SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The St. Xavier football team will start its season in the national spotlight on ESPN2 Saturday night in Indiana.
"It's a shot in the arm for the kids," St. X coach Steve Specht said late last week. "When we were able to tell them about ESPN contacting us about playing - after all they've been through - what a neat experience for the kids."
The Bombers are scheduled to appear on national television on ESPN2 in their season opener at Brownsburg (Indiana) at 6 p.m. Saturday in the GEICO ESPN High School Football Kickoff.
"It’s been a roller coaster of a summer with everything go on, so we are excited for our student athletes for this great opportunity to be showcased on a national stage," St. X athletic director Brian Reinhart said. "I can’t think of a better way to kick off the 2020 season, which will always be memorable by itself. It is a privilege to not only showcase our football program, but all of St. Xavier High School."
The Bombers have made 11 consecutive playoff appearances — the longest active streak among Division I Cincinnati-area programs.
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St. X defeated visiting Brownsburg 38-17 in the 2019 season opener at Ballaban Field in what was then called the Cincy-Indy Challenge.
St. X is also scheduled to play at La Salle (Sept. 4), at Elder (Sept. 11), at Indianapolis Cathedral (Sept. 18), versus Moeller (Sept. 25) and versus Cleveland St. Ignatius (Oct. 3) in the six-game Ohio High School Athletic Association regular season.
Specht, a 1986 graduate of the school, is starting his 17th season as the Bombers head coach. He has a career record of 144-55, according to the St. X athletic department.
