Cincinnati Week 1 Game of the Week: St. Xavier vs Lakota West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday night, the St. Xavier Bombers will play the Lakota East Firebirds in a matchup between two of the best High School Football programs in Ohio. Last year, these two teams met twice. In week 1, St. Xavier won 31 to 14 but in the 3rd round of the playoff, Lakota West was victorious 12-2. There are several very talented players from both schools. Here are five of those players to keep an eye on during the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd58c822783","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["228407"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='228407' first='Malik' last='Hartford'] is the #1 ATH and the 3rd ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  The future Ohio State Buckeye plays as a FS on defense and as a WR on offense. As a FS, he does a good job of locating the ball and shows good hands as he comes away with the interception. He then uses his good play speed to score easily for a pick six. As a WR, he lines up outside and displays good quickness as he gets off the LOS. He effectively uses his play speed to get behind CB on a vertical route while tracking the ball in the air. He displays very good hands and shows great acceleration after the catch as he scores a TD.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["380210"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='380210' first='Ben' last='Minich'] is the 2nd ranked DB and the 15th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. Ben recently committed to Notre Dame. He plays as a FS and SS. Against the run, he displays quality instincts as he quickly keys and diagnoses the play. He takes the correct angle in pursuit while displaying very  good play speed and athletic ability before delivering a nice form tackle on the RB behind the LOS for a TFL. Against the pass, he displays elite closing speed before making the tackle on larger WR preventing a gain of significant yardage.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["274821"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='274821' first='Joshua' last='Fussell'] is the number 3 DB and the 16th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. The future Northwestern Wildcat plays as a CB. Against the pass, he shows good hip fluidity as he turns and bails in zone coverage. He displays very good play speed as he stays in phase with the XWR while keeping his eye on the QB. He tracks the ball well in the air and shows good hands as he comes away with the interception. Against the run, he quickly reads run/pass and shows very athletic ability in pursuit. He squares his shoulders and exhibits good explosiveness as he brings down larger RB with ease behind the LOS for a TFL.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["189486"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='189486' first='Rob' last='Fogler'] is the 15th ranked OL and the 94th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. He plays both Tackle positions. While run blocking, he displays good lateral quickness to win the outside shoulder of the DE while reach blocking. He generates movement at the point of attack with his awesome play strength. He shows very good physical toughness as he finishes the block to the ground for a pancake. In pass pro, he sets up well with a good base and footwork while using his very good length, hand use and play strength to prevent the DE from penetrating the LOS.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["284550"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='284550' first='Ted' last='Hammond'] is the 5th ranked  DL and the 46th ranked player in the class of 2024 overall. He plays as a NT. Against the pass, he is quick off the ball and generates good pressure up the middle as he uses his quality length, play strength and hand use to defeat the block from the C. He shows above average athletic ability in pursuit and finishes up nicely with a sack. Against the run, he effectively uses his play strength to overpower the C driving him into the backfield before shedding the block. He locates the ball carrier quickly before making the tackle behind the LOS for a TFL.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->