Lakota West (5-1, 4-1 GMC) at Middletown (4-2, 4-1)
One of the biggest GMC games of Week 7 features two teams tied for second behind unbeaten Princeton. Lakota West rebounded from its 27-24 loss to Princeton by routing Fairfield 38-7, while Middletown has won four straight after an 0-2 start, including a 41-0 victory over Sycamore. Firebirds senior Kenyon Norman has been one of Southwest Ohio’s most productive backs with 1,036 yards and 16 touchdowns. West leads the GMC at 395.4 yards per conference game. Middletown and Lakota West each have allowed just 69 points through five GMC games.
Lakota East (4-2, 3-2 GMC) at Fairfield (2-4, 1-4)
Lakota East looks to bounce back after Princeton snapped its three-game winning streak with a 48-22 victory. The Thunderhawks continue to get big numbers from junior quarterback Nile Knutson, who has completed 115 of 168 passes for 1,422 yards and 16 touchdowns. Braxton Thurman has 541 receiving yards, while Carter Jones has 440 yards and five touchdown catches. Fairfield has dropped four of five since opening with a victory over Wayne and is coming off a 38-7 loss at Lakota West.
Oak Hills (3-3, 2-3 GMC) at Hamilton (1-5, 1-4)
Oak Hills tries to get back above .500 after a 47-31 loss to Colerain, while Hamilton looks to halt a three-game skid following a 40-3 loss at Mason. Highlanders receiver Cordell Ball leads the GMC with 715 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 45 catches. Oak Hills has been productive through the air, averaging 237.4 passing yards in GMC play, while Hamilton has struggled offensively at 158.4 total yards per conference game.
Mason (2-4, 2-3 GMC) at Princeton (6-0, 5-0)
Princeton puts its perfect record and outright GMC lead on the line against a Mason team coming off its most convincing performance of the season, a 40-3 win over Hamilton. The Vikings are averaging a conference-best 41.6 points. Mason quarterback Alex Nagel has rushed for 723 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Princeton’s Jordan Hall has 496 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Beavercreek (4-2, 2-1 GWOC) at Springboro (3-3, 1-2)
Beavercreek carries some momentum into Springboro after knocking off Centerville 21-20. The Beavers’ two losses have come against Harrison and Miamisburg. Springboro, which opened the year with a 33-0 win over Mason, enters at .500. The Panthers’ offense features Central Michigan quarterback commit Max Miller and standout receiver Noah Bilinski.
Milford (1-5, 1-4 ECC) at Lebanon (5-1, 4-1)
Lebanon remains in the ECC championship chase after an impressive 35-24 road victory over Kings. Quarterback Mason Reed threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 80 yards and another score in that win. Logan Schmenk ranks second in the ECC with 809 rushing yards and has scored 13 touchdowns. Milford has lost four straight, but quarterback Aiden Wehrum has thrown for 1,497 yards and 18 touchdowns against just one interception.
Little Miami (3-3, 2-3 ECC) at Kings (3-3, 2-3)
Two teams trying to reverse two-game losing streaks meet at Kings. Little Miami has dropped close games to Lebanon and Winton Woods in consecutive weeks, including a 14-7 setback to Winton Woods. Kings fell 35-24 to Lebanon despite Jack Sills throwing for 347 yards in the loss. Sills has 914 passing yards this season, while Little Miami quarterback Brayden Brown has thrown for 918 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kings running back Oliver Young has 662 yards and 10 scores.
Mount Healthy (2-4) at Harrison (5-1)
Harrison begins Southwest Ohio Conference play after suffering its first loss, 24-21 to East Central. The Wildcats led that game 21-7 before East Central scored the final 17 points. Harrison’s résumé includes wins over Milford, McNicholas, Beavercreek, Withrow and Ross. Mount Healthy has lost two straight, falling 28-0 to Fenwick and 40-20 to Northwest after consecutive victories over Wilmington and Taft.
Talawanda (5-1) at Northwest (6-0)
A week ago this matchup was headed toward a showdown of unbeatens. Ross changed that by handing Talawanda its first loss, 14-7. The Brave had outscored their first five opponents 197-12 with three consecutive shutouts before running into the Rams. Northwest remains perfect after a 40-20 victory over Mount Healthy and opens SWOC play at 1-0. For Talawanda, the question is how quickly it responds after its first setback of the season.
Edgewood (3-3, 0-1 SWBL Southwestern) at Ross (2-4)
A longtime Butler County rivalry adds another chapter as Ross enters with renewed confidence. The Rams stunned previously unbeaten Talawanda 14-7 behind two Parker Jackson touchdown runs and a defense that delivered a fourth-quarter goal-line stand. Edgewood had won three of four before running into unbeaten Bellbrook, which pulled away for a 27-6 victory. With both teams leaning heavily on physical football and the running game, possessions could be at a premium.
Badin (5-1, 1-0 GCL-Coed) at Fenwick (3-3, 0-1)
Badin has dominated this series recently, winning six straight meetings by a combined 194-41, including 41-13 last season. The Rams bounced back from their lone loss to La Salle by beating Chaminade Julienne 34-7 and take a 5-1 record into Fenwick’s Homecoming game. Fenwick has been difficult to figure out, owning victories over Monroe, Franklin and Mount Healthy but losses to CHCA, Edgewood and Alter. Badin leads the all-time series 23-9.
Monroe (4-2) at Eaton (3-3)
Monroe takes a three-game winning streak to Eaton after surviving Franklin 45-36 in its SWBL opener. The Hornets have scored 228 points through six games and have turned their season around after starting 1-2. Eaton also comes in off a victory, rolling past Madison 41-7. This is a crossover game between the SWBL’s Southwestern and Buckeye divisions.
Franklin (0-6, 0-1 SWBL Southwestern) at Bellbrook (6-0, 1-0)
Two teams on opposite ends of the standings meet at Bellbrook. The Golden Eagles have been one of Southwest Ohio’s most consistent teams, beating Tippecanoe, Bellefontaine, Valley View, Chaminade Julienne, Alter and Edgewood. They have allowed just 51 points all season and are coming off a 27-6 win at Edgewood. Franklin remains winless but produced a season-high 36 points in last week’s 45-36 loss to Monroe.
Waynesville (5-1, 1-1 SWBL Buckeye) at Carlisle (3-3, 0-2)
Waynesville has won five of six, with its lone setback coming in a 56-28 loss to Oakwood. The Spartans bounced back last week with a 42-14 victory over Dayton Christian. Carlisle came within a field goal of Brookville last week before falling 38-35 and has alternated wins and losses throughout much of the season. The Indians are looking for their first Buckeye Division victory.
Valley View (4-2, 3-0 SWBL Buckeye) at Madison (0-6, 0-2)
Valley View has seized control of the Buckeye Division with three straight conference wins and is coming off a 34-14 victory over Oakwood. The Spartans have outscored their first three league opponents 125-21, including a 42-0 win over Carlisle and 49-7 victory over Eaton. Madison is still searching for its first win after falling 41-7 to Eaton.
New Miami (0-6) at Purcell Marian (3-3)
New Miami continues to search for its first victory after a 26-0 loss to Cincinnati Country Day. The Vikings have been shut out in each of their first six games, with sophomore Karter Johnson leading the ground game at 66.5 rushing yards per game. Purcell Marian evened its record at 3-3 by edging Rock Hill 8-7 last week and has also beaten Thurgood Marshall and Meadowdale. This is New Miami’s final tuneup before beginning Miami Valley Conference play.
