High School Football: Regional Semifinals Set Path to State Titles
Eleven Cincinnati-area teams play Friday night, with the winner of Princeton-Moeller facing St. Xavier or Elder next week.
By Noor Graham ·
The Greater Cincinnati high school football season enters its decisive phase this week. Eleven local teams take the field Friday night for the OHSAA regional semifinals. The results will determine which squads advance to the final round.
The spotlight falls on the Division I matchup between Princeton and Moeller. Princeton enters the game with an 11-0 record. Moeller stands at 8-3. This contest marks the 50th edition of the King of the Block rivalry. The two schools met earlier in the season on Aug. 20 at Paycor Stadium. Princeton won that game 31-24.
The winner of that contest will face either St. Xavier or Elder in the regional final on Nov. 20. St. Xavier, currently 7-5, visits Elder, who is 9-2. The Bombers defeated Elder 31-29 on Sept. 25. Senior Owen Davidson kicked a 25-yard field goal before time expired to secure that win. Elder holds a 20-0 record in postseason play at The Pit. This Friday marks the 112th meeting between these Greater Catholic League South Division rivals, a series that began in 1923.
In Division II, Anderson hosts Troy. Anderson is 10-1 and has won 10 consecutive games. Troy stands at 10-2. The victor will play either Harrison or Trotwood-Madison in the Division II, Region 8 final on Nov. 20.
Action continues in neighboring states. Lawrenceburg and East Central compete for Indiana regional championships this weekend. Lawrenceburg plays Tri-West Hendricks Friday at 7 p.m. East Central hosts Heritage Hills Saturday at 4 p.m. Kentucky teams also play Friday night in the second round of their postseason.
Other local Division I through VI games are scheduled for Friday. McNicholas visits Tippecanoe, CHCA travels to London, Fenwick plays at Williamsburg, and Mechanicsburg goes to Deer Park. These contests round out the first wave of regional play for the 2026 season.
