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The second half of the 2025 high school football season is here, and every game counts more than ever. Week 6 brought some of the most anticipated matchups across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with playoff implications hanging in the balance.
Whether you’re rooting for Elder, St. Xavier, Middletown, Lakota West, Moeller, La Salle, Taft, or Withrow—here’s a full breakdown of this week’s biggest clashes.
🔴 Game of the Week: #4 Elder at #2 St. Xavier
The Elder Panthers (5-0) continue to grind out wins thanks to dual-threat quarterback Kaden Estep (863 passing yards, 6 TDs; 398 rushing yards, 4 TDs). Estep’s leadership and balanced attack—supported by RB Tommy Becker and receivers Jackson Ruth and Chase Walpole—make Elder dangerous on offense.
Defensively, Brody Turner (37 tackles) and Derek Uran (35 tackles, 3.5 sacks) anchor a unit allowing just 11.8 PPG.
St. Xavier, rebounding from a tough loss to Moeller, is looking for quarterback Jackson Frey (769 yards, 10 TDs) to re-ignite the offense. WR Cam Taylor has been his go-to target, but X’s strength remains on defense, with Kobe Clapper, Aden Reeder, and Brayden Reilly leading the way.
📌 Prediction: St. Xavier rallies at home in a close one.
🟣 Underdog Story: #14 Middletown at #17 Lakota West
The surprise of the season, Middletown (5-0), has been dominant on both sides of the ball. QB JoJo Ward (684 pass yards, 132 rush yards in 4 games) and WR Ace Cooper (460 yards, 5 TDs) are putting up huge numbers. Defensively, the Bryant brothers and J.D. Singletary have powered a front that allows just 6.2 PPG.
But Lakota West, despite a stumble at Fairfield, still has firepower. QB Jackson Smith and WR Tyson Davis (443 yards) lead an explosive offense, while DB Chris Bradley (4 INTs) is a difference-maker on defense.
📌 Prediction: Lakota West bounces back at home.
🟡 Heavyweight Battle: #7 La Salle at #1 Moeller
La Salle’s dual-threat QB Avier Carter (669 pass yards, 350 rush yards, 11 TDs) has kept the Lancers in contention. They also boast two of the GCL South’s top tacklers in Colin Wooldridge (57) and Rodney Portis (42).
But Moeller, fresh off a statement win, has the ultimate weapon: QB Matt Ponatoski (1,000 yards, 13 TDs). With RBs Tyler Joselyn and Dante Ware plus defensive leader Conner Cuozzo, the Crusaders look every bit the state powerhouse.
📌 Prediction: Moeller stays on top.
🟢 Offensive Fireworks: #10 Taft at #19 Withrow
The Taft Senators are averaging an eye-popping 58 PPG over their last three games. QB Monsanna Torbert has already passed for 1,200 yards with 16 TDs and 0 INTs. He spreads the ball to a trio of receivers—Lorenzo McMullen, Nijia Hill, and Eddie Holloway—while the defense, led by JoJo Pouncy and Adam Kirtley, continues to shut opponents down.
Withrow has been equally impressive, with one of the area’s stingiest defenses. DB Mister Achoe (3 INTs) locks down the secondary, while LB Christian Browner and DL Chaneli Gilden dominate the front. QB Sa’Vion Davis adds dual-threat explosiveness to the Tigers’ attack.
📌 Prediction: Expect fireworks—this one could go either way.
✅ Takeaway
From Elder’s grit to Moeller’s dominance and Middletown’s rise, Cincinnati high school football is as thrilling as ever. Every game this week carried playoff-level energy, and fans can expect even more drama as the season heads into the home stretch.
👉 Stay tuned with Ohio Healthy Living Media for live scores, player highlights, and weekly breakdowns of the Tri-State’s top matchups.
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