It doesn't get bigger in Cincinnati high school football than Elder against St. Xavier.
And as far as that matchup goes, you can't have it any later in the season than a regional final. Friday night will feature the powerhouses playing for a spot in the state final four.
The scope of it has fans of both teams and in the Cincy area in general calling for a better venue.
The OHSAA chose Mason High School to host the game, which isn't even in Hamilton County where these two schools are located but rather nearby Warren County.
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Regional finals in this part of the state used to be play at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium, but that doesn't happen anymore.
Fans have gone for the biggest goal of all: They want it played at the Bengals' Paycor Stadium.
One big advocate for the move is ESPN's Rocky Boiman, who played at St. X:
Dear @OHSAASports...the St.X @StXFB v Elder @ehsports playoff game deserves a bigger venue, folks I've talked to at the Bengals and Hamilton County are on board to put it at Paycor....give the fans the opportunity to witness this epic game. Lots more money made. Everybody wins!
— Rocky Boiman (@ROCKYBOIMAN50) November 17, 2025
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The public pressure puts the OHSAA in a tough spot.
It's not easy to get host sites this time of year. The finances aren't necessarily in the host's favor, and teams still alive in the playoffs aren't going to host on the same Friday night their team is playing.
Given the need to line up stadium workers, the one-week turnaround is tough, too, and making a change would have to happen soon to have any chance of getting the right people in place in time for a huge event.
The Mason stadium seats about 6,000. Paycor seats 65,000.
There was also frustration from fans that tickets for the likely to sell out event went on sale at 12 noon on Monday, not a conducive time for those in schools to rush online and buy them.
Regardless of venue, this has the potential to be one of the games of the year. These teams haven't played in a regional final since 2001.
Now they just need the best stage they can get.
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