CINCINNATI — It's that time of the year already?! High school football is back in the Tri-State, and we've got this week's top games covered for you.
Our WCPO 9 Friday Football Game of the Week was a showdown between Anderson (15-1 record in 2024) and Cooper (14-1). While on opposite sides of the river, the two squads have something in common: Cooper was the Kentucky Class 5A state runner-up last season, while Anderson was Ohio's Division II state runner-up.
Fueled by last season, both teams return key players and look to nab that elusive state title this year.
Here are some of the most outstanding players during the first games of the season:
- Ryan Minges, East Central — The junior running back had 25 carries for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans' 39-12 win over host Lawrenceburg. Minges has scored a rushing touchdown in 13 consecutive games.
- Ryder Hooks, Lakota East — The senior running back rushed for a career-high 289 yards in the Thunderhawks' 35-20 win at Centerville. Hooks had two rushing touchdowns. He also had four receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a single-game program record 353 yards, according to Lakota East coach Jon Kitna.
- Caleb Naumann, McNicholas — The senior running back rushed for 137 yards and four touchdowns in the Rockets' 34-28 win at Turpin. He also had two receptions for 22 yards.
- Tink Sellers, Deer Park — The junior quarterback was 13 of 14 passing for 224 yards and five touchdowns in the Wildcats' 41-31 win at Dayton Belmont. Sellers had 11 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown. He also had five kickoff returns for 117 yards.
- Lance Cantrell, Talawanda — The senior running back rushed 26 times for 423 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-21 win over visiting Taylor. Cantrell will join the Ohio High School Athletic Association football state record list for most rushing yards in a game (minimum 400 yards). He also set a single-game program record for most rushing yards, which was previously held by Maurice Thomas (408 yards), according to Talawanda coach Andy Stuckert.
- Landon Young, West Clermont — The senior rushed 20 times for 179 yards and four touchdowns in the Wolves' 42-7 win over visiting Mount Healthy. He also had a 40-yard reception.
- Ayden Earls, Campbell County — The junior returned two kickoffs for a touchdown and caught two more touchdown passes in a 58-40 win over Scott.
- Jacob Savage, Ryle — The senior rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns and earned eight tackles in the Raiders' 26-20 win at Covington Catholic.
- Camden Dittman, New Richmond — The senior defensive back had 8.5 tackles and an interception in the Lions' 53-34 win at Bethel-Tate. He also had six receptions for 87 yards as a wide receiver.
- Savion Davis, Withrow — The sophomore threw for 205 yards and a touchdown and rushed nine times for 120 yards and another score as Withrow defeated visiting Milford 35-0.
If you think a specific player deserves to be in the spotlight for their Week 1 performance, you can vote for your favorite Player of the Week in the poll below:
Our WCPO 9 Friday Football Game of the Week was a showdown between Anderson (15-1 record in 2024) and Cooper (14-1). While on opposite sides of the river, the two squads have something in common: Cooper was the Kentucky Class 5A state runner-up last season, while Anderson was Ohio's Division II state runner-up.
Fueled by last season, both teams return key players and look to nab that elusive state title this year.
Our crews were also at Indian Hill vs. Roger Bacon, St. X vs. Lakota West, La Salle vs. Colerain, Covington Catholic vs. Ryle, Highlands vs. Frederick Douglass and St. Henry vs. Holy Cross — the first varsity football game in St. Henry history.
You can watch highlights of Friday's games during WCPO 9 Friday Football segment in the video player below.
