Moeller football defeats St. Xavier 30-13. See game highlights
Moeller opened GCL-South play with a 30-13 victory over St. Xavier Sept. 19 at West Clermont High School.
- Fairfield pulled off the shocker of the night of Sept. 19 by upsetting Lakota West.
- Moeller was unfazed by the dominant St. Xavier defense in its seventh straight victory over the Bombers.
The high school football regular season is officially at the halfway mark. How did we get this far, this fast?
There were several big rivalry games on both sides of the river, and a few teams provided eye-raising results.
Here’s everything we learned, as well as some of the biggest performances, from the latest edition of Friday night lights in Greater Cincinnati.
Fairfield stuns Lakota West
The Indians celebrated homecoming in style, getting their first win over Lakota West since 2019. Hunter Gagan kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:49 left to deliver the 10-7 victory.
Fairfield responded to Lakota West’s first quarter touchdown with a three-yard score from Dominic Back just before halftime. The play of the game was a fourth down stop at the Indians’ 25-yard line with less than a minute left.
It’s the first statement win for head coach Justin Roden. The Indians are now on a three-game winning streak and in a tie for second place in the conference. Could they be this year’s long-term darling?
Don’t push the panic button for Lakota West just yet, but 2-3 is the Firebirds’ worst record through five games since 2018. Things don’t get any easier next week as they host 5-0 Middletown.
Moeller makes it 7 straight against St. Xavier
In a battle of two of the top two Division I teams in Cincinnati, Moeller made a GCL-South statement by pulling away from St. Xavier in the league-opener, 30-13.
A St. Xavier defense that was giving up just 140 yards per game and had held its first four opponents to single-digit points struggled against Moeller’s high-powered offense. Moeller got its rushing attack going with the duo of Dante Ware and Tyler Josleyn combining unofficially for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts.
It was Moeller’s defense that came up big, posting a second-half shutout while giving up just 39 total yards over the final two quarters. Paxton Dodsworth’s interception and 48-yard return set up the only touchdown of the second half and leading tackler Conner Cuozzo posted a pair of sacks.
Will we see a rematch? Moeller and St. Xavier have met in the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Moeller pushed its winning streak against the Bombers to seven games, dating back to the 2021 season.
Moeller continues GCL-South play against La Salle in Week 6.
Goshen is 4-1 for the first time since 2017
The Goshen Warriors routed Blanchester 57-24 to improve to 4-1 as they seek their first winning season since 2019. They are enjoying their best start since going 5-0 in 2017 on their way to a 9-2 finish. Goshen has scored over 50 points in the last two games and averages 40 points for the season.
Moeller’s Reggie Watson makes juggling 16-yard TD grab vs. St. Xavier
Moeller’s Reggie Watson makes a juggling 16-yard touchdown grab against St. Xavier on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Beat rolls on for Cantrell, Talawanda
Talawanda beat Carroll 49-8 to improve to 5-0 for the first time since at least 2013 after enjoying their first 4-0 start since 2019. Senior Lance Cantrell continued his impressive season with 286 rushing yards and four touchdowns, two of them from over 60 yards. Cantrell, who is listed among the national leaders in rushing yards by MaxPreps, should stay on that list with 1,361 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Talawanda hosts Ross next week.
Lloyd Memorial 5-0 for first time since 2014
After their 49-24 win against Campbell County, the Juggernauts have won their first five games for the first time since 2014. That season, they went on to finish 9-3. Should Lloyd Memorial win again next week against Pendleton County they would truly be in unchartered territory, as the Juggernauts have not been 6-0 in at least the last two decades.
Ryle slide continues as Highlands powers through
After starting the season 2-0 and coming in at number three in 6A in the first Kentucky high school football media poll, Ryle has now dropped three straight. Their tough 28-24 loss at the hands of the number four team in 4A will have the Raiders searching for answers.
The Bluebirds, on the other hand, found a way to win the game without starting signal caller Rio Litmer. Tayden Lorenzen took over, and while limited in the passing game, his sheer tenacity as a runner carried the Highlands offense as he punched in three scores. The Bluebirds defense also came up clutch, forcing turnovers on Ryle’s final two possessions including a pick-six to take the lead.
Which Cincinnati high school football players powered their team to a Week 5 victory?
Mylz Cunningham, Oak Hills: He led the Highlanders with 10 tackles as they picked up their first win since Week 1.
Dylan Gaiser, Covington Catholic: The senior ran the ball 23 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns as the Colonels beat Beechwood for the fourth straight time.
Landon Young, West Clermont: He provided all the offense the Wolves needed, rushing for 221 yards and five touchdowns in a 35-21 win over Milford.
Jerome Smith, Roger Bacon: Smith ran 12 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns in Roger Bacon’s 42-22 win over New Richmond. He was one of two 100-yard rushers for the Spartans as Ja’mere Mitchell ran for 105.
Tysin Weaver, Anderson: Weaver had seven receptions for 190 yards and four touchdowns in Anderson’s 49-17 win over Kings.
Kaden Estep, Elder: The junior finished 20-of-28 for 225 yards and a touchdown in Elder’s 26-24 victory over Louisville St. Xavier. Estep also ran for a game-high 128 yards and a score on 15 carries. He also forced a crucial fumble in the third quarter on a punt return that got deep into Elder territory.
Harlem Coleman, Middletown: The sophomore had a 99-yard pick-six in Middletown’s 63-0 win over Sycamore.
Daniel Wallace, Lebanon: Wallace had 248 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in Lebanon’s 49-32 win over Little Miami. On the ground, Wallace ran for 157 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He also caught two scores from quarterback Luke Faler, finishing with four catches for 91 yards.
Zion Neal, Princeton: The senior had 183 scrimmage yards on just 14 total touches in Princeton’s 42-7 win over Lakota East. Neal did the majority of his damage on the ground with 147 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts.
Landon Hittle, Williamsburg: Hittle had seven catches for 155 yards and ran for 90 yards and a touchdown as Williamsburg remained unbeaten with a 46-13 victory over McClain.
Jordan Vann, Middletown: Vann returned the opening kickoff at Sycamore 98 yards for his second kickoff return score of the year. In the second quarter of the 62-0 win, Vann also returned a punt 67 yards for another touchdown.
Colton Bellman, East Central: He answered the bell for the Trojans for the third straight week with Ryan Minges out. He rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-0 win over Batesville, after posting 256 yards the week before. He now has 549 yards this season.
Owen Scalf, Anderson: The junior QB completed 21-of-37 passes for 413 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushed for 43 yards, in the Raptors’ 49-24 win over Kings.
Lance Cantrell, Talawanda: The senior running back had more eye-popping stats, going for 286 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 49-8 win over Carrol.
