Predicting top 10 football games in Week 2, with reader input

The first game of the season is always hard for high school football coaches to predict how their teams are going to do, much less for fans and media members.

There were definitely some surprising results in Week 1 of the 2026 season. Many coaches believe their teams make their biggest improvements from the first game to the second, so there should be some great action this weekend.

Let’s get set for Week 2 high school football by previewing the top can't-miss games. Predicting games this year are writers Brendan Connelly, Shelby Dermer, Alex Harrison, Chase Souder and James Weber, as well as assistant sports editor, Melanie Laughman.

In addition, we thought we'd give readers a voice in the process, too. Be sure to cast your vote – one vote per reader -on cincinnati.com until 4 p.m. Friday for readers' choice game predictions.

Lakota East (1-0) at Lakota West (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: The district derby rivals have met in Week 9 the last two years, but now face off to start the Greater Miami Conference campaign, with both teams having hopes of claiming the league title and beyond. The Thunderhawks snapped a six-game losing streak to the Firebirds with a 42-28 win in 2025. That was an offensive showcase with 940 combined yards of offense.

A lot of the offensive stars for both teams return, including quarterbacks Nile Knutson (East) and Jackson Smith (West). East no longer has 2025 Mr. Football finalist Ryder Hooks at running back, but compensated in Week 1 as Knutson threw for 290 yards, and new starter Brayden Auguste rushed for 63, in a 41-14 win over Centerville.

For West, Northwestern commit running back Kenyon Norman rushed for a workmanlike 116 yards and two touchdowns against a stout St. Xavier defense. West scored two early touchdowns and made them stand up for a 20-7 win. The stars on West’s talented defense had big games. Roman Combs had two interceptions and nine tackles. Reilly Newman had a pick and seven tackles. Judah Blair posted 13 tackles, seven solo. For East to win again, Knutson and the offense will need to make things happen against the Firebirds.

Prediction: Lakota West (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)

Princeton (1-0) at Middletown (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: Like the Lakotas, these teams usually meet late in the year. Last year, they met in Week 10, and the Middies snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Vikings with a 14-6 win. Princeton won the GMC title while Middletown outlasted them in the playoffs, going to the Division I state semifinals.

Both teams opened the new season against Greater Catholic League-South powers, with vastly different results. Princeton outlasted Moeller 31-24 at Paycor Stadium to snap a long losing streak to the Crusaders, while the Middies are regrouping after a 35-3 loss to Elder.

Princeton’s new-look offense did enough to win against a tough Moeller defense. Division I recruit Jordan Hall rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns, and had an 88-yard receiving TD. Princeton’s defense held Moeller to 308 yards including a key pick-six by Derrick Jeffries in the fourth quarter.

Middletown struggled against Elder. New quarterback Kolby Morgerson threw for 199 yards, but he was sacked five times and the Middies couldn’t run the ball against the Panthers. Elder QB Kaden Estep threw for four touchdowns and rushed for one against the Middies.

Prediction: Princeton (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber).

Indian Hill (1-0) at Beechwood (0-0)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: There are two interstate matchups between premier teams this week, one featuring big schools and one featuring small schools. 

The Braves put together a balanced week 1 attack in a win over Roger Bacon. Having Jacob Alexander (156 rushing yards) in the backfield frees up quarterback Devlan Daniel, while the defense pitched a shutout for three quarters. 

For the third year in a row, Beechwood opted for a bye in Week 1. It allowed the Tigers an extra week to prepare for the Braves while building anticipation for the home opener. The offense and skill positions have always been a featured part of the game plan. Noel Rash is a defensive-minded coach; will he have that side of the ball ready for Indian Hill’s multifaceted offense? 

Prediction: Beechwood (Dermer, Laughman, Souder, Weber); Indian Hill (Connelly, Harrison)

Elder (1-0) at Covington Catholic (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: The Panthers and Colonels picked up two of the more lopsided, yet impressive wins to start the 2026 season. 

Elder, while playing at home, made a statement against 2025 state semifinalist Middletown. Kaden Estep began his Mr. Football campaign with 195 passing yards, 147 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. Kings transfer Andrew Lyman had an impressive Panther debut with 145 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The defense held the Middies to 164 yards and 3-for-11 on third downs. If Elder can replicate that complete performance this Friday, their status as a league, region and state title contender will be legitimized.

Led by sophomore running back Kiyan Miller, Covington Catholic got out to a fast start against Ryle and never looked back. Head coach Eddie Eviston was proud of how many of his first-time starters handled their first game; the intensity only increases as the weeks go on. 

Elder has won all eight games in the series that dates to 2003. 

Prediction: Elder (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)

Cooper (1-0) at Highlands (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: The rivalry between the Jaguars and Bluebirds has continued even after Highlands dropped down to Class 4A. 

Cooper showed true fortitude to open a new era with a comeback to beat Christian County. Corey Freihofer featured on offense in that game, but the Jaguars will need a full team effort on the road. Can the defense carry its effort over from Week 1, when it allowed just one touchdown in the final three quarters? 

