Cincinnati High School Football Playoffs Recap
The high school football playoffs in Cincinnati kicked off with thrilling matches during the regional quarterfinal round on Friday night. Fans witnessed a variety of upsets, dramatic scores, and an exciting overtime finish as teams fought for a chance to advance.
In Division I, Region 4, top-ranked Moeller showed their strength by defeating No. 8 seed Lakota East 55-28 at Mount St. Joseph University. Junior quarterback Matt Ponatoski had an impressive night, completing 16 of 21 passes for 313 yards and five touchdown throws. With this performance, he is set to make his mark in the Ohio High School Athletic Association record books with 44 passing touchdowns this season, bringing his total yards to 3,091.
Moeller’s special teams also shone brightly, with a kickoff return and an interception both going for touchdowns. The Moeller team, now 11-1, will meet No. 4 seed Princeton (10-2) in the regional semifinals on November 15. This match is a rematch of their earlier game this season where Moeller emerged victorious with a score of 38-21. Princeton secured their spot by defeating Hamilton 37-7.
Another highlight in Division I featured Lakota West (No. 2 seed) beating Elder 20-14. They will face St. Xavier (No. 6 seed) in the semifinals after St. X won against Winton Woods 22-10.
In Division II, top-seeded Anderson crushed Vandalia Butler 49-14. The Raptors, now at 11-0, have set a record for most points in a season with 615 points scored against only 107 points allowed. They will play No. 5 seed Mount Healthy, who upset Badin 30-14 thanks to standout performances from senior Jai’Mier Scott and quarterback Jahmeir Spain.
Moving on to Division III, Bellbrook defeated McNicholas 24-21, while Wapakoneta overwhelmed Wilmington 48-12. In Division IV, Indian Hill celebrated a stunning 16-13 overtime victory against top-seeded Clinton-Massie. Indian Hill’s coach noted that many doubted their chances, but their strategy paid off.
In the other divisions, Cincinnati College Preparatory made history by defeating Fort Loramie and advancing to their first regional semifinal. They play Minster next. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, with a dominant performance led by senior Damien Dawson, also advanced, setting up a tough challenge against No. 1 seed Coldwater.
Overall, Friday’s games were filled with surprises and showcased the impressive talent in Cincinnati’s high school football scene. With the semifinals just around the corner, the excitement and anticipation continue to build as teams gear up for their next challenges.
