The Greater Catholic League-South always lives up to the hype as some of Cincinnati’s most storied high school football programs battle out each fall.
Moeller has boasted an Ohio Mr. Football winner in two of the last three years. Last season, Elder won its first solo GCL-South title since 2008, then clashed with St. Xavier in an epic postseason showdown at Paycor Stadium.
The Bombers won that high-scoring regional final on their way to a Division I state runner-up finish. Don’t forget about La Salle, either. Despite its league struggles, the Lancers are still a Division II power coming off a regional semifinal run. Overall, the GCL-South’s four teams went a combined 40-12 last season.
Here’s a look at what’s in store in the GCL-South in 2026 with the high school football season right around the corner.
Elder
2025: 12-1, lost DI regional final
Head coach: Doug Ramsey
Returning players: QB Kaden Estep, LB Pete Fortkamp, WR Drew Wauligman, DL Jayven Hutchinson, OL Nick Cassaro, OL Bryce Lyttle, LB Andrew Paff, DL Max Doogan, LB Brody Turner, WR Chase Walpole
Outlook: Elder’s 12-0 season ended in heartbreak as the state title dream was lost after that defeat to St. Xavier at Paycor Stadium. The good news? The Panthers return seven all-league selection. It starts with Miami RedHawks commit Kaden Estep, who is entering his third season as the Panthers’ starting quarterback. Leading receiver Jackson Ruth is gone, but the returning tandem of Chase Walpole and Drew Wauligman combined for 85 catches, 992 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. Defensively, Pete Fortkamp had 81 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and three recoveries last season. He’s part of a formidable linebacking duo along with Brody Turner, who was second on the team with 90 tackles last season.
La Salle
2025: 9-4, lost DII regional semifinals
Head coach: Pat McLaughlin
Returning players: WR/DB Naseer Salaam, WR Jack McLaughlin, DB Claude Moore, OL Rahmiir Murphy, LB Haden Neff, DB K’Mahri Price, QB Garrett Fraley, K Grayson Bedacht
Outlook: La Salle has just one league win over the last five seasons, but the Lancers still won a pair of postseason games in 2025 before coming up a touchdown short to eventual DII state runner-up Anderson in the regional semifinals. La Salle graduated quarterback and leading rusher Avier Carter. Garrett Fraley is next in line at quarterback after throwing a pair of touchdowns in 2025. The offense will feature all-league selection Naseer Salaam, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry and nearly 14 yards per reception last season. Linebacker Haden Neff is the top returning tackler. He had 49 tackles (eight for a loss) as a freshman last season to go with three sacks.
Moeller
2025: 8-4, lost second round of playoffs
Head coach: Bert Bathiany
Returning players: OL Patrick O’Brien, OL Jace Montgomery, OL Kal-El Johnson, DB Marino Middleton, K Jack Mallabar, DL Caden Orr, DB Paxton Dodsworth, RB Greylo Coach, WR Reggie Watson, RB Britton Brown, LB Andrew Stofko, DB Connor Maupin, DB Jack Schuckman, OL Alex Bolar
Outlook: Despite graduating a ton of talent, Moeller is looking for another regional championship and state Final Four appearance with Division I talent on both sides of the ball once again. Matt Ponatoski’s departure leaves big shoes to fill under center, but the Moeller offense still has plenty of firepower, starting with an offensive line that features Purdue commit Patrick O’Brien, Georgia Tech commit Kalel Johnson, Toledo commit Alex Bolar and Jace Montgomery, who is a top 10 player in Ohio for the 2028 class. Moeller also returns top receiver Reggie Watson after a 72-catch, 797-yard 2025 campaign. Sophomore quarterback Hunter McLaughlin already holds offers from UC and Purdue, among others. Defensively, Andrew Stofko had 56 tackles last season and corner Paxton Dodsworth had one forced fumble and two picks.
St. Xavier
2025: 11-3, DI state runner-up
Head coach: Steve Specht
Returning players: DL Griffin Lyons, RB Aiden Graham, OL Andrew Cramerding, TE Ethan Cole, QB Aidan Newdigate, WR Logan Von Holle, DB Alex Walker, DL Josh Fasbender, DB Chad Perkins, K Owen Davidson
Outlook: After a regional runner-up finish in 2024, St. Xavier returned to the state semifinals last year for the first time since 2020. The Bombers lost 10 of their 11 all-league selections from a year ago. The lone returner is Griffin Lyons, who ranked third in the GCL-South in sacks (nine). St. Xavier will have to replace quarterback Jackson Frey but return some key pass-catchers like tight end Ethan Cole (Army commit) and Logan Von Holle. On defense, Buffalo commit Josh Fasbender anchors the interior and the secondary features Navy commit Chad Perkins.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Greater Catholic League-South high school football 2026 preview
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
