High School Sports Roundup: Football Thrillers, Soccer Shutouts, and Volleyball Battles

High school sports across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana lit up the past week with nail-biting finishes, blowout victories, and standout performances that had fans buzzing. From Friday night football thrillers to soccer squads racking up goals, and volleyball powerhouses flexing their dominance, it was a jam-packed slate of action. Let’s dive into the highlights.

Friday Night Lights: Football Heart-Stoppers

Few games matched the intensity of Mount Carmel (IL) vs. Moeller. The scoreboard told the story — Mount Carmel edged Moeller 43-42 in what was easily one of the most electrifying games of the young season. Moeller’s offense was sharp, but in the end, Mount Carmel found just enough to survive in a shootout.

Meanwhile, Aiken left no doubt with a commanding 38-0 shutout over Belmont, proving their defense is just as fierce as their offense. Campbell County fans also had reason to celebrate as their squad pulled out a nail-biter, 21-19 over Southwestern, holding off a late rally to seal the deal.

🔹 Game of the Night: Mount Carmel vs. Moeller — one point made all the difference.
🔹 Defensive Statement: Aiken, pitching a clean shutout.
🔹 Clutch Factor: Campbell County holding strong in crunch time.

Boys Soccer: Goals, Goals, and More Goals

The boys’ soccer action was nothing short of a scoring parade. Badin hammered Western Brown 10-0, and it was the Questa show — he found the back of the net five times. Snellgrove and Young added two apiece, while Hall capped off the scoring. Goalie Parr earned the shutout, making sure nothing slipped past him.

Mariemont kept its perfect season alive with a 5-2 victory over McNicholas, led by Gross with two goals. Taylor also had its stars shine as Faust and Ream both netted two in a 5-2 win over South Dearborn.

Madeira refused to be outdone, blasting Greeneview 8-0. Harrison and Reed scored twice each, while Ramirez protected the net with five saves for the shutout.

Other big results:

• Finneytown 3, Purcell Marian 1 (Crawford, Henderson, and Stegman did the damage)

• Reading 3, New Richmond 2 thanks to a hat trick from Escobar

• Mason 2, Moeller 0 — a big clean sheet against a strong program

• Elder, Turpin, and Monroe also added quality results to their resume

Girls Soccer: Shutouts Galore

The girls’ side had its share of dominance too. Badin finally got rolling with a 2-0 win over Dublin Scioto, thanks to goals from Nieman and Borg. Keepers Niesen and Sakach combined for six saves to secure the clean sheet.

CHCA’s 4-1 win over Wyoming showcased offensive firepower, while Madeira kept rolling with a 3-0 win against Clermont Northeastern. Davis struck twice and Naegeli added another, with Davenport stopping two shots for the shutout.

Some of the most dramatic moments came in narrow victories. Milford edged Beavercreek 1-0 off a Cartmell strike, while Oak Hills surprised Centerville with a decisive 4-0 shutout. Indian Hill’s girls also impressed, blanking Kings 5-0.

Volleyball: Heavyweights Battle at the Net

On the volleyball court, some of the state’s biggest programs collided in a series of showcase matches.

• St. Ursula (3-0) swept Gilmour Academy in straight sets (25-19, 25-23, 25-20).

• But Gilmour bounced back, beating Ursuline Academy in three sets of their own.

• Magnificat proved to be the day’s iron team, defeating both Ursuline and St. Ursula, improving to 6-2.

Elsewhere, McNicholas stayed perfect at 6-0, rolling past Mercy McAuley in straight sets. Goshen also had a thrilling four-set victory over West Clermont, winning the final set 26-24.

Spencer Center picked up its first win of the season, sweeping North College Hill, while Roger Bacon, Harrison, Seton, and Mercy McAuley also made noise earlier in the week.

Field Hockey: Overtime Drama

Field hockey brought its share of excitement as well. Indian Hill slipped past Olentangy Liberty 4-3 in overtime, giving the home fans plenty to cheer about. It was a reminder that field hockey can deliver just as many edge-of-your-seat moments as football on a Friday night.

Midweek Recap: Soccer and More

Not all the action waited until Friday. Earlier in the week, Madeira’s boys downed La Salle 4-0, while Lakota West cruised past Hamilton not once but twice (scores of 5-0 and 4-0 in different matchups).

On the girls’ side, Harrison blanked West Clermont 4-0 behind goals from Wessling, Freel, Smith, and Neal. Mount Notre Dame pulled off a strong 2-0 win over Ursuline Academy, while Seton and St. Ursula battled to a 1-1 draw.

In volleyball, Seton stayed perfect at 7-0 after sweeping Lakota West, showing why they’re considered one of the area’s best. Roger Bacon, Clark Montessori, and Mercy McAuley also earned solid wins midweek.

Tennis and golf also had standout performances. Blanchester rolled Bethel-Tate 5-0 in tennis action, while Campbell Drum carded a stellar 35 (-1) to lead Mount Notre Dame’s golf win over Harrison.

Standout Individual Performances

Every week has its stars, and this one was no different. Here are a few that jumped out:

• Questa (Badin soccer) – 5 goals in one match. Enough said.

• Escobar (Reading soccer) – singlehandedly carried his team with a hat trick in a one-goal victory.

• Cartmell (Milford girls soccer) – clutch game-winner in a 1-0 battle.

• Campbell Drum (Mount Notre Dame golf) – medalist with an under-par round.

• Ramirez (Madeira soccer) – five saves and a shutout in a dominant win.

Why It Matters

High school sports in late August are more than just early-season results — they set the tone. Teams like Mariemont and Madeira are showing early signs of being powerhouses in soccer. Volleyball programs like Magnificat, McNicholas, and Seton are separating themselves from the pack. And football matchups like Mount Carmel vs. Moeller remind everyone why Friday night lights are so special.

The variety of sports also makes this time of year exciting. One night, you might watch a last-second touchdown. The next, you’re watching a forward net five goals, or a volleyball squad battle through four grueling sets. It’s the heartbeat of local athletics — rivalries, breakout stars, and storylines that fans will follow all season.

Quick Hits

• Madeira boys’ and girls’ soccer: Both undefeated streaks still alive.

• Seton volleyball: A perfect 7-0 to start the year.

• Indian Hill field hockey: OT winners with grit.

• Aiken football: A defense-first statement win.

• Badin soccer’s Questa: Early candidate for player of the week with his five-goal outburst.

Final Takeaway

From August 25 through August 30, the high school sports scene delivered everything — blowouts, shutouts, overtime thrillers, and unforgettable performances. Fans across the region have plenty to cheer for, and with September just around the corner, the competition is only going to heat up.

If this week was any sign, buckle up. High school sports are back in full swing, and the highlights are just getting started.