Get ready, football fans! The highly anticipated Division I, Region 4 final between Elder and St. Xavier is making a major move, and it's set to be an unforgettable event. Originally slated for Mason, this epic showdown is now heading to Paycor Stadium, the home of the Cincinnati Bengals!
This Friday, the undefeated Elder Panthers (12-0) will clash with the St. Xavier Bombers (9-2) in what promises to be an electrifying game. The shift to Paycor Stadium is a game-changer, offering a much larger venue for fans to witness this historic matchup.
Initially, the game was scheduled to be played at Dwire Field at Tri-Health/Beacon Stadium, with a seating capacity of only 7,000. Tickets for the game at Mason sold out online in a mere hour on Monday afternoon, highlighting the incredible demand for this contest.
"This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for so many of the young men who take the field Friday night," said Hamilton County Commission President Denise Driehaus. "Paycor is a publicly owned stadium – it only makes sense that the public should be able to access it for big events like Elder versus St. X.”
This marks the first time since the 2018 season opener that Paycor Stadium will host a high school football game, when St. Xavier defeated Lakota West 34-0. This decision was a key point in recent lease negotiations between Hamilton County and the Bengals.
Friday's game marks the 110th meeting between Elder and St. Xavier, with St. X leading the postseason series 4-3. Elder, achieving a perfect 12-0 record for the first time in program history, previously defeated St. X 23-13 on September 26th. In the regional semi-final, Elder pulled off an impressive comeback, overcoming a 23-point deficit to defeat Princeton.
St. X secured their spot in the final by defeating Moeller 17-13 in a regional semifinal, ending a seven-game losing streak against Moeller. The last time these two teams met in the postseason was November 5, 2021, with St. X winning 42-7. This regional final is the first time Elder and St. X have met at this stage since 2001, a season where St. X went on to be a state runner-up.
Tickets for the game will be available on the OHSAA's website at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The move to Paycor Stadium will allow for the sale of 20,000 tickets, with all previously purchased tickets for Mason still valid. The regional champion will advance to the state semifinal on November 28th, with the Division I state final scheduled for December 5th at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
What are your predictions for this epic clash? Will Elder maintain their perfect season, or will St. Xavier continue their postseason dominance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
