article Louisville Power Rankings - September 27, 2019

1. Male (4-0): The Bulldogs pulled off a hard-fought win over rival Trinity in Week 5. Male has passed two early tests in the 2019 high school football season, defeating both Trinity and St. Xavier. Through its first four games, Male has outscored opponents 158-58.

Next up for Chris Wolfe-coached Male is a home game versus Butler on Friday night.

2. Trinity (4-1): The Shamrocks were limited to 223 yards of total offense in the heartbreaking double overtime loss to Male. Trinity visited rival Male for its first game against an in-state opponent in Week 5. Through five games for the Shamrocks, quarterback Nathan McElroy has completed 71 of 108 passes for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing three interceptions.

Trinity is due to face nemesis St. Xavier on a neutral field at Cardinal Stadium Friday night.

3. St. Xavier (4-1): The Tigers remained in the win column in Week 5, doubling up host Bowling Green 28-14. Quarterback Douglas Bodhaine led St. Xavier to the win, completing 20 of 29 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. Leading St. Xavier on the ground, Logan Davis rushed 21 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

St. Xavier owns momentum heading into the annual matchup versus Trinity.

4. North Hardin (5-0): Off to one of the best starts in the state, North Hardin dominated rival John Hardin 42-7 in Week 5. Quarterback Manie Wimberly led North Hardin, completing 20 of 26 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception. Lavell Wright ranked as North Hardin's leading receiver and rusher with 300 total yards. On the ground, Wright rushed 16 times for 172 yards and four touchdowns. The Trojans are slated to host Bullitt East on Friday night.

5. DeSales (2-2): Without a doubt the best 2-2 team in the state, DeSales topped visiting Cooper 40-7 in Week 5. Quarterback DeMarcus Avery and running back James Johnson combined to lead DeSales to the victory over Cooper. After returning to the win column, DeSales is set to host Henry County on Friday night.

6. Manual (3-1): The Crimsons were open in Week 5. Quarterback Zach Recktenwald has completed 26 of 44 passes for 394 yards and five touchdowns while throwing only one interception in Manual's first four games. Manual is poised to entertain North Bullitt on Friday night.

7. Central Hardin (4-0): Remaining undefeated in Week 5, Central Hardin outlasted Elizabethtown 57-40. Quarterback Chase Elmore led the Bruins to the victory, passing for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns. Following its fourth straight win, Central Hardin is set to host Henry Clay on Friday night.

8. South Oldham (4-1): Continuing to dominate, South Oldham shut out rival Oldham County 49-0 in Week 5. Nearly perfect through the air, quarterback Anthony Pierce completed seven of eight passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in the Dragons' win. Through five games, South Oldham has outscored opponents 188-13. The Dragons are headed into a matchup versus visiting Jeffersontown on Friday night.

9. Ballard (2-3): The Bruins' record is deceiving. Following an upset loss to Fern Creek, Ballard ended the first half of the 2019 high school football regular-season 2-3. Still, Ballard is among the Top 10 high school football teams in Louisville. The Bruins are prepared to visit George Rogers Clark on Friday night.

10. Butler (3-2): The Bears continued to win in Week 5, defeating host Doss 37-6. Quarterback Kenyon Goodin led Butler to the victory, completing 14 of 20 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns while throwing one interception. After notching three straight wins, Butler will have the tough task of visiting Male on Friday night.

Big Risers

1. Fern Creek (3-2): The Tigers pulled off an impressive win in Week 5, upsetting Ballard 15-12. Terrance Mitchell and Herve Blode rushed for one touchdown apiece as part of Fern Creek's victory. Fern Creek is due to host Eastern on Friday night.

2. Waggener (4-1): Much-improved Waggener leveled Jeffersontown 46-7 for its fourth straight win. Offensively for the Wildcats, quarterback Alijah Sickles passed for two touchdowns and Jamikel James and Desrick Allen rushed for one TD apiece in the victory. Waggener is due to host North Oldham on Friday night.

Big Droppers

1. Christian Academy of Louisville (3-2): Reigning state champion Christian Academy-Louisville suffered its second straight loss as Class 4A frontrunner Boyle County pulled away to win 71-28. Following the lopsided loss, Christian Academy-Louisville will have an opportunity to return to the win column at home in a game versus Mercer County on Friday night.

2. Central (1-4): Another reigning state champion, Central suffered its third straight loss as South Warren prevailed 22-8 in Week 5. However, Central has shown improvement and will be looking to claim a victory on the road at Meade County Friday night.

Last Week's Game of the Week

Defending Class 6A champion Male persevered in Week 5, knocking off rival Trinity, the state's top-ranked team, 20-17 in double overtime.

Quarterback Elijah Parish continued to lead the Bulldogs, completing nine of 17 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Izayah Cummings, Parish's favorite target, hauled in six receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Linebacker Joe Kuerzi led Male defensively, recording 10 solo tackles.

Limited offensively in the loss, Trinity quarterback Nathan McElroy completed 10 of 15 passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception.

Armon Tucker led the Shamrocks on the ground, rushing 27 times for 108 yards.

Player of the Week

Chase Elmore, Central Hardin, Sr., QB/DB

Senior quarterback/defensive back Chase Elmore completed 15 of 18 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns to lead Central Hardin over visiting Elizabethtown 57-40 in Week 5. Defensively, Elmore recorded nine tackles.

Game of the Week

St. Xavier vs. Trinity

St. Xavier is looking to pull of an upset and notch its third straight win.

Trinity is looking to return to the win column following a double-overtime loss to Male.

The stage is set for the annual gridiron showdown between the Tigers and Shamrocks.

St. Xavier notched a win over Trinity in 2018, prevailing 21-7 when the two teams met for a regular-season matchup.

Kickoff for the St. Xavier-Trinity game is set for 8 p.m. on Friday night.

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