While individuals can stand out on the gridiron, sometimes a pair of players can achieve far more through the combination of their efforts than they could alone.
A pair of dominant wide receivers might stretch a defense thin, whereas two standout linebackers fortify a defense. Talent across the defensive line prevents double-teaming, while two stellar running backs keep both fresh and healthy.
The Enquirer has already broken down the 2026 high school football season by position and by class, but now we look at the top duos across Cincinnati. These players teamed up to great effect in 2025, and should only improve with another year of growth and development.
Here are some of the best dynamic duos to watch in Cincinnati high school football this season.
WR Tysin Weaver and WR Cooper Kathman, Anderson
Anderson fans are no strangers to explosive offenses, and Tysin Weaver and Cooper Kathman kept that legacy alive as juniors. The pair of wideouts finished first and second in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with over 1,000 receiving yards each, helping the Raptors put up 42.7 points per game. Weaver hauled in 91 passes for 1,375 yards and 20 touchdowns; Kathman caught 90 passes for 1,158 yards and eight scores. Their connection with returning QB Owen Scalf should only grow stronger as Anderson seeks a return to the state title game.
DB Jordan Crider and DB Cooper Clay, Badin
Badin’s defense was elite against the pass in 2025, with Krider and Clay each recording four interceptions. Crider, now a senior, had an important interception in last year’s 38-20 rivalry win over Hamilton. Clay, now a junior, returned an interception for a touchdown in a 55-6 rout of league-foe Carroll. The pair of ball-hawking backs should help the Rams defensive continuity after Badin allowed just 143 passing yard per game last season..
QB Emmett Queen and WR Tyler Fryman, Beechwood
Beechwood quarterback Emmett Queen had a special connection with his No. 1 receiver Tyler Fryman last season. Fryman accounted for nearly half of Queen’s passing yards and the majority of the touchdowns, hauling in 62 completions for 1,320 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Tigers’ passing attack led Beechwood all the way to the Kentucky Class 2A semifinals. As both Fryman and Queen prepare for their senior seasons, opponents will have to throw the kitchen sink to disrupt their combination in the passing attack.
QB Levi Guttman and WR Thomas Huckleby, Cincinnati Country Day
The Nighthawks have a pair of multi-talented returners to lead the offense in 2026. Guttman, the senior quarterback, returns after leading the team in rushing with 969 yards and eight touchdowns. Huckleby, a junior receiver, was second with 526 yards and a team-best 13 touchdowns. When the two combined through the air, it was to the tune of 881 yards and another nine scores. Cincinnati Country Day put up 33 or more points in all but two games last season, and Guttman and Huckleby will once again lead the offensive production in 2026.
QB Roman Garr and WR Desean Flag Jr., Colerain
Colerain finally snapped its 27-game losing streak last season, and with their duo of Garr and Flag Jr. coming back, there’s upside for the future. Both were just sophomores last year, but they connected for 616 yards and three touchdowns through the air, making up over 20% of the Cardinals’ total offensive production. As juniors, they’ll be at the helm as Colerain looks to continue moving in the right direction.
RB Charles Oglesby and QB Brian Ferguson, Holy Cross
It didn’t matter who the Indians had carrying last season, as both Charles Oglesby and Brian Ferguson were more than capable of gashing opponents. Oglesby, the senior running back, rushed for 832 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the Holy Cross attack. Ferguson, now a junior, pulled the ball down for 705 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. Ferguson was also highly efficient as a signal caller, passing for 19 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Holy Cross made history last season with the first undefeated regular season in its history, and the talent returning backfield will have high expectations in 2026.
WR Nathan Tucker and WR Andrew Lyman, Kings
The pair of senior receivers is back after helping Kings finish second in the ECC in 2025. Lyman was the top pass catcher with 838 yards and seven touchdowns on 45 receptions; Tucker was right behind with 48 receptions for 578 yards and two touchdowns. The duo on the edges will be the core of the reconstructed Kings’ offense in 2026.
LB Andrew Fryer and LB Judah Blair, Lakota West
The Firebirds have high expectations in 2026 and a strong defensive core is key to the hype. Fryer and Blair combined for 23 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks from the linebacker position last season. Fryer finished second on the team with 107 total tackles. Blair turned in 66 tackles and recorded an interception-return touchdown. While Lakota West returns key talent across the board, the pair of Fryer and Blair should make life especially tough for Greater Miami Conference foes.
QB Lincoln Schreiber and WR Cordell Ball, Oak Hills
There was no question of where Oak Hills quarterback Lincoln Schreiber wanted to go with the ball last season. Star WR Cordell Ball hauled in 56 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns, representing over half over Schreiber’s passing totals. As both step into their senior seasons, opposing defenses will have to game plan to slow down their connection through the air.
DL Kehyon Roberts and DE Jayvion McKinney-Cooper, Winton Woods
Thanks to Roberts on the interior and McKinney-Cooper on the edge, Winton Woods has the firepower to disrupt any offense. The pair combined for 16.5 sacks in 2025, generating three fumbles and a scoop-and-score. The senior defensive linemen should keep the Warriors’ defense stingy after allowing just 13.8 points a game last season.
More duos to watch
QB Kaden Estep and WR Chase Walpole, Elder; QB McCaffrey Halcomb and WR Hudson Kreke, Fenwick; QB Jayden McClain and WR Elijah Jones, Hamilton; QB Brady Lawhon and TE Christian Roether, Harrison; QB Nile Knutson and WR Carter Jones, Lakota East; RB Conrad and RB Tomlinson, Lloyd Memorial; DE Sean Hurry and DT Ryder Brewer, Newport; LB Terrance Jones and DL Jon Civils, Princeton; QB David Dupee and WR Brylan Miltenberger, Wyoming
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dynamic duos to watch in 2026 Cincinnati high school football
Reporting by Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
