Big-time rivalries and bragging rights take center stage as we reach Week 5 of the 2026 high school football season. There are many games between archrivals playing for big stakes and clashes of teams with a lot in common.
Predicting games this year are writers Brendan Connelly, Shelby Dermer, Alex Harrison, Chase Souder and James Weber, as well as assistant sports editor, Melanie Laughman.
In addition, we are now giving fans a voice in the process. Be sure to cast your vote ‒ one vote per reader ‒ on Cincinnati.com until 4 p.m. Friday for readers' choice game predictions.
Moeller (2-2) at St. Xavier (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: The latest edition of this historic Greater Catholic League-South rivalry finds both rivals looking to establish themselves not
only in the league pecking order, but as Division I playoff contenders. Elder, Lakota West and Princeton have grabbed the spotlight with their undefeated records, while Moeller and St. Xavier have played .500 ball with their usual loaded schedules. Their slates have a lot of similarities. Both teams lost to a GMC power in Week 1 (Moeller to Princeton, St. X to Lakota West), took their other loss to an out-of-state private school power, and have two lopsided wins over non-Cincinnati teams.
The teams have met in the playoffs each of the last four years. St. Xavier knocked off the Crusaders in last year’s postseason, snapping a seven-game losing streak to Moeller.
Moeller played both of its quarterbacks, Nick Monserez and Hunter McLaughlin, in last week’s win over Christ Presbyterian, and it’s uncertain how they will be used this week. Sophomore Juice Glover-Brown has emerged as a rushing force after rushing for 204 yards against Trinity and 126 last week.
The St. Xavier offense is in the hands of senior Aidan Newdigate, who has thrown for five TD passes and rushed for 446 yards and six scores in four games. Logan Von Holle is the top receiver. Quarterback play may decide this one.
Predictions: Moeller (Connelly, Weber), St. Xavier (Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder)
Lakota West (4-0) vs. Princeton (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Roettger Stadium (Lockland)
What to watch: Two programs best known for their reputations on defense have offensive talent that is off the charts as they face off in one of the biggest games of the year. This is not only for a gigantic leg up in the Greater Miami Conference race, but will have a big impact on playoff seeding and potential byes in Division I.
Both teams started the season by beating Greater Catholic League-South opponents and have rolled through three league games. They both allow 11 points per game overall and are the top two defenses in the GMC in yards allowed per game, both conceding under 200 a contest.
Lakota West brings standout running back Kenyon Norman and QB Jackson Smith to face the Vikings' defense, against Princeton QB Monsanna Torbert, running back Jordan Hall and receiver Lorenzo McMullen. Norman has 800 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and has run for 262, 212 and 200 in GMC play. Princeton has only allowed 164 rushing yards all season, 41 per game, and limited Norman to 50 on 23 carries last season in a 27-10 Vikings' victory.
Princeton’s offensive stars don’t have imposing individual numbers, but are all Division I college talents capable of breaking a big play for a touchdown at any moment. Torbert has thrown for 595 yards and seven touchdowns. Hall has only 273 total yards on the ground, but is averaging seven yards per carry with nine touchdowns and also has two receiving scores. McMullen has three receiving TDs.
Princeton has won the last three in the series, including that 27-10 victory last season in West Chester.
Predictions: Lakota West (Dermer, Harrison), Princeton (Connelly, Laughman, Souder, Weber).
Middletown (2-2) at Colerain (2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: Two resurgent programs will fight to stay in the GMC race. Both are 2-1 in league play with big losses to Princeton and close wins over Fairfield. Middletown edged Oak Hills last week, 21-14, and Colerain blitzed Hamilton, 41-7. Both teams lost to the GCL-South in Week 1.
Middletown has won four straight in the series, including 31-0 last year. Middletown’s offense has struggled all season, and will hope to hold down the Colerain offense led by QB Roman Garr, who has thrown for 1,172 yards and 10 touchdowns. Middletown has allowed only 166 passing yards per game and will need a performance like that against the Cardinals in what should be a close game.
Predictions: Colerain (Connelly, Laughman, Weber), Middletown (Dermer, Harrison, Souder)
Kings (3-1) at Anderson (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: These rivals have had some epic battles in recent years, with the Knights winning two high-scoring clashes in 2022 for their last wins over the Raptors.
The Knights will try to slow down the Raptors’ high-powered passing attack and stay in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference race. Kings has lost 35-0 to Winton Woods but has had dominant wins in league play over Loveland and West Clermont. Oliver Young and Jaden Hornbeck lead a Knights' rushing attack averaging 212 yards per game. Kings has allowed 135 yards per game in the air and will be tasked with slowing down the Raptors, who have outscored their three league foes by an average of 58-15. Anderson has won 27 league games in a row in the regular season.
Predictions: Anderson (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber).
Little Miami (3-1) at Lebanon (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: These schools off Interstate 71 less than 10 miles apart have been in the same league since 2020. Lebanon has won all six meetings between them as ECC foes, with the closest being by 17 points last year, 49-32. Little Miami snapped a three-game losing streak to Turpin this season, bolstering hopes they can do the same against the Warriors.
The Little Miami Panthers have been a big story so far this season. They are seeking their first winning season since 2019 when they were 8-3 and in the Southwest Ohio Conference. They have not won more than four games in a season since joining the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. They, like Lebanon, are 2-1 in league play with the loss a lopsided one to Anderson.
