For the first time in nearly two years, a high school football game will take place at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

As they did in 2018 and 2019, Moeller High School will get to use the "Nipp" to host a Greater Catholic League-South game. This year, defending Ohio Division I champion St. Xavier will be the opponent, just as they were Sept. 27, 2019.

Adding to the intrigue, St. Xavier has been voted No. 1 in the first Ohio state media poll, while Moeller gets the nod in the OHSAA computer rankings for Division I, Region 4, with St. Xavier close behind. Both teams are 4-0.

"You can throw polls away," St. Xavier coach Steve Specht said. "I laugh when people talk about polls. I just refer back to 2016 when we were 5-5 and we ended up winning a state championship."Moeller coach Mark Elder had similar thoughts on the hype."That means absolutely nothing in week five," he said. "

This is a great game for us and obviously the better both teams are the more you think fans are going to want to come out and watch it. All it matters is where you are at the end of the year, but (rankings) helps get a memorable environment for the kids, it's awesome."

In their previous meeting at Nippert in 2019, St. Xavier came in undefeated while Moeller was struggling through what would be a 2-8 season. However, midway through the second quarter, the Crusaders had a 24-12 lead.

Before the half ended, the Bombers added two touchdowns for a 27-24 lead. With no scoring in the second half, the Bombers sneaked away with the three-point victory on their way to a 9-3 season.

The Bombers will bring in senior quarterback Brogan McCaughey, who really has only played in 2.5 games of their four thanks to large leads. He still leads the league in passing yards and has thrown for 10 touchdowns with no interceptions.

St. Xavier's offensive line with Cameron Collins (Air Force), Brian Parker II (Duke) and tight end Max Klare (Duke) has also aided the running game, thus McCaughey's passing yards are down by design. 

Senior running back Charles Kellom and senior wideout Terrell McFarlin are also second in rushing and receiving yards despite sitting quarters. Ditto on defense with Marque Cummings having three sacks and Miami University-bound Grant Lyons with two sacks and two interceptions. 

All will likely play on a college campus with Friday serving as a preview. 

"That's a neat experience for any young guy," Specht said. "Nippert is a great venue for any kind of football. The history of that stadium is really neat and the kids having an opportunity to compete there will add to their high school experience."

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