CINCINNATI — Thanksgiving week represents the state semifinals for high school football teams in Ohio and Kentucky.

In Division I, Moeller (13-1) is expected to take on Centerville (11-3) in a state semifinal to be played at Princeton Nov. 29. This will be Moeller’s fourth consecutive state semifinals after defeating St. Xavier 28-23.

Friday night’s sold-out game at Mason (7,000 capacity) was the second meeting between the Greater Catholic League South division rivals this season. Moeller defeated host St. X 45-37 Sept. 20. This was the first time the two teams had met in a regional final since 2014.

Moeller, Ohio’s No. 1-ranked team by MaxPreps, was the No. 1 seed in Region 4 this season. St. X, ranked No. 8 statewide by MaxPreps, is the No. 6 seed.

Region 8’s top seed, Anderson (14-0), will play Sunbury Big Walnut in a Division II state semifinal Nov. 29 at a location to be determined.

Unbeaten Anderson defeated No. 2 seed La Salle 28-21 in a regional final at Princeton.

Anderson is ranked No. 11 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings (regardless of division) while La Salle was No. 18.

Friday was the fourth meeting between the two programs including the first matchup since a 2021 second-round playoff game in which the Lancers won 45-21, according to La Salle football broadcaster Jeff Bosse. The Lancers were also victorious in a 2020 regional semifinal and a 2007 regular-season game.

Anderson, winning its second straight regional title, now makes its fourth state Final Four appearance in program history. The Raptors were a 2023 state semifinalist, 2008 state runner-up and 2007 state champion — all in Division II.

Taft (12-2) is also heading to the state semifinals after a 26-12 win over Alter in the Division IV, Region 16 regional final at Monroe. The game was a rematch of a Week 3 game in which Taft won 36-7 over visiting Alter. That was part of the Senators’ three-game win streak to start the season.

Taft was in its first regional final since 2021, which was Tyler Williams’ first season as head coach.

The Senators have won the first Cincinnati Public Schools football regional championship since 1992, according to CPS athletics. Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE) won the last of its three state championships in 1992 (Division IV). CAPE also won state titles in 1986 (Division III) and 1985 (Division IV).

Kentucky played its regional finals Friday night. Ryle defeated Central Hardin 43-14, getting their first regional championship since 2020.

In Class 5A, Cooper dominated at home against Southwestern, advancing after a 56-15 win. Highlands also won big, running away at the half to defeat Pulaski County 42-18.

In a rematch of last year’s Class 4A state championship, Covington Catholic defeated Boyle County 31-28.

Beechwood defeated Martin County 44-7 in Class 2A play.

Indiana was in the semi-state round Friday night. In Class 3A, Batesville lost on the road at Heritage Hills.

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What you should watch for as No. 5 Indiana hits the road against No. 2 Ohio State in this top-five battle, with our updated prediction for the game.

Just about everything is on the line in this one, as both Big Ten rivals look to take either a major step towards College Football Playoff eligibility, or potential elimination with a loss.

Ohio State sits in third place in the Big Ten standings thanks to that 1-point loss at Oregon earlier this year and wants revenge against the Ducks in the conference championship game.

Standing in the Buckeyes’ way is an undefeated Indiana team that has won 10 games for the first time ever and playing some of the country’s most productive offense, but hoping to impress the selection committee, which is less than enthused with the Hoosiers’ 106th-ranked strength of schedule.

What can we expect as the Hoosiers take on the Buckeyes in this Big Ten clash over the weekend?

Here’s what you should watch out for as Ohio State and Indiana meet in this Week 13 college football game, with our updated prediction.

1. Battle at the line. Ohio State is down two key blockers, as left tackle Josh Simmons and center Seth McLaughlin are both out for the season with injuries. 

That’s a matchup to watch against an Indiana front seven that ranks 13th in FBS in negative plays created this season, racking up 7.3 tackles for loss per game.

For its part, Ohio State is among the best groups nationally in warding off that pressure, ranking 6th in the country surrendering just 3.4 stops behind the line per game.

