With the Ohio high school football state championships taking place from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6, Anderson and St. Xavier have a chance to do something no Cincinnati school has accomplished in three years: winning a state title.
The Raptors take the field Dec. 4 for a Division II title rematch with Avon, and the Bombers will clash with Olentangy Orange in Division I on Dec. 5.
The last time any Cincinnati school hoisted the trophy at season’s end was in 2021, when two local schools emerged from the bracket.
In Division II, Winton Woods took home the state title to cap off a 13-3 season with a 21-10 win over Akron Hoban. After starting the year at 4-3, the Warriors went on a nine-game winning streak to end the year.
Clinton-Massie staged a stunning comeback against Youngstown Ursuline in Division IV’s final game, winning 29-28 after trailing by three touchdowns. A gutsy two-point conversion from the Falcons sealed the win with just 45 seconds left.
Both Anderson and St. Xavier are no strangers to the sport’s biggest stage. Anderson won its only state championship in 2007, but finished as runner-up in 2008 and 2024. In 2025, they’ll get a chance for revenge as they square off with Avon in Canton for the second year in a row.
St. Xavier has hoisted the trophy four times since the turn of the century, winning in 2001, 2005, 2016 and 2020 all under current head coach Steve Specht. The Bombers will look to make it a fifth championship in nine state title appearances as they take on Olentangy Orange.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Anderson, St. Xavier look to win Cincinnati’s first football title since 2021
Reporting by Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
