anderson during the 2021 game. He said it was a turning point in the state championship journey. "It was quiet in the locker room," Jackson said. "There weren't a lot of laughs and giggles. it wasn't a good feeling at all. That's all I remember." Winton Woods, which defeated Little Miami 51-0 last week, is led by several players including junior linebacker Justin Hill who has a conference-best 6 1/2 sacks. Jackson has four sacks while junior defensive back Donmiel Rogers Jr. has three interceptions. Junior running back Tyler Gooding has rushed for 488 yards and six touchdowns.   Subscribe to High School Insider with Mike Dyer podcast:  Apple Podcasts  Castbox  Google Podcasts  Pocket Casts  RadioPublic  Stitcher  RSS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taft and Purcell Marian are less than five miles away so there is a good deal of familiarity among the student-athletes in the football programs. The teams will start their first game of a home-and-home agreement Friday night when the Cavaliers (3-1) play host to the Senators (3-1) at 7 p.m. at Staubach Stadium. The teams will also play in the 2024 regular season. The WCPO High School Insider Podcast visited Stargel Stadium to discuss the upcoming game with Taft coach Tyler Williams along with senior quarterback Armoud Seals and senior wide receiver/defensive back Tayshawn Banks. More at https://wcpo.com/HSinsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most anticipated high school football games this regular season occurs Friday night at Withrow High School's Angus King Stadium. That's when the Tigers (3-0) play host to St. Xavier (2-1) starting at 7 p.m. It is the WCPO 9 Game of the Week. St. Xavier and Withrow are two of Greater Cincinnati's premier high school football programs with a great deal of talent this season. The WCPO High School Insider Podcast spoke with Withrow coach Kali Jones and senior defensive back Terhyon Nichols (Kentucky verbal commit) about the matchup and this season. St. X, a Division I program, and Withrow, a Division II program, won't meet in the postseason. This is the first game of a home-and-home agreement that was announced in February.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday night features an intriguing Ohio versus Indiana matchup Friday night at East Central High School. Undefeated East Central (2-0) plays host to Moeller (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Trojan Field in the sixth meeting between the storied programs. It is the WCPO 9 Game of the Week. The WCPO High School Insider Podcast spoke with Trojans coach Jake Meiners along with senior running back Josh Ringer and senior linebacker Brayden Rouse. East Central, the reigning Indiana Class 4A state champion, has outscored its opponents 84-14 the first two weeks. Moeller defeated Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Dwenger 57-0 on Aug. 25. It was the Crusaders' largest margin of victory since September 2019 when Moeller defeated Lexington Lafayette 68-7. This Friday night is the fourth consecutive season Moeller and East Central have scheduled a regular-season game. Moeller won the past two meetings and the Trojans won the 2020 game. The teams plan to play again in 2024. East Central athletic director Kevin Moore said he expects a very large crowd Friday night. The seating capacity is 4,500 and many fans line the fence to watch the game. "East Central should be a true road test," Moeller coach Bert Bathiany said. "It is a great environment, a proud football tradition." Both teams have potential Mr. Football candidates in their respective states. East Central senior running back Josh Ringer, a Miami University verbal commit, has 4,100 yards rushing which is fourth-most in program history, according to East Central statistician Andrew Shaver. Ringer needs six more rushing touchdowns for the most rushing touchdowns in school history, according to Shaver. Moeller senior running back Jordan Marshall, a Michigan verbal commit, was an Ohio Mr. Football finalist in 2022. Marshall had a rushing and a receiving touchdown in last week's victory. He scored four touchdowns in Moeller's season-opening loss to Indianapolis Ben Davis Aug. 18. Subscribe to High School Insider with Mike Dyer podcast:  Apple Podcasts  Castbox  Google Podcasts  Pocket Casts  RadioPublic  Stitcher  RSS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday night will be one of the earliest times in a season that Covington Catholic and Highlands will renew their football rivalry. But, it also happens on a night when the kickoff will happen an hour later than normal (8 p.m.) due to the expected heat index. Even as the teams adjust practice schedules this week to the heat, there is plenty of anticipation building for Friday night at David Cecil Memorial Stadium. "It's going to be a really exciting game and we're all really getting ready," Highlands senior quarterback Brody Benke said. "It's just different. Everyone feels more locked in and practice is way more intense. Everyone is ready for Friday to come." Benke, senior tight end/defensive end Luke Schneider along with Highlands coach Bob Sphire joined the WCPO High School Insider Podcast to discuss Friday's game against CovCath. "Great football team; it ought to be a killer game," Sphire said. "It ought to be a classic follow-up. They just won against a really, really good football team in Ryle. They do such a great job. (CovCath coach) Eddie (Eviston) is a really good ball coach. He'll have them obviously ready." Highlands (1-0) defeated host Lexington Catholic 34-27 Aug. 18. Benke was 12 of 17 passing for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed 19 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown. Schneider had two sacks on defense. CovCath (1-0) defeated visiting Ryle 37-22 Aug. 