Week two of the 2026 high school football season brought a shake‑up to the Blitz 5 Top 25 rankings, a weekly poll presented by TriStateFootball.com that tracks the performance of Greater Cincinnati’s programs. Princeton reclaimed the No. 1 spot after a 31‑24 victory over longtime powerhouse Moeller, ending a 19‑game losing streak to the rival that stretched back 35 years.
Key Rankings and Recent Results
Princeton (1‑0) surged to the top after knocking off Moeller, which fell to 0‑1. Elder (1‑0) moved to No. 2 following a dominant 35‑3 win over Middletown. Lakota West (1‑0) claimed No. 3 after a 20‑7 triumph over St. Xavier, while Moeller dropped to No. 4.
St. Xavier (0‑1) and Lakota East (1‑0) round out the top five, with Lakota East posting a 41‑14 victory over Centerville. Middletown, Anderson, and Winton Woods each sit at 0‑1 after opening losses, while Withrow (1‑0) and Fairfield (1‑0) remain unbeaten.
Upcoming Conference Battles
The Greater Miami Conference (GMC) will be in the spotlight this weekend. Princeton travels to #7 Middletown on August 28, while #3 Lakota West hosts #6 Lakota East. #11 Fairfield welcomes #19 Oak Hills, and #24 Hamilton visits #16 Colerain. These matchups will test whether the early‑season rankings hold as teams settle into conference play.
Other notable contests include #2 Elder at #14 Covington Catholic, #18 Kings at #9 Winton Woods, and #25 Indian Hill traveling to #22 Beechwood. Each game offers a chance for lower‑ranked programs to climb the poll.
Statistical Highlights
- Quarterback Kaden Estep of Elder has recorded over 100 yards rushing or passing in four of his last nine outings.
- Lakota West’s running back Kenyon Norman rushed for 116 yards against St. Xavier, though the team posted a net negative rushing total.
- Withrow’s Tigers have won their last five regular‑season games by an average margin of 42.4 points.
- Oak Hills’ Highlanders have not started 2‑0 since 2022, despite a 49‑20 opening win.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, the Blitz 5 Top 25 will continue to reflect the competitive balance of Cincinnati’s high school football landscape. Parents, coaches, and alumni will be watching closely, especially as conference play determines playoff positioning and potential championship runs.
For the full weekly rankings and upcoming game schedules, visit TriStateFootball.com.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
