Tri-State high school football Week 4 preview

Ranging far and wide this week, here are some of the, on paper at least, best high school match ups for this weekend as formulated by Greg Shoemaker of Tristatefootball.com.

Lawrenceburg- Franklin County

Chad Banschbach (pronounced Bunch-Bach) is the latest in a long line of hard charging Lawrenceburg running backs; a reason why the Tigers average over 43 points per game. Franklin meanwhile, is not offensively challenged in the least, averaging 39 per game.

Defense is something you put around de-yard. Hopefully there's no bad weather.

Gallatin County - Lloyd Memorial

Gallatin County is undefeated (4-0) and has never won more than 7 games in a season. Lloyd meanwhile, is on its own roll behind quarterback Dexter Smith. Home field will make the difference for the Jugs come Friday night.

Fairfield-Middletown

A tough slog looms for Fairfield and through no fault of their own. They're going to face a Middletown team that was routed last week by Winton Woods. Coach Troy Everhart isn't about to suffer two losses in a row, especially after having played St. Xavier so well in their opener, albeit an overtime loss.

Princeton-Colerain

Many Princeton fans long for the good old days when Pat Mancuso ruled the roost with his great Viking teams. The Cardinals have supplanted them in many fans regard, as the pre-eminent non-GCL power in Division I around Cincinnati. Don't look for anything resembling an upset as Cardinals home field advantage is just that. 

Mason-Lakota West

This pairing is a hybrid blend of good offenses with even better defensive stats. And the Comets have the advantage of a solid running game, (should the elements intervene) in Darryl Johnson. West's Mikel Horton though is just as capable of putting up big numbers. Both defenses will rise to the challenge.

Lakewood St. Edward - Elder

The Panthers are back! But not all the way until they clear this hurdle. St. Ed's has thrown back to back shutouts, which the Panthers will take as a personal challenge on both sides of the ball. They'd like to post their own shutout and prove that southwestern Ohio does indeed feature the best football in the state.

Simon-Kenton - Newport Central Catholic

Seeing that the Thoroughbreds are off to a 1-2 start is a bit of a disconnect for long time Tri-State fans. Simon-Kenton's recent success obviously wasn't a flash in the pan. Nor a trend. It is now a matter of fact: they are a force to be dealt with as the 'Breds are well aware.