2. Strength vs. strength. It’s no secret that Indiana has been putting up points this year, coming into this week ranked No. 2 in the country with 43.9 points per game, behind just Miami. That figure drops by less than a point on average when playing on the road.

But the Buckeyes have proven brilliant at preventing other teams from scoring this season, ranking No. 1 in FBS by allowing just 10.3 points from opponents, a number that falls to about a touchdown allowed on average when playing at home.

3. Get to the QB. Sure, the Hoosiers can score plenty of points, but it’s their defense that could make the bigger impact in the game, especially when generating pressure against Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, whose mobility and improvisational skills are still an open question.

That vulnerability has resulted in turnovers at times this season, as he ranks fifth among quarterbacks with 7 fumbles and has accuracy problems when forced to move in the pocket.

Howard hasn’t displayed consistent speed to get away from edge rushers, and he could have a similar issue against Indiana’s Mikail Kamara, who leads the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks.

Ohio State’s quarterback has dealt with persistent accuracy concerns when forced to move around and, given the Buckeyes’ newfound injuries on the line, that could allow Indiana to design blitzes that bring pressure through the interior and force Howard to the outside and into some hurried throws.

Most football computer models expect the Buckeyes to handle the Hoosiers in this game.

That includes the College Football Power Index, a computer prediction model that uses data points from both teams to simulate games 20,000 times and pick winners.

Ohio State is the big favorite in the game according to the index, coming out ahead in the majority 73.4 percent of the computer’s simulations of the matchup.

That leaves Indiana as the presumptive winner in the remaining 26.6 percent of sims.

How does that translate to an expected margin of victory in the game?

Ohio State is projected to be 9 points better than Indiana on the same field in both teams’ current composition, according to the model’s latest forecast.

More … Ohio State vs. Indiana prediction: What the analytics say

Ohio State is a 10.5 point favorite against Indiana, according to the lines at FanDuel Sportsbook.

FanDuel lists the total at 53.5 points for the game (Over -108, Under -112).

And it set the moneyline odds for Ohio State at -430 and for Indiana at +330 to win outright.

Three times this year, Indiana has played a game that analysts called the biggest test of its perfect season, but the Buckeyes do actually represent a marked talent discrepancy from anyone the Hoosiers have seen yet.

And while Indiana is a solid 8-2 against the spread this season, the best mark among Power Four teams, Ohio State is the first ranked team it will play, and IU is 3-9 ATS against ranked competition over the last three seasons, the third-worst record in the country.

Indiana’s worst offensive performance of the season came against Michigan, which was perhaps uncoincidentally the best defense it played to that point, and the Buckeyes are even better at bringing pressure up front and locking down throwing lanes on the back end.

The Hoosiers will get some big gainers through the air and bother Howard in the pocket, but don’t have the tacklers to contend with the variety that Ohio State can throw at them.

College Football HQ picks …

More … Ohio State vs. Indiana score prediction by expert football model

When: Sat., Nov. 23
Where: Columbus, Ohio

Time: 12 p.m. Eastern
TV: Fox network

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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State Sen. J. Kirk Schuring, the second-longest serving lawmaker in the Ohio Legislature who authored dozens of laws on issues ranging from health care to sports betting, has died. He was 72.

He never lost an election for Ohio Senate or House.

Schuring briefly served as acting speaker of the Ohio House in the spring of 2018 after Republican Cliff Rosenberger abruptly stepped down. His current role as president pro tempore gave Schuring the No. 2 leadership position in the Senate.

“Kirk was the most loyal, caring and dedicated public servant. He was a man of principle, and his wisdom was always sought,” Rosenberger said. “Kirk was the negotiator of deals and maker of compromise. He knew how to take on the hard issues that others couldn’t, doing so to better Ohioans’ lives.”

He was in his 31st year in office, which made him the second longest-serving lawmaker in either chamber. The most senior legislator happens to be another Stark Countian, state Rep. Scott Oelslager, R-North Canton, who serves the 48th district.

The pair was tied together, because they effectively traded political seats three times in the past two decades.