The Bluebirds entered the year high with sky-high expectations, and their 41-20 loss to Frederick Douglass was closer than the final score. They dug out of a 15-point hole before turnovers doomed them in the fourth quarter. The offensive line allowed three sacks, while Frederick Douglass ran for 228 yards, most of which came on long touchdown runs. 

Highlands leads the all-time series 8-5. 

Prediction: Highlands (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)

Kings (1-0) at Winton Woods (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: Winton Woods has won four of six games between the teams as league rivals. Kings won last year in Week 2, 16-14. The last three meetings have all been low-scoring defensive battles and this one might be the same.

Winton Woods had a tough 14-13 loss to Springfield in a battle of teams that could contend for their regional titles in Division I. Zeek Garrett rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns for the Warriors. The Warriors' defense forced two turnovers.

Kings rolled past Sycamore 34-6 in a battle of Interstate 71 rivals. Oliver Young rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights unveiled a new-look offense without multi-year starter Grant Nurre at quarterback and star receiver Andrew Lyman, who transferred to Elder. New QB Jack Sills threw for 91 yards on nine attempts.

Josiah Jones is Winton Woods’ new QB, replacing multi-year starter Bryshawn Brown. He threw for 127 yards. Both QBs were picked off twice in Week 1.

Prediction: Winton Woods (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber).

Harrison (1-0) at McNicholas (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: These teams have not met since at least 2004, and are hoping for big seasons after big wins in Week 1. Harrison was 9-4 and reached the regional semifinals in Division II and McNick was 7-5, falling to eventual Division III, Region 12 champ London by three points in the second round.

It was easy being green last week for both teams. Harrison shut down Milford, 35-0, while McNick rolled past Anderson Township derby rival Turpin, 31-10.

Harrison got a big game from senior QB Brady Lawhon, who threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns. The defense limited Milford to 99 yards, 30 on the ground. Ben Markarian had two interceptions for the Wildcats.

McNicholas allowed 210 passing yards to Turpin’s Will Schmittauer, but the Rockets rushed for 236 yards. Joseph Reuss rushed for 159 yards, and Tyler Richardson scored three TDs on the ground. McNick forced three turnovers, intercepting two passes.

Prediction: Harrison (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber).

Purcell Marian (1-0) at Wyoming (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: The teams met last season, with Wyoming rolling to a 49-16 win. 

The Cavaliers overwhelmed Thurgood Marshall, 51-0. Purcell rushed for 182 yards and new QB William Baylor threw for 96 yards and three touchdowns. Navin Heard scored three TDs.

Wyoming rolled over Ross in Week 1, 28-3, outgaining the Rams 394-94. Veteran QB David Dupee started his senior season with an outstanding game, throwing for 349 yards and four touchdowns. Brylan Miltenberger caught eight passes for 120 yards and a TD, and Donovan Brown caught three TDs among his seven receptions for 156 yards. Wyoming also forced three turnovers. The Cowboys hope to reclaim the Cincinnati Hills League title and be a factor in the Division IV playoffs.

Prediction: Wyoming (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber).

Williamsburg (0-1) at New Richmond (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: This is the fourth straight year that New Richmond has opened with Bethel-Tate and Williamsburg. The Lions lost to the Wildcats in 2023 and 2025 but won in 2024. Can the every-other-year pattern continue? 

New Richmond is coming off a big-time win over BT where Brady Young threw for 288 yards and five touchdowns, Landin Ward returned an interception for a touchdown, and the defense allowed just 174 yards. 

Williamsburg challenged itself in Week 1 against one of the top contenders in Division V, Ironton, and came away with a 42-0 loss. The Wildcats simply couldn’t move the ball against the Flying Tigers and dug themselves a deep hole with a 21-point first-quarter deficit. That’s possibly a result of nine all-conference players graduating. Now, they’ll have to regroup quickly as they face one of the league’s top offenses. 

Prediction: Williamsburg (Harrison, Weber); New Richmond (Connelly, Dermer, Laughman, Souder)

Ryle (0-1) at Conner (0-1)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28

What to watch: The Raiders and Cougars are both looking to rebound fast after similar showings in Week 1. Both teams scored six points, gave up at least 50 points, had just over 100 total yards of offense, and turned the ball over twice.

Cruze Sauley’s 62-yard touchdown reception was Ryle’s offensive highlight against Covington Catholic. Brody Smith’s timing with his receivers was off by a fraction of a second; if that can be corrected, the passing game will be a highlight of the Raiders’ offense. 

With a multitude of first-time starters on both sides of the ball, this season will be a steady learning experience for the team and head coach Chase Floyd. 

Prediction: Ryle (Connelly, Dermer, Harrison, Laughman, Souder, Weber)

2026 season records

Shelby Dermer 9-1

Alex Harrison 9-1

Melanie Laughman 9-1

Chase Souder 9-1

Brendan Connelly 8-2

James Weber 8-2

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Predicting top 10 football games in Week 2, with reader input