High School Football Week 5 Preview: Hamilton looks to get back on track against Mason

Fairfield's Dominic Back looks to pass during their football game against Middletown Friday Aug. 29, 2025 at Barnitz Stadium. Middletown won 19-2. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Fairfield's Dominic Back looks to pass during their football game against Middletown Friday Aug. 29, 2025 at Barnitz Stadium. Middletown won 19-2. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Week 5 is here and with it brings the final week of crossover division action before conference play kicks into full gear next week.

Here is a full set of preview capsules for each contest in the Journal-News coverage area:

Lakota West at Fairfield

Fairfield (2-2, 2-1 GMC) has stacked back-to-back league wins and has allowed just 28 points in three GMC games. Lakota West (2-2, 2-1) is looking to rebound after a 27–10 loss to Princeton. Expect a field-position game between defenses that have mostly kept league foes in check.

Mason at Hamilton

Mason (2-2, 2-1 GMC) has strung together two straight GMC wins. Hamilton (1-3, 1-2) has dropped two in a row and is seeking a spark at home. Turnovers and special teams could swing what profiles as a possession battle.

Lakota East at Princeton

Princeton (3-1, 3-0 GMC) has ripped off three straight league wins while yielding only a dozen points in GMC play. Lakota East (3-1, 2-1) comes in off a 31–27 win at Hamilton and has scored 115 points overall through four weeks. This is a battle between the GMC’s top two offenses.

Middletown at Sycamore

Middletown (4-0, 3-0 GMC) touts a defense that has allowed just 31 points all season — the best in the GMC. Sycamore (0-4, 0-3) is still searching for its first win and offensive rhythm in league play. If the Middies control early downs again, they’re tough to chase.

Monroe at Clinton-Massie

Clinton-Massie (3-1) has a resume that includes a 14–7 win at Coldwater and a 49–7 rout of Blanchester. Monroe (1-3) just picked up its first victory — a 35–8 win over Ponitz — and now faces a perennial D-IV contender.

Chaminade Julienne at Edgewood

CJ (0-4) has been outscored 167–14 through four weeks. Edgewood (1-3) stopped a three-game slide with a 28–14 win over Fenwick and will try to grind behind its run game at home.

Ross at Harrison

Harrison (3-1) has won three straight since a one-point season-opening loss and just rolled Western Hills 48–8. Ross (2-2) is coming off a one-score loss to Wilmington and will try to control tempo.

Brookville at Madison

The Blue Devils (4-0, 1-0 SWBL Buckeye) are unbeaten and allowing about 10 points a game. Their league opener was a 35–7 win over Waynesville. Madison (1-3, 0-0) opens conference play and looks to bounce back after falling to Dayton Christian.

Oakwood at Waynesville

Oakwood (4-0, 1-0 SWBL Buckeye) has piled up 166 points through four weeks and handled Eaton 34–7 in the league opener. Waynesville (1-3, 0-1) must slow a Lumberjacks offense that’s been efficient in the red zone.

Carlisle at Franklin

Carlisle (3-1) took its first loss last week to Valley View but has been solid defensively overall. Franklin (0-4) seeks its first win after a 35–10 setback to Talawanda. Rivalry urgency should keep this tight early.

Hamilton and Badin face off on week one of high school football Friday, Aug. 21, 2025 at Virgil M. Schwarm Stadium in Hamilton. Badin won 38-20. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Bishop Hartley at Badin

Badin (4-0) stayed perfect with a 38–21 road win over DeSales. The Rams are averaging over 40 a game. Hartley (3-1) has won two straight since Week 2 and makes a measuring-stick trip to Hamilton.

Fenwick at Mount Healthy

Fenwick (2-2) looks to rebound after falling at home against Edgewood. Mount Healthy (0-4) is still chasing its first win under the lights after a rugged nonleague slate.

Talawanda at Carroll

Talawanda (4-0) is unbeaten and coming off a 35–10 win over Franklin. Carroll (1-3) lost to Northwest and needs a quick start to keep pace with the Brave offense.

Anderson at Kings

This ECC headliner pits Anderson on the road against Kings. Anderson (4-0, 3-0 ECC) has scored 187 points (46 per game) and beat Lebanon 36–10 last week. Kings (4-0, 3-0) has allowed just 35 all season and blanked West Clermont. Strength-on-strength — it’s the Raptors’ tempo against the Knights’ defense.

Lebanon at Little Miami

Lebanon (3-1, 2-1 ECC) seeks a bounce-back after falling to Anderson. Little Miami (1-3, 1-2) is fresh off a 33–0 shutout of Walnut Hills. The Panthers’ path is to shorten the game and avoid third-and-long.

Dayton Christian at New Miami

Dayton Christian (3-1) has won three straight since Week 1 and just put up 39 at Madison. New Miami (2-2) evened its record up behind a 31–0 win at Fayetteville-Perry. The Vikings aim to make it a line-of-scrimmage game.

Springboro at Northmont

Springboro (2-2, 0-1 GWOC) dropped its league opener at Wayne and now visits a Northmont (0-4, 0-1) team that’s been shut out the last two weeks. If the Panthers steady the run defense, they’re in good shape. The Thunderbolts need explosive plays to flip the script.

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