Ohio, Kentucky high school football teams look forward to the state semifinals on November 29th

CINCINNATI — Thanksgiving week represents the state semifinals for high school football teams in Ohio and Kentucky.

In Division I, Moeller (13-1) is expected to take on Centerville (11-3) in a state semifinal to be played at Princeton on Nov. 29. This will be Moeller’s fourth straight state semifinal appearance after defeating St. Xavier 28-23.

Friday night’s sold-out game at Mason (capacity 7,000) was the second meeting between the Greater Catholic League South division rivals this season. Moeller defeated host St. X 45-37 September 20. This was the first time the two teams had met in a regional final since 2014.

Moeller, Ohio’s no. 1-ranked team by MaxPreps, was no. 1 seed in Region 4 this season. St. X, ranked no. 8 nationwide by MaxPreps, is no. 6 seeds.

Region 8’s top seed, Anderson (14-0), will play Sunbury Big Walnut in a Division II semifinal Nov. 29 at a site to be determined.

Undefeated Anderson defeated La Salle No. 2 by 28-21 in a regional final in Princeton.

Anderson is ranked no. 11 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings (regardless of division), while La Salle was No. 18.

Friday 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, according to La Salle football broadcaster Jeff Bosse. The Lancers also won in a regional semifinal in 2020 and a regular-season game in 2007.

Anderson, winning its second straight regional title, now makes its fourth state Final Four appearance in program history. The Raptors were a 2023 state semifinalist, 2008 state runner-up and 2007 state champion — all in Division II.

Taft (12-2) is also headed to the state semifinals after a 26-12 win over Alter in the Division IV, Region 16 regional final in Monroe. The game was a rematch of a Week 3 game in which Taft won 36-7 over visiting Alter. It was part of the Senators’ three-game winning streak to start the season.

Taft was in its first regional final since 2021, which was Tyler Williams’ first season as head coach.

The Senators have won the first Cincinnati Public Schools regional football championship since 1992, according to CPS athletics. Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE) won the last of its three state championships in 1992 (Division IV). CAPE also won state titles in 1986 (Division III) and 1985 (Division IV).

Kentucky played its regional final on Friday night. Ryle defeated Central Hardin 43-14 for their first regional championship since 2020.

In Class 5A, Cooper dominated at home against Southwestern, advancing with a 56-15 victory. Highlands also won big, running away at the half to defeat Pulaski County 42-18.

In a rematch of last year’s Class 4A state championship, Covington Catholic defeated Boyle County 31-28.

Beechwood defeated Martin County 44-7 in Class 2A play.

Indiana was in the semi-state round Friday night. In Class 3A, Batesville lost on the road at Heritage Hills.

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