By Ed Letsinger
MaxPreps.com
The Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown presented by Meijer/Dr. Pepper returns for the 11th straight year with a three-day, eight-game schedule that promoters call “the nation’s biggest high school football showcase.”
The event kicks off tonight at the University of Dayton’s Welcome Stadium with a doubleheader featuring Lakota East and Centerville at 5:30 p.m., followed by Lakota West meeting Huber Heights Wayne in the nightcap at 8:15 p.m.
The action moves to the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium with another doubleheader on Friday followed by a four-game card on Saturday.
The Crosstown Showdown represents the ceremonial kick off to the Ohio prep football season. Over 50 schools have participated since its inception in 1998 and this year the event has expanded to the Dayton area for the first time ever.
The following is a game-by-game capsule previewing each contest.
Lakota East vs. Centerville
Thursday, Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m.
Lakota East travels up I-75 to take on Centerville in the opening game at Welcome Stadium. The Thunderhawks are coming off of a 4-6 campaign in 2007 but return 14 starters, so things are looking up this season. Senior quarterback Evin Dusold (551 yards, 2 TDs) and wide receiver and return specialist Jared Wiley are key performers. Senior lineman Alex Riedinger and linebacker Eric Palmore-Lett are the leaders on defense. The always-tough Elks advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season before losing to eventual state champion St. Xavier 31-6.
Lakota West vs. Huber Heights Wayne
Thursday, Aug.21, 8:15 p.m.
Lakota West takes on Huber Heights Wayne in the nightcap on Thursday night at Welcome Stadium. The Firebirds finished 5-5 last season and return nine starters. Senior wide receiver Zach Wimmers and running back Rick Finley are expected to be the headliners on offense. Defensively, lineman Jake Odom anchors the team up front. Huber Heights Wayne narrowly missed the playoffs in 2007 despite posting a regular season record of 8-2.
Winton Woods vs. La Salle
Friday, Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m.
Winton Woods is being mentioned in the same breath as Anderson in terms of being the top team among the smaller-school divisions in Cincinnati. Division I La Salle is in rebuilding mode and will have its hands full.
The Division II Warriors return a majority of their team from last season, including linebackers and University of Cincinnati recruits Maalik Bomar and Chris Williams. All-FAVC first-team (Buckeye Division) players Anthony Brown (DL) and Avery Cunningham (S) also return. On offense, quarterback Dominique Brown and running back Jeremiah Goins are both 1,000-yard returning rushers.
La Salle does return a couple of standout players in linebacker Ryan Luggen (48 tackles, 52 assists) and wide receiver Eric Watson (24 catches, three TDs).
Division I programs typically experience success against smaller-school programs, but the Lancers will need a big effort to pull out a win over Winton Woods.
Colerain vs. St. Xavier
Friday, Aug. 22, 8:15 p.m.
This is a colossal season opener between two of the elite programs in Cincinnati and is the marquee game of the event. St. Xavier is the preseason No. 1 team in the area with Colerain at No. 2.
Last season the Bombers defeated the Cardinals 29-14 in the Division I, Region 4 final en route to their second state title in three years. Colerain won it all in 2004.
Eighteen is the magic number for both schools, as in 18 starters each who have to be replaced from last season as graduation hit hard.
Junior quarterback Luke Massa (1,200-plus yards in seven games) and mammoth junior offensive lineman Mathew James are the key returning players on offense for St. X. The problem at the moment is that James is out and Massa is questionable for the game because of injuries, an obvious blow to the Bombers. Seniors Patrick Muldoon and leading tackler Luke Kuechly will lead the defense.
Colerain is extremely young with a new quarterback (junior Greg Tabar) and a group of inexperienced running backs composed of sophomores and a freshmen. Senior Brandon White will help anchor the offensive line. Linebackers Colin Lozier and Tyon Dixon will be key players on defense.
Both teams enter the game with many question marks. How the new players respond to the hype and spotlight will go a long way toward who posts the win and wears the No. 1 tag in the city.
Anderson vs. Taft
Saturday, Aug. 23, 12 p.m.
Many familiar faces return for both schools in a match-up that features a couple of the more high-profile players in the area.
The defending Division II state champion Redskins are ranked No. 1 and return six starters on both sides of the ball, including standout senior quarterback Daniel Rod (2,129 yards, 17 TDs). His favorite target will likely be senior wide receiver John Runk. The defense will be led by linebacker Adam Bigelow and defensive end Joe Walla.
Taft enters the 2008 season with 15 returning starters as the Senators seek their first-ever playoff berth. Cornelius “Tank” Carradine, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end, is one of the top players in Ohio and along with linebacker Tommie McBride will lead the defense. Junior running back Abraham Johnson is an explosive runner.
This is a very good season opening contest between two schools that return many starters. Taft should be able to hang in there with the Redskins but will need the perfect game to pull an upset.
Clayton Northmont vs. Mason
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2:45 p.m.
Clayton Northmont travels to Cincinnati to take on the Comets. Northmont made the playoffs last season after a 7-3 regular season campaign but was derailed 35-0 by Colerain in the opening round. Mason struggled through a 3-7 season last year. Senior quarterbacks Patrick Koman (687 yards, 5 TDs) and Mychael Bembry (757 yards, 4 TDs) both return. Defensive end Clay Northcutt and tackle Jimmy Toth are standouts are the defensive side of the ball.
Middletown vs. Elder
Saturday, Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m.
There are whispers around the West Side that this could be the best Panthers team since the 2002 and 2003 state championship teams. Middletown could be one of the surprise teams this season.
Elder’s strength is on offense with the return of six starters, including senior wide receiver Josh Jones (32 catches, 543 yards, six TDs) and senior running back Nick Gramke (169 carries, 911 yards, 11 TDs). Up front, senior offensive linemen Austen Bujnoch and John Anevski are studs and DI recruits. Defensive back Zac Asman is a standout.
Middletown junior QB Caleb Watkins (2,045 yards) is one of the top returning signal callers in the area. Junior running back Antonio Banks rushed for 548 yards and eight TDs last season. Linebackers Aaron Lewis, Kaleob Thompson and Jared Gates lead the defense.
Elder is used to playing in big games on a big stage like the Crosstown Showdown, but Middletown and Watkins could cause problems for a relatively inexperienced Panthers’ defense.
Moeller vs. Princeton
Saturday, Aug. 23, 8:15 p.m.
This “blast from the past” game is a great season opener that seems to be getting overshadowed somewhat by the St. X-Colerain game. Both programs were dominant throughout the 1970s and 1980s and have storied pasts. Both enter the 2008 campaign with high expectations.
The Vikings should be explosive with the return of junior quarterback Spencer Ware (2,200 yards, 17 TDs), senior wide receiver Jeff Duckworth (62 receptions, 900 yards, seven TDs) and senior running back Chris Brown (over 500 yards rushing). Points will not be hard to come by. An experienced defense returns with senior linebacker Dwayne Woods (three INTs), senior defensive end Colton Tygrett and safety Pat Tucker.
The Crusaders return several starters, including all-league receiver Tony Harris (34 catches, 776 yards, 9 TDs), running back Patrick Blanks (392 yards) and offensive lineman Cameron Scheidler. Lineman Sean McClellan and defensive back Robbie Williford will be standouts on defense.
This game is setting up as a potential shootout with points coming fast and furious courtesy of explosive offensive attacks. The defense that steps up will be the key to victory.
Ed Letsinger is a freelance writer who covers high school sports in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky
