The fever pitch for high school football in Cincinnati is scaling new heights, as the playoff game between St. Xavier High School and Elder High School has sold out in record time. Eager fans, unsuccessful in securing a ticket, won't be stuck on the sidelines, though, with talks underway to move the game from Mason High School's stadium, which holds 6,000 seats, to Paycor Stadium, the sprawling home of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Social media was abuzz when Elder High School broke the news of the sell-out on Facebook, just a matter of hours after tickets went live on Monday, Nov. 17. The wildfire demand has since prompted Hamilton County commissioner Denise Driehaus to pitch Paycor Stadium as the new venue, she told WLWT. Meanwhile, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has not given the nod yet, leaving many in suspense.
The sold-out sign is not just due to alumni spirit, this game also marks a century-spanning rivalry, being the 110th meet-up between Elder and St. Xavier. The stakes are particularly sky-high this time around as Elder comes in undefeated, a notable achievement celebrated by their fans and feared by their foes. Mike Dyer from the WCPO highlighted that Elder's historic 12-0 record puts an extra shine on this Friday's faceoff.
General sentiment, if not desperation, to witness this gridiron clash in person, has led to suggestions to relocate the game to a bigger venue like Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati or Paycor Stadium, as reported by The Enquirer. No matter where it's played, this matchup will send the victor to the state semifinals on Nov. 28, demonstrating it's more than just a game—it's a stepping stone toward high school football glory.
While the final details of the game's location are still up in the air, what's landed solidly is the kickoff time. Regardless of the venue switch-up, fans can expect the battle for regional supremacy to commence at 7 p.m. on Friday as scheduled, setting the stage for what could be one of the most memorable high school games of the year.
