Week eight of the Greater Catholic League South brings a classic Cincinnati rivalry to the field. The St. Xavier Bombers, ranked No. 6 nationally, will face the No. 20 La Salle Lancers at Buddy LaRosa Field on North Bend Road. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 9.
Key Players to Watch
St. Xavier – Junior Aidan Newdigate has been the Bombers’ all‑purpose weapon. He logged 473 passing yards and five touchdowns in the first five games, added 540 rushing yards with nine scores, and caught ten passes for 91 yards in the last two outings. Junior running back Aidan Graham averages 5.5 yards per carry and has amassed 449 yards on the ground. Senior quarterback Thomas George has thrown three touchdowns in his recent two‑game stretch, posting a 121.9 passer rating.
Defensively, junior linebacker Griffin Lyons leads the GCL South with 61 tackles (eight for loss) and junior safety Graham Uran is tied for second with 60 tackles and six tackles for loss. Both have contributed 3.5 sacks combined.
La Salle – Junior quarterback Garrett Fraley is a dual‑threat, ranking third in the conference with 612 passing yards, five touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also ranks fifth in rushing with 368 yards and a score. Senior receivers Jack McLaughlin (16 catches, 261 yards, three TDs) and Tyler Roby (13 catches, 140 yards, one TD) are his primary targets.
On defense, senior linebacker Javion Presswood leads the GCL South with three interceptions, including a pick‑six, and has recorded 41 tackles. He is backed by sophomore Haden Neff (58 tackles) and fellow linebackers John Smith and Trenton Hancock, each with two sacks.
Team Trends and Season Context
Both squads have mirrored each other’s struggles. St. Xavier’s season has been a roller‑coaster, alternating wins and losses. The Bombers have scored over 30 points in each victory but have been shut out twice in four defeats. Offensively, they rank near the bottom of the GCL South, averaging 265.1 yards and 20 points per game while allowing 323.4 yards and 22.4 points defensively.
La Salle’s campaign shows a similar pattern. After a 2‑0 start, the Lancers dropped two straight, earned a signature win over No. 21 Badin in Week 5, then fell to No. 19 Withrow – the first time the Tigers have ever beaten La Salle. The Lancers rank last in the conference in both offensive production (219 yards, 19.3 points per game) and defensive allowance (353.2 yards, 24.2 points per game).
Rivalry History
The “King of the Road” rivalry stretches just 5½ miles along North Bend Road. St. Xavier leads the all‑time series 50‑17‑1, has won six straight meetings and eight of the last ten games. Last season’s contest ended with a 28‑7 Bombers victory.
Playoff Implications
The outcome could affect playoff seeding. In the OHSAA computer ratings released Sept. 29, St. Xavier sits sixth in the Division I, Region 4 rankings, while La Salle is ninth in the Division II, Region 8 list. The top twelve teams in each region advance to the postseason.
Coaching Staff
St. Xavier is led by veteran head coach Steve Specht, now in his 22nd year with a 200‑84 record at the school. La Salle’s program is guided by Pat McLaughlin, entering his ninth season and holding a 71‑48 record at La Salle.
Game Outlook
St. Xavier’s path to victory hinges on its ground game. The Bombers have averaged 202 rushing yards in their three wins, and La Salle allows the most rushing yards in the conference (183.5 per game). Expect Newdigate and Graham to dominate the line of scrimmage, opening opportunities for Thomas George’s passing attack.
La Salle will look to replicate its own winning formula: establishing the run. The Lancers averaged 174.6 rushing yards in their three victories, and St. Xavier’s run defense ranks second‑to‑last in the GCL South. If La Salle can control the ground, Fraley should have the freedom to pick his spots in the passing game.
Prediction: St. Xavier 28, La Salle 24.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
