Friday, October 08, 1999
Cincinnati football picks
By Dave Schutte
Moeller (3-3) vs. Elder (6-0)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
• WHERE: Elder Stadium, 3900 Vincent Ave., Price Hill.
• WHAT TO WATCH: This is a pivotal game for Moeller, which was favored to win The Enquirer's Division I city title.
Coach Steve Klonne's Crusaders must win against Elder to remain in the playoff picture. This won't be an easy task before 10,000 fans at Elder Stadium even if tailback Marcus Blanks (994 yards rushing) and quarterback Brian Reisert (47-of-89 for 774 yards) are at their best.
Elder counters with bruising fullback Kyle Koester (783 yards on 121 carries) and quarterback Colin Carey (46-of-80 for 836 yards).
If Moeller expects to win, the Crusaders must play mistake-free, ignore the crowd and play with emotion the entire 48 minutes.
• PICK: Elder
McNicholas (5-1) vs. Purcell Marian (5-1)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today.
• WHERE: Norwood Stadium, Harris Avenue, Norwood.
• WHAT TO WATCH: Until McNicholas suffered a 38-7 loss to Chaminade-Julienne last week, it appeared the winner of this game would be the Greater Catholic League North Division champion.
A Purcell Marian victory will clinch at least a tie while eliminating McNicholas. A Rocket victory would create a three-way tie with the Cavaliers and the winner of tonight's game between Badin and C-J.
Since losing to Winton Woods, Purcell Marian has been steady on offense behind running backs Jeff Taylor (515 yards on 103 carries) and Justin Blackley 509 yards on 52 carries).
• PICK: Purcell Marian.
St. Xavier (5-0) vs. LaSalle (3-3)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today.
• WHERE: LaSalle Stadium, 3091 N. Bend Road, Montfort Heights.
• WHAT TO WATCH: The Bombers must guard against a letdown following an emotional 21-19 victory over Moeller last week.
Sophomore quarterback Marty Mooney has been solid since taking over as the starter for St. X. He has completed 44-of-68 passes for 606 yards and 10 TDs while Steve Sollmann averages 90 yards rushing.
Under first-year coach Jim McQuaide, LaSalle is improved, especially on the defensive side of the football. But quarterback Adam Schoenling, injured against Elder, is questionable for tonight's game.
• Pick: St. Xavier.
Kings (5-1) vs. Ross (3-2)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today.
• WHERE: Ross Stadium, 3425 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Ross.
• WHAT TO WATCH: This is a big game for both teams in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal Division race. Kings is first in the FAVC Cardinal (4-0) while Ross is fourth (2-1).
Last year, Ross played the spoilers role, upsetting Lebanon and coach Dick Ballard's team would like nothing better than knocking Kings out of first place in the league.
Ross relies on a strong running atack led by Jared Morris (450 yards) and quarterback Dustin Huff (40-of-89 for 500 yards).
• PICK: Kings.
Batavia (6-0) vs. Bethel-Tate (3-3)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today.
• WHERE: Bethel-Tate Stadium, 3101 Route 125, Bethel.
• WHAT TO WATCH: Batavia comes off a first-ever victory (21-19) over Hillsboro.
Quarterback Chris Kent has been the key, completing 45-of-75 for 795 yards and 11 TDs while rushing for 254 yards on 50 carries.
He's also the Bulldogs' punter, averaging 35 yards a kick and leads the team in tackles for losses with 20. Bethel-Tate is led by tailback Rob Phillips (618 yards rushing on 101 carries).
• PICK: Batavia
Other games
• Kettering Alter over Roger Bacon
• New Richmond over Hillsboro
• Western Brown over Williamsburg
• Dayton Carroll over Fenwick
• Springboro over Dayton Stebbins
• Edgewood over Lemon Monroe
• Talawanda over Franklin
• Turpin over Amelia
• Harrison over Anderson
• Winton Woods over Glen Este
• Mason over Northwest
• Lebanon over Goshen
• Loveland over Norwood
• CCD over Landmark Christian
• Lockland over North College Hill
• Wyoming over Deer Park
• Finneytown over Taylor
• Indian Hill over Reading
• Madeira over Mariemont
• Aiken over Taft
• Mount Healthy over Hughes
• Walnut Hills over Woodward
• Western Hills over Withrow
• Lakota East over Colerain
• Fairfield over Lima
• Lakota West over Hamilton
• Sycamore over Middletown
• Milford over Princeton
• Last Week: 2-2. Season: 106-39.
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