Greater Cincinnati Week 6: Elder–St. Xavier and Taft–Withrow Lead Slate as Picks Diverge

Fresh OHSAA computer ratings put playoff seeding in clear focus this week.

Overview

The marquee games include Elder at St. Xavier, Taft at Withrow on Saturday, Middletown at Lakota West, and La Salle at Moeller.
Undefeated Elder, Taft and Middletown enter at 5-0 in matchups that can strengthen their seed positions under the new ratings.
Elder QB Kaden Estep has 863 passing yards and 398 rushing yards, Taft QB Monsanna Torbert is at roughly 1,212 yards with 16 TDs and no interceptions, and Middletown’s JoJo Ward and Ace Cooper headline a surprise 5-0 start.
WLWT’s best bets back St. Xavier over Elder and Withrow to upset Taft, while Cincinnati Enquirer staff largely picks Taft and splits on Elder–St. X.
Moeller is touted over La Salle behind QB Matt Ponatoski’s approximately 1,000 yards and 13 TDs, with the Lancers led by dual-threat Avier Carter.