Tri-State high school football best bets: Week 6

Bring it on! The second half of the season is filled with games that will make or break teams moving forward. Once again there are some real surprises and that is what makes each fall so special.

It’s the final night of action before the calendar turns October and now more than ever it is the time to give 110 percent and make special things happen. The margin for error is as slim as ever.

Here is a look at this weekend’s Best Bets

OHIO
Moeller (4-1, 0-1) @ LaSalle (4-1) – 7:30 PM – The LaSalle offense is averaging 399 yards per game. The Lancers are very opportunistic with six total returns for touchdowns. The defense is forcing three turnovers per contest. Moeller needs to return to what they do best after last week’s loss to St. Xavier – finishing with seniors Spencer Iacovone and Keith Watkins.

St. Xavier (3-2, 1-0) @ Elder (3-2) – 7:30 PM – This week it is Elder who is in need of a signature win. St. Xavier will have to try to avoid a letdown at The Pit after beating Moeller last Friday. The Bombers are yielding 371 yards per game and have allowed opponents to convert 42 percent of their third-down attempts and 72 percent of their fourth down tries. Elder is converting 44 percent of their third-down attempts. Both teams come in tied at #11 in the latest Region 4, Harbin Ratings. Elder holds a 48-38-5 advantage in this series that started back in 1923.

Colerain (5-0, 2-0) @ Mason (3-2, 1-1) – 7:30 PM – Colerain will look to rattle Mason sophomore quarterback Rodney Hutchinson, whose confidence is riding high after a breakout performance at Hamilton last week. Colerain is #1 in the latest Harbin Ratings. The Cardinals have posted wins over Sycamore, St. Xavier and Pickerington Central. Mason’s only losses are to Springboro and Lakota West, who are a combined 10-0. The Colerain defense is giving up just 13 points per game and has forced 13 turnovers with two touchdowns. The Cardinals are holding opponents to less than 31 percent on third-down conversions. Colerain has four players who have accounted for at least 375 yards of offense.

McNicholas (4-1, 2-0) @ Chaminade-Julienne (4-1, 2-0) – 7:30 PM – Two great contrasts of styles collide in this tilt. McNicholas quarterback Austin Ernst is on fire beating his last two foes with his arm and his legs. Chaminade-Julienne is all about smash-mouth football. McNick is coming off a mentally-intense OT victory over Fenwick. The Rockets GCL mettle has been tested and conquered so far.

Beavercreek (3-2) @ Northmont (3-2) – 7:30 PM – The winner of this bout, will have a leg up on being an upper tier GWOC Central team in 2012. Both programs are still in the race for a coveted Region4 playoff spot. This will be a huge confidence booster for the victor. The Battlin’ Beavers are averaging 320 yards per game rushing and are converting 55 percent of their third-down attempts.


KENTUCKY
Campbell County (2-3) @ Simon Kenton (6-0, 1-0) – 7:00 PM – The Simon Kenton defense has done a terrific job to this point of the season. The Pioneers have allowed just 58 points the entire season and four foes have scored seven or fewer. Campbell County now gets to defend their Class 6A, District 6 title, a position they have never been in before. Something tells us that the Camels feel right at home and being under the radar.

South Oldham (5-1, 1-0) @ Grant County (3-2) – 7:30 PM – This is a big test for Grant County. The Braves have won three in a row to teams who are a combined 1-15 on the season. South Oldham has also won three straight. The Dragons have averaged 49.3 points during their streak.


INDIANA
East Central (5-1, 3-0) @ Lawrenceburg (6-0, 3-0) – 7:00 PM – The battle for first place in the EIAC heads to Neary Memorial Field. East Central has won 10 of the last 11 league crowns. Lawrenceburg has not won a conference title since 1998. East Central running back Tyler Douthit, the reigning EIAC