As the 2026 regular season draws to a close, the tri‑state’s top high‑school football programs battled for crucial wins that could shape their playoff paths.
Elder vs. Highlands – A Tight Finish
Senior quarterback Kaden Estep led Cincinnati’s Elder Panthers to a 30‑27 victory over Northern Kentucky’s Highlands Bluebirds on Friday night. Estep threw for 390 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing score, bolstering his case for Ohio’s Mr. Football award. Highlands’ Bryce Armstrong responded with 220 passing yards and a touchdown, while senior receiver John Feldbruegge hauled in 168 yards on five catches. The game was decided when senior kicker Tyler Holman nailed a 30‑yard field goal as time expired.
Lakota West Dominates Colerain
Head Coach Tom Bolden guided his Lakota West Firehawks to a 48‑0 shutout of the Colerain Cardinals, a former team of Bolden’s. Senior tailback Kenyon Norman added two touchdowns to his season total, rushing for 182 yards. The defense limited Colerain to just 69 total yards, highlighted by senior linebacker Andrew Fryer with 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Moeller Keeps Momentum
The Moeller Crusaders continued their surge with a 43‑21 win over Cleveland’s St. Ignatius. Sophomore quarterback Hunter McLaughlin and sophomore tailback Juice Glover‑Brown each delivered standout performances; Glover‑Brown rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. The Crusaders’ defense also recorded a safety early in the contest.
Harrison Secures Conference Win
Harrison Wildcats defeated Talawanda 20‑7, thanks to senior tailback Wyatt Dennis who ran for 143 yards and a touchdown, and teammate Trey Fette who added 90 yards on 13 carries. The Wildcats’ physical approach set them up for favorable playoff seeding.
Other Notable Performances
- Covington Catholic sophomore tailback Kiyan Miller scored three rushing touchdowns, though the team fell 28‑20 to Indianapolis Cathedral.
- St. Xavier Bombers rebounded with a 38‑14 win over LaSalle, quarterback Thomas George throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
For a full list of scores, visit the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores. Follow @TSFootball on X for ongoing high‑school football updates.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
