Tri-State high school football best bets: Week 7

If ever there was ever a week primed for upsets in football this would be it. With the weather changing and the possibility of some slick footballs that can create some funny bounces all signs point to some crazy things happening in Week 7.

We are going to find out a lot about those keeping their eyes on the prize and that includes some programs that we usually don’t talk about much heading down the home stretch. It’s the beauty of October in the Tri-State. Here is a look at this weekend’s Best Bets :

OHIO
St. Xavier (4-2, 2-0) @ LaSalle (4-2, 0-1) – 7:30 PM – St. Xavier is looking for their first GCL South title since 2007 and 22nd in school history. LaSalle gets another shot at home to take down a conference foe. The Lancers get in trouble when they turn the ball over. Taking care of the pigskin will be priority number one for Tom Grippa’s boys in this contest.

Elder (3-3, 0-1) @ Moeller (5-1, 1-1) – 7:30 PM – This may be the last life line for Elder in 2012. The Panthers will be looking for something positive to happen for them in GCL South play having lost their last four in conference. They need a win to keep playoff hopes alive. Moeller hasn’t played at home since September, 1 and now the schedule favors them for a strong finish. The Crusaders’ rushing attack plays into their favor in this affair.

Edgewood (5-1, 2-1) @ Northwest (6-0, 3-0) – 7:30 PM – It is power versus athleticism in this affair. So far in year one of the SWOC, finesse has won out over physicality. Northwest is riding an all-time high right now with a school record six wins to start the season. Kicking them off their pedestal at home is going to take an inordinate amount of focus by Edgewood. The Cougars must not get rattled if they get down on the road and keep to their strength, which is pounding the football on offense.

Mount Healthy (6-0, 3-0) @ Harrison (3-3, 3-0) – 7:30 PM – Here they are again. After another slow start, Harrison sits in a tie atop the SWOC and in the running for another playoff appearance. The Wildcats control their own fate from here on out. Mount Healthy has that “IT” factor and the desire to be better, but winning at Bill Kuntz Field will not be a walk in the park.

Lakota West (6-0, 3-0) @ Oak Hills (4-2, 2-1) – 7:30 PM – Stubborn is as stubborn does in this tilt. Neither team is going to stray too far from what has gotten them to this point and that is running the football. Lakota West back Mikel Horton and his opposite number at Oak Hills, Demarco Ruffin, are in the GMC’s top five in rushing yards. Ruffin, who is only a junior, is less than 100 yards away from his second 1,000-yard season.

Middletown (2-4, 1-2) @ Colerain (6-0, 3-0) – 7:30 PM – Don’t let the records fool you. Middletown is as dangerous a two-win team as there is out there. The Middies will be jacked up to leave a mark on what has been a disappointing campaign to this point. Colerain remembers how tough last year win was on the road over Middletown. Look for the Cardinals to come out and force the issue on offense daring the Middies to stop anything they throw at them.

Turpin (6-0, 3-0) @ Anderson (3-3, 3-0) – 7:30 PM – The battle for supremacy in the Forrest Hills School District did not disappoint in 2011 with Anderson’s Jared Cook hauling in a dramatic touchdown pass in the game’s final seconds. Cook has been unstoppable during the Redskins’ current three-game win streak with 434 receiving yards, 597 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns. Expect another intense throw down at a packed Brown Stadium. Turpin’s Ryan Millikin is back after an early season injury kept him out. His ability to make the big play might be the difference in the outcome for the Spartans.

Winton Woods (5-1) @ Loveland (4-2, 2-1) – Despite the loss to Anderson last week, Loveland is still sitting at #9 in the latest Region 4 Harbin Ratings. A win over the Warriors puts the Tigers back in the back in the top eight with three weeks left to play. Winton Woods has been outstanding the past five week beating teams who will only give them quality ratings points down the stretch. This week is another opportunity to add to those big wins for both schools.

Blanchester (4-2, 2-0) @ Batavia (6-0, 2-0) – 7:30 PM – The outcome of this affair puts winner alone in first place in the SBAAC National with one game left in conference play. It is hard to tell just how good either one of these squads are based on who they’ve played. Batavia looks the part so far, but tests have been few and far between. Blanchester can throw their hat into the playoff picture over the next few weeks if they can take down the Bulldogs, Norwood and Goshen.

Norwood @ Goshen (4-2, 0-2) – 7:30 PM – Joining the SBAAC has been a good thing for Norwood football up to this point now they can make it a great thing by bringing home a league title. We will see how the Indians handle success the next two weeks with tough road tilts at Goshen and Blanchester. Goshen has trouble the past two