Some of the best in the area will be on display in several venues late in the summer as the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown XV takes place. This year, as in years past, marquees games will be played at Nippert Stadium and one will actually take place at the Sheakley Athletic Center (a/k/a "The Bubble", though obviously the bubble will be down).
If you're a football fan and enjoy "The Nipp" or the "Friday Night Lights" at other areas, it's worth it to attend these games. In the past, numerous Bearcats have played in this event and many point to their enjoyment of Nippert Stadium as their reason for eventually coming to UC.
Of course, not all of them do, but it's a nice event no matter who you pull for. Here's something I wrote in the recent week on the games:
CORRYVILLE In-Game Sports, the owner and operator of the Skyline Chili Crosstown
Showdown announced the 15th anniversary schedule of prep football games on May
15 at the University of Cincinnati.
The list includes 42 schools playing 21 games over a 10-day period and will
utilize several venues.
The 2012 event starts Aug. 17 at Dixie Heights High School with defending
district champion Campbell County playing Covington Catholic at 6 p.m. The
nightcap will feature Dixie Heights and defending district champ Newport Central
Catholic at 8:30.
The first Ohio game is Aug. 22 with Reading and Roger Bacon meeting at 5:30 at
Colerain High School. Following that, at 8 p.m. will be Mount Healthy and North
College Hill.
Aug. 23 will shift the games to Sycamore where Cincinnati Hills Christian
Academy and Madeira will have a rematch of their first-round playoff game. The
Eagles spoiled the Mustangs' perfect season last fall with a 16-10 victory.
After that 5:30 game, Wyoming will square off under new head coach Aaron Hancock
against Bishop Fenwick.
A new wrinkle takes place Aug. 24 at UC's Sheakley Athletics Complex, where the
Bearcats use "the bubble" during the winter months. Finneytown and Northwest
will have a 7 p.m. kick-off at that 1,500 seat field.
The same night, Anderson and Sycamore play at 6 p.m. at Nippert.
"It'll be a real challenge for us," Sycamore coach Scott Dattilo said.
"Anderson's such a good program with great coaching. They're not too far removed
from a state championship and state runner-up (2007 and 2008)."
It's been a while since Sycamore's been in the kick-off event and the Aves are
happy to wear their green and gold on "the big field".
"When we told them we'd be playing in it, that was the first thing they asked
me, 'Are we going to be playing at UC?'," Dattilo said.
Following Anderson/Sycamore, it'll be Middletown and St. Xavier at 8:30 on Aug.
23. The Bombers advanced to the state semi's last season, while the Middies
feature Ohio State commit Jalin Marshall.
On Friday, Aug. 24, Elder gets into the mix by hosting Centerville at "The Pit"
at 7:30. Across the river, it'll be a Northern Kentucky double-header with Simon
Kenton hosting the Beechwood Tigers at 6. The late game is district champion
Cooper against the defending Division 2A champion Holy Cross.
The games return to Nippert Stadium Aug. 25, opening with Walnut Hills clashing
with Oak Hills at 3 p.m. The Eagles of George Kontsis made their Showdown debut
a year ago with a win over Wyoming. Walnut Hills eventually made their first
playoff appearance.
(Joseph Fuqua II/Cincinnati Enquirer/ Walnut Hills coach George Kontsis speaking at the Skyline Chili Crosstown Luncheon)
"I think it (the Wyoming game) was the catalyst that took us over the top,"
Kontsis said. "It really changed the culture of our program. It was a
championship program with championship coaches and we came from behind twice to
win."
Like Sycamore, Walnut Hills savors the idea of playing in a college stadium.
"That was huge motivation for our guys coming back in the offseason," Kontsis
said. "Last year, we played a great game at Colerain, but this year we're on a
big stage at Nippert Stadium. To play in that venue is really exciting."
At 5:30 on Aug. 25, Colerain takes on Ohio DI runner-up Pickerington Central.
The Final game of the day is an 8 o'clock kick-off between La Salle and Lakota
West.
However. there are more Aug. 25 games as Dayton's Welcome Stadium will host four
contests.
Hamilton and Springfield start the day at noon, followed by Northmont and
Princeton at 2:45. The third game is Wayne and Winton Woods at 5:30, with Dayton
Dunbar and Valley View wrapping things up at 8:15.
The Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown concludes at Kings High School Aug. 26 with
defending DII state champ Trotwood-Madison playing University School from Fort
Lauderdale, Florida as part of the ESPNHS Kickoff Classic. The second game
(times to be determined) involves the Gilman School from Baltimore against
seven-time Ohio state champion Moeller.
"We're excited, the team we're playing is really good and has a lot of players
committed to college," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "We're honored to
finish up the 'Crosstown'. We like being in it."
Moeller is also celebrating it's 50th year of football with special Nike
uniforms and Rodenberg hopes to give the Crusaders a taste of nostalgia while at
Kings.
"I told the guys we'll take them across the street because the scoreboard is
still there at the Hall of Fame (Galbreath Field) where Moeller used to play.
It's kind of like going back to our original roots."
Showdown tickets will be available July 1 at the participating schools. Advance
tickets to muli-game sessions will be $10.
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