CINCINNATI — We're nearing the end of football Fridays in the Tri-State as some local teams are just TWO wins away from nabbing that coveted state title.
Our WCPO 9 Friday Football Game of the Week was the Division II, Region 8 championship between unbeaten Anderson and the No. 2 seed in their region, La Salle. It was the fourth meeting between the two programs, including the first matchup since a 2021 second-round playoff game in which the Lancers won 45-21.
This time, Anderson scored in the final minutes to get the 28-21 win. The Raptors remain unbeaten and take home their second straight regional title.
A thriller down to the final moments — Moeller came out on top, defeating St. Xavier 28-23 in their regional final to get to their fourth consecutive state semifinals. Moeller coach Bert Bethiany said after the game the win came down to one thing: belief.
No CPS school had won a regional title since 1992 coming into Friday night. Taft became the first in 32 years to do it after a 26-12 win over Alter.
Across the river, Ryle is also heading to the Class 6A state semifinals after crushing Central Hardin 43-14. They'll face a Great Crossing team they already beat 36-8 earlier this season.
Cooper also continued its dominant season Friday night, getting a 56-15 win over Southwestern. Also in Class 5A, Highlands had some trouble early after Pulaski County took a 10-0 lead but ran away with it in the second half, winning 42-18.
Covington Catholic had maybe the most surprising win of the week, taking down Class 4A favorites Boyle County in a rematch of last year's state championship. Boyle was on a 32-game win streak entering the night, but CovCath jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held onto it to get their vengeance, winning 31-28.
In Class 2A, Beechwood scored on back-to-back-to-back (you get the gist) drives, dominating Martin County 44-7.
Down in Louisville, Newport had an amazing pass to help them lead Kentucky Country Day 12-7, but KCD was able to win it 14-12.