Ohio voters had enacted term limits in 1994 ― placing an eight-year limit on House and Senate seats ― but Schuring and Oelslager never had to leave Columbus. In 2002, 2010 and 2018, both won their respective elections, which ping-ponged each from one General Assembly chamber to the other, succeeding one another every step of the way.

Both most recently won re-election to their current seats last year ― Schuring’s term runs through 2026.

“Kirk was a statesman,” said Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima. “There is no finer member of the General Assembly or finer Ohioan who served in the halls of the Ohio Statehouse. Kirk’s heart was in Ohio, and it showed with his commitment, drive and integrity for the job the people elected him to do decade after decade.”

The only time Schuring planned to leave state politics was in 2008, when he ran for Congress.

Schuring tried for the seat long held by retiring Republican Ralph Regula. He emerged from a three-person party primary. However, he was toppled by Democrat John Boccieri in the fall, when Barack Obama won his first presidential term.

A moderate Republican, Schuring was a skilled legislator who had been tapped for heavy lifting on issues such as workers compensation funding, payday lending reforms and sports betting.

He also was a longtime member of the Ohio Retirement Study Council. The government oversight body keeps tabs on the state’s five public pension systems. He took the chairman’s post in February, but he canceled five of eight scheduled meetings, perhaps due to ongoing health issues.

From insurance guy to state politics

A Perry High graduate, Schuring married Darlene Newkirk in 1975; the couple has two children, Derrick and Kristin.

The “J,” which sometimes preceded “Kirk” through the years was the initial of his legal first name, James, same as his father. The older Schuring died of a heart attack in 1980, at age 52, in the office of the Schuring Agency insurance firm in Plain Township.

A short time later, the younger Schuring took over as president of the family’s business.

In the ensuing decade, he laid a foundation for his future political career, getting involved with a slew of civic and community causes and building a reputation as an adept fundraiser.

Schuring volunteered for Pro Football Hall of Fame festival committees; was elected president of the Canton Jaycees, Urban League and Canton Club; chaired an event to honor former Canton Mayor Stanley Cmich (at which Cmich was presented a new Buick); chaired the Vision 1 committee to revitalize downtown; and was named a trustee of Canton Tomorrow.

On the political side, Schuring co-directed the county’s Reagan/Bush presidential campaign in 1984. Eight years later, Schuring was appointed to the Stark Board of Elections, alongside Charles Brown.

Still, Schuring’s entrance to elected office didn’t come easy.

In 1993, a then 40-year-old Schuring was among three people who lobbied for appointment to a vacant Ohio House seat. Veteran Stark legislator Dave Johnson had resigned because Gov. George Voinovich named him to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

A Canton Repository commentary lamented the fact none of the three had stellar credentials. Sure, Schuring was good at fundraising but had “no apparent interest in public policy,” the piece stated.

Plus, there was an issue about Schuring’s $15,000 in delinquent state and federal income taxes.

However, after weeks of wrangling, Schuring secured the blessing of the local GOP. In April of that year, Ohio House Republicans selected him to fill Johnson’s seat.

In the three decades that followed, Schuring authored dozens of legislative initiatives on health care, economic development, and families which would become law.

Schuring’s long legislative legacy

One of his favorite causes involved creating Joint Economic Development Districts and Cooperative Economic Development Agreements. The JEDD and CEDA acronyms are now household names to many municipal and township officials across the state, who use the provisions to work together on deals that provide increased tax dollars to each.

Schuring also sponsored bills which became laws to stiffen penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders and enhance school safety zones, and he was involved in laws regarding health care, organ donation, acupuncture, nursing, and chiropractic care.

Schuring’s work earned him multiple awards, such as legislator of the year from groups ranging in purpose from the Ohio Association of Free Clinics to the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.

Along the way, he was recognized by a host of education-related groups and the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, and earned a Heritage Award for establishing Ohio’s Historic Preservation tax credit law.

And two years ago, Jackson Township trustees surprised Schuring by naming a park after him.

His current committee assignments in the 135th General Assembly were: General Government (vice chair) Rules & Reference (vice chair), Energy & Public Utilities, and Finance and Insurance.

This breaking news story will be updated.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 ortim.botos@cantonrep.com.On Twitter: @tbotosREP