CINCINNATI — The Elder versus St. Xavier Division I regional semifinal Friday night has been named one of the nation’s top high school football games of the week, according to MaxPreps.
Elder (9-2) plays St. X (9-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at Mason High School’s Dwire Field at Atrium Stadium. The winner plays either Colerain (10-1) or Fairfield (10-1) in the regional final Nov. 22.
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This Friday night will be the 101st football meeting between Elder and St. Xavier. The Panthers defeated the host Bombers 31-28 Oct. 4 at Ballaban Field. Elder leads the all-time series with St. X 52-42-6.
“I figured we would see them again,” Elder coach Doug Ramsey said last week. “The first go-around we had a good game with them, and it ended up being a little bit closer than what we would’ve liked it at the end. They do a good job of throwing the ball, so we will have our hands full next week.”
Elder defeated visiting Lakota West 42-17 Nov. 8. Elder senior quarterback Matthew Luebbe – the Greater Catholic League South division co-player of the year – was 11 of 15 passing for two touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 103 yards and two scores. Senior wide receiver Evan Vollmer had four receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
St. X, the No. 1 seed in Region 4, defeated visiting Mason 48-20 at Ballaban Field Nov. 8.
St. X senior tight end Marshall Lang (Northwestern commit) had six receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Kellen Newman had 172 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