18. The Colonels held a 20-0 first-quarter lead against Ryle. Senior quarterback Evan Pitzer was 17 of 24 passing for 271 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown. Senior running back Owen Leen had 16 carries for 96 yards and three touchdowns. CovCath coach Eddie Eviston said the Bluebirds will be a significant test on Friday night. "It's going to be a battle," Eviston said. "They are a very talented team. We got to be ready." Subscribe to High School Insider with Mike Dyer podcast:  Apple Podcasts  Stitcher  RSS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The high school football season kicks off this week with a flurry of highly-anticipated matchups. No season opener draws more attention each year in Greater Cincinnati than a non-conference showdown between Lakota West and St. Xavier. The rivalry is renewed Friday night as the Bombers host the Firebirds at RDI Stadium (7 p.m. kickoff). This will be the fifth meeting between the teams since the 2020 season including three consecutive season openers. The WCPO High School Insider Podcast highlights the game this week including interviews with St. X coach Steve Specht, junior quarterback Chase Herbstreit, senior running back Steven Napier and senior center Andrew Jennings along with Lakota West coach Tom Bolden. Lakota West defeated visiting St. X in 2022 while the Bombers won the 2021 matchup. "Such a special game last year; it'll be special this year," Bolden said. "I've said it over and over again: It's what's best about high school football when you can have games like that. Have them early or whenever but especially right off the bat. You'll know what you got. You'll know what you're good at. You'll know what you have to fix." Lakota West (13-1 in 2022), which has made three consecutive Division I regional final appearances, defeated the visiting Bombers 16-13 in the 2022 season opener. The Firebirds return plenty of talented playersincluding senior safety Taebron Bennie-Powell, who is verbally committed to Notre Dame. Lakota West has a new starting quarterback in freshman Jackson Smith after four-year starter Mitch Bolden graduated this spring. St. X (5-7) returns several talented players from last season including senior defensive lineman Ted Hammond, who is verbally committed to Michigan. The Bombers return junior quarterback Chase Herbstreit to lead the offense this season along with several other key starters. Friday night is expected to have a large crowd at RDI Stadium for two teams with significant expectations in Division I, Region 4. "I've always thought that you want great games early because it's going to define who you are win or lose - you're going to find out where you are real fast," Specht said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. You want to challenge your kids every week. We definitely do that."More at https://wcpo.com/HSinsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mason (10-3 in 2022), a Division I regional semifinalist last season, has to also replace some important positions due to graduation. "The product that we put on this field - the community should be proud every Friday night," Mason coach Brian Castner said this summer. Castner, who enters his 14th season as the Comets head coach, joined the podcast to discuss the expectations for the Comets, who open the season against visiting Gahanna Lincoln Aug. 18. He also reflected upon the tradition at Mason and how important it is to the school community. Senior linebacker Kai Woolfolk, senior defensive end/tight end Liam McManes, senior left tackle Vaughn Johnson and senior tight end Quinn Brown also joined the discussion for the Comets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sycamore, led by head coach Scott Dattilo, plays host to Kings Aug. 18 and Fairfield Aug. 25.The Aviators have several seniors who are ready to lead the team this season. Senior quarterback Seth Truter, senior defensive end Jahad Jabar and senior free safety Elijah Hill reflected upon how the Aviators worked together this offseason to build special bonds throughout the program. More at https://wcpo.com/HSinsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moeller (13-2 in 2022) was in the Division I state semifinals the past two seasons. The Crusaders return plenty of talented players including senior running back Jordan Marshall, who was the Gatorade Ohio player of the year in 2022. "We all know what happened the last two years," Bathiany said. "And they're hungry. There is no doubt about that. The motivation is there. We are trending upward to get to where we want to be at the end of the year." Marshall and senior linebacker Kyler Paul discussed Moeller's preseason and how the team is helping others this summer through a special event hosted by the program. More at https://wcpo.com/HSinsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indian Hill coach John Rodenberg, Moeller coach Bert Bathiany and Sycamore coach Scott Dattilo joined the podcast to discuss their teams before the first Friday night of the season on Aug. 18. Rodenberg, who is starting his 30th season overall as a head coach including the 26th year in Greater Cincinnati, is in his second season with the Braves. Indian Hill, which returns more than 20 players from a year ago, opens the season against visiting Roger Bacon Aug. 18. Indian Hill senior quarterback John Podojil, senior defensive back/wide receiver Danny O'Brien and senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Gabe Oakes joined the discussion on this episode. Bathiany, the former Lexington Catholic coach, begins his first season with Moeller, which opens the season against visiting Indianapolis Ben Davis Aug. 18 at Mount St. Joseph University.More at https://wcpo.com/HSinsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.