SHARONVILLE, Ohio — Lakota West senior running back Cameron Goode was a bit worried on the sideline down the stretch of Friday night's Division I regional semifinal.

The Firebirds remembered a narrow loss to the Bombers in the 2020 regional final. This time, in the regional semifinal, history would not repeat itself.

Goode scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and junior Tyler Bohn made two field goals (32 and 38 yards) as the Firebirds defeated the Bombers 12-2 at Princeton High School.

Lakota West (11-1) plays Moeller (10-3) in a Division I regional final Nov. 19 at a neutral location to be determined later.

"We know we had to grind to get to where we are now," said Goode, who rushed for 106 yards. "And then we've got three more games and we've got to finish."

Junior quarterback Mitch Bolden rushed for 82 yards and the Firebirds led 6-0 at halftime after the field goals.

The Lakota West defense had three interceptions, two by junior Joshua Fussell. Senior Jyaire Brown had an interception in the second quarter. Junior Malik Hartford had a team-leading 10 tackles while senior Aden Miller had seven tackles. Sophomore Elijah Davis had six tackles.

"I tell you we've got something really special going on in West Chester up at Lakota West," Lakota West coach Tom Bolden said. "I'm telling you right now. In three years where we're at right now, a big statement win like this I couldn't be any more proud of these kids, this community. I mean everything."

The Firebirds lost to host St. Xavier 31-14 in the season opener Aug. 20 but these teams were much different after 12 weeks.

"We played there," Bolden said. "We just got healthier, we got better. These kids believe, this community believes. We aren't done yet obviously but it's a big step."

The Bombers completed a memorable season. St. X captured the Greater Catholic League South division title outright for a second straight season.

St. X was ranked No. 10 nationally in late September and started the season with a six-game win streak. Bombers running back Charles Kellom rushed for 121 yards and completed the season with 1,443 yards and 29 touchdowns overall, according to St. X football statistician Kelby Siler.

The Bombers had several other standouts this entire season including senior quarterback Brogan McCaughey and multiple other GCL South all-stars.

This was the third time that St. X and Lakota West played in the past 15 games.

"They played better tonight," St. X coach Steve Specht said. "They're a good football team, that defense of theirs is special, but I thought ours was too. I think our kids played hard."

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WEST CHESTER TWP., Ohio — Lakota West senior linebacker Aden Miller exemplifies what it means to be a captain for the Firebirds this season.

"I honestly think he's probably he's one of the most underrated high school football players here in Cincinnati," Lakota West coach Tom Bolden said. "He's a 5-foot-11 mike backer [middle linebacker] that if he was probably two to three inches taller he'd probably have multiple D-I scholarship offers."

Miller, a three-year starter, has a team-leading 80 tackles (44 solo) for the Firebirds (10-1) who play St. Xavier (10-2) in a Division I regional semifinal Friday night at Princeton.

Lakota West is meeting St. X for a second time this season after the Bombers won 31-14 at home in the season opener Aug. 20.

"Man, I can't wait," Miller said. "I don't even know how to put it into words. Like I'm extremely excited. It's probably the biggest game of my life considering it could be my last but I don't plan on it being my last so been up all night thinking about it."

The Firebirds don't have to say much around practice this week in order to be motivated. They know about the task ahead of them and what's at stake for the program.

St. X defeated Lakota West 10-7 in the 2020 regional final before the Bombers went on to win the Division I state title.

The Firebirds have waited for another opportunity to play St. X in the regional tournament.

"We just know we need to handle business or we're done," Miller said. "Especially on my level because I don't have that many offers so I know that this really could be my last chance of playing football so I know what I got to do."

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Miller, 17, would like to play football at an NCAA Division I or II level. He'd like to earn a degree in kinesiology or exercise science and eventually become a physical therapist.

Bolden said a college program would benefit from having Miller in its program.

Miller has improved the Lakota West program by being a student-athlete who is a leader in the classroom, weight room and football field, Bolden said.

"He does everything you ask," Bolden said. "In the weight room, in the off-season, in the weight room during the season. He is strong. I mean it's impressive what he can do in the weight room. He's explosive. He never gets hurt, he never complains. He's just that guy."

Miller said he's grateful to be a captain with some of the most talented football players in the state and the nation.

That includes All-American Bowl commitments Jyaire Brown (defensive back/wide receiver) and Tegra Tshabola (offensive lineman) — both of whom are Ohio State verbal commitments — along senior defensive back/wide receiver Alex Afari (Kentucky), senior offensive lineman Lathan McComis and senior defensive lineman Bryan Henderson (Buffalo).

The chemistry among Miller and his teammates has been significant. That coincides with a family connection within the Lakota West football program. His elder brother, 2013 graduate Adam Miller, played defensive line for the Firebirds and is an avid follower of the team.

"It's been a fun season," Aden Miller said. "Just taking it one step at a time enjoying my last year. It's meant a lot to me in my life."

NORWOOD, Ohio — The Moeller High School football team scored 28 unanswered points Friday night en route to a 35-7 win over Fairfield in a Division I, Region quarterfinal.

"Just proud of the guys," Moeller coach Mark Elder said. "We came into this season internally we had a lot of high expectations. We knew that we were capable of being a good team. We've done a good job. We just got to keep it rolling."

Moeller (9-3) advances to play Princeton (11-1) in a regional semifinal at a neutral site Nov. 12. It is the first meeting between Moeller and Princeton since Week 1 of 2008.

Princeton (11-1) defeated visiting Sycamore 37-35 Friday night. Princeton senior quarterback Mekhi Lynn threw for 208 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore TJ Engleman had four receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. Senior linebacker AJ Nunley and senior defensive back Maceo Powell had nine tackles each for the Vikings, who have won eight consecutive games.

Princeton led by 16 with 5:12 left (37-21) but the Aviators mounted a furious comeback and closed the gap to two points with 35 seconds left before Princeton sealed the win.

There was far less drama at Shea Stadium Friday night.

Moeller led 21-0 at halftime Friday night and went up 28-0 after sophomore running back Jordan Marshall scored on a 36-yard touchdown run on the third play of the third quarter.

Marshall had three touchdowns and rushed for 135 yards Friday night.

"He's been phenomenal," Elder said. "He's a really talented young man and he's the best kid in the world."

His 42-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Noah Geselbracht's screen pass helped to give the Crusaders a 21-0 lead at halftime.

"That was a huge play for us obviously because that was right before half to make that a three-score ballgame," Elder said.

Geselbracht was 12-of-18 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior wide receiver Tennel Bryant had four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Geselbracht had 168 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, junior defensive back Matthew Seliga had a team-high six tackles. Junior linebacker Joseph Ginnetti had 5.5 tackles. Senior defensive back Colin Berry and sophomore linebacker Alex French had interceptions.

Friday's Division I regional quarterfinal game between Fairfield and Moeller was be the fourth meeting between the schools and the first game in the series since 2001.

Fairfield had won four consecutive games entering Friday night. Fairfield completed the season with a 6-5 record.