Business as usual

Anyone see the game? Details?

Not surprising to me. St. X has a lot of pride.

St. Xavier pretty much dominated this one.

 

Henry Clay was missing their best offensive player, but they have a lot more issues at this earlier juncture of the season to work out.

 

St. X seems very committed to the up-tempo, spread the field offense. I am kind of surprised. Their quarterback has good size and is a nice athlete.

 

Thoughts and prayers for the St. Xavier player who was taken from the field in an ambulance.

Congrats to the Tigers.

That Pre-season scouting by the X staff of the HC v. T scrimmage paid off.

 

Earlier reports of X's demise - a bit premature.

I thought X was down this year? :idunno:

Great job X!

Anyone see the game? Details?

 

Discipline vs. lack there-of was probably a major theme. St. X was more confident and executed well. Henry Clay probably needed a couple of big plays on defense and did not get them.

 

Even with some of the skill on Henry Clay the word 'rebuilding year' was tossed around a lot on sidelines.

A quick assessment of the game:

 

St. X Offense looked much improved from the scrimmage vs. SK. They seemed to have simplified things and were willing to take what the defense gave them in the downhill run game. Ridder (the QB) looked very athletic. He is big, runs very well, and has a strong arm. He still needs to work on accuracy on the short throws, but he is a difference maker in the running game. Nice downhill runs by Rowan (the RB). Line blocked better. In all fairness, though, the jury is still out for me as to how good the Henry Clay defense is. They seemed pretty weak in the front 7 against the inside running game. Their DB's are REALLY athletic but rarely play with full effort.

 

The St. X Defense played a decent game. They gave up some yards, but they limited the big plays and played pretty good in the red zone. They forced some Henry Clay fumbles early.

 

The St. X Special Teams were pretty solid with the exception of getting a punt blocked early in the 3rd quarter. The kickoffs were in the end zone. Although they did not break off a long one, the Tigers did have a couple of 10+ yard punt returns. They comfortably made all their extra points, and made a 30+ yard field goal. Unsure of kickoff return due to most of Henry Clay's kickoffs going into the end zone.

 

Still needing improvement:

 

Excessive personal foul penalties, punt protection, secondary coverage vs. a more refined passing game (Henry Clay struggled in this area), offensive line play vs. a more physical defense.

 

I don't think Henry Clay is as far from being a more competitive team as the score indicated. They just had a disastrous stretch from the middle of the first quarter through the middle of the second quarter where they made some crucial mistakes.

 

Overall, an improved effort by the Tigers. This improvement will need to continue as a much more talented and physical Bowling Green awaits them next week.

I thought X was down this year? :idunno:

 

I'd wager they still are. HC is just more so.

Good job Tigers! Keep it going.

 

For anyone interested in watching a replay of this game the above link is very high quality video with Gary Ball doing the play by play.

St. X won't have trouble getting fired up for next weeks game with Bowling Green. The Purples have beaten the Tigers four years in a row. It should be a great game, as usual.

Some pictures from game:

 

 

 

 

 

Devonte Robinson