Little Miami will have to slow down Lebanon star rusher Logan Schmenk, who has rushed for 663 yards and nine touchdowns. He never got a chance to make an impact against Anderson, rushing for 19 yards, but has gone for over 200 yards in both ECC wins. Little Miami has limited its opponents to 100 and 87 yards on the ground in its two league wins, and the key is whether the Panthers can keep Schmenk in check.
Predictions: Lebanon (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber).
La Salle (2-2) at Badin (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: Sometimes it doesn't matter how many players Badin graduates. The Rams will still roll through the regular season. They're 4-0 and have won every game by at least 24 points.
Meanwhile, La Salle is looking to turn things around after losses in very different fashions to Fairmont and Elder. In two victories to open the season, the Lancers found success in running the ball by committee. Garrett Fraley, Aiden Arnold, Jordan Lowe, Tommie McBride and Zach McAllister all made significant contributions to the ground game.
For Badin, Jimmy Gajewski and Davis Martin have both completed over 70 percent of their passes while Chase Even had 430 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Cooper Clay has been one of the more dangerous kick returners in the city, averaging 56.3 yards per attempt, including a touchdown return against Bishop Hartley.
Predictions: Badin (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)
Indian Hill (2-2) at Mariemont (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: For the first time in 2023, Mariemont finds itself with a better record than Indian Hill as the two enter their typical early-season clash.
The Warriors opened their Cincinnati Hills League slate with their first win over Taylor since 2021. While Mariemont outgained the Yellowjackets 213 to 199, the defense forced three turnovers, continuing a theme of grabbing multiple takeaways in each of its three wins so far. Those turnovers have played a crucial role in giving Mariemont a short field as the offense is averaging 239 yards per game so far.
Indian Hill should be fully recovered from the best game of the season in Southwest Ohio so far, a triple-overtime loss to Wyoming that could decide the CHL race. Wyoming ran for 237 yards, but Braves quarterback Devlan Daniel outdid that on his own, finishing with 252 yards on the ground and four touchdowns.
Ball security will be paramount in this game as Indian Hill has committed just one turnover on the season while Mariemont has six giveaways.
Predictions: Indian Hill (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)
Goshen (4-0) at Blanchester (2-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: Goshen, one of the upstart teams in Greater Cincinnati this season, is 4-0 for the first time since 2017. While Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference divisional play begins next week, both the Warriors and Wildcats are playing their second cross-divisional opponent of the season.
Brody Flynn, Camden Telinda, Ryder Barrial and Jomar Berg lead a Goshen defense that has allowed just 6.5 points per game. While it has only recorded three sacks, it has 13 turnovers, including nine fumble recoveries. The offense is putting up dominant numbers as well. With his status unclear for this game, recently injured Gage Croley is fourth in the SBAAC with 367 rushing yards, while Berg has 260 receiving yards, just less than half of Caden Slusher's passing total.
Blanchester is coming off a loss to Clinton-Massie, where Brayden Behymer threw two interceptions; all of his interceptions have come in the Wildcats' two losses. Blanchester also gave up 367 rushing yards, which isn't surprising given the Falcons' affinity for running the ball. Only two Wildcats have recorded a sack and three different players have an interception. Stopping the Warriors' offense will be a point of emphasis.
Predictions: Goshen (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)
Campbell County (2-2) at Lloyd Memorial (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: Rebounding after tough losses to Highlands and Cooper could be a tall task as Campbell County travels to Erlanger to face the undefeated Juggernauts.
The Camels allowed Cooper in Week 3 to rush for 267 yards, a number that could spell trouble against a Lloyd front averaging 235 rushing yards per game. Colten Barger, Avery Carter and Lincoln Tomlinson have already eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the season.
While the Juggernauts' scoring defense has dipped in the last two weeks, they have still won comfortably, thanks to an ever-vaunted offense.
Campbell County will look to head into its bye week on a high note while Lloyd can move to 5-0 for the third time in the last four seasons.
Predictions: Lloyd Memorial (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)
Beechwood (3-0) at Covington Catholic (3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18
What to watch: One of the top rivalries in Northern Kentucky returns with the Colonels and Tigers both flying high.
This will be a real measuring stick for CovCath, which averaged 49 points in its wins, but those wins came against teams with a combined record of 3-9.
Quarterback Dylan Courtney's confidence and accuracy have grown as the season has progressed, and Kiyan Miller has two 100-yard rushing performances. Both players will be tested against a Beechwood defense that has allowed just 153 yards per game and three total points in three games.
As it usually is with Beechwood, the featured matchup to watch is the receiving corps of Tyler Fryman, Caleb Arrasmith and Nate Pabst. This week, they will challenge CovCath's secondary of Jason Fedor, Grant Reardon and Jamir Kirtley.
Here's a fun fact: Noel Rash's teams are 2-8 against the Colonels in seasons when the Tigers have gone on to win the state championship. (Those two wins came in 2008 and 2021).
Predictions: Beechwood (Connelly, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber), Covington Catholic (Dermer)
2026 season records
Chase Souder 35-5 (8-2 last week)
Alex Harrison 34-6 (8-2)
Melanie Laughman 34-6 (8-2)
Brendan Connelly 33-7 (9-1)
James Weber 33-7 (7-3)
Shelby Dermer 32-8 (6-4)
Readers 23-7 (8-2)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Predicting top 10 football games in Week 5, with reader input
