Who wins this matchup? Central beat Manual last season. Manual hopes to get revenge this season.

Manual defense will shut Central down. Manual returns QB Recktenwald that sat out last year because of injury so offense should be improved.

Swami says:

This game is always close, two teams who play tough D.

The lack of experience for Central will be this year's key.

Manual will not have it easy, nor they ever will.

Yet the 6A school fights on with a convincing enough thrill.

ttt

I'm leaning ever so slightly to Central.

This should be a terrific game! Central hanging with Scott County in their scrimmage this early in the season tells me this game should be decided in the 4th quarter.

Go Crimsons!

Manual by 9.

This is such an intriguing matchup. You've got a powerhouse Central program moving up in class after graduating most of its playmakers against an always solid Manual program trying to get back to the upper echelon of 6A. Given the reputations of these two teams and their recent meetings, this has low scoring war of attrition written all over it. I think Manual digs deep and comes up with just enough offense to get the job done this year.

I never pick against Central anymore.

I never pick against Central anymore.

 

That's smart. We'll find out how big a fool I am in three days.

These 2 are an interesting matchup in that Central never thinks of themselves as a lower classification team. They consider themselves a Louisville school who isn't afraid of playing any other Louisville school.

 

In taking a look at the last 10 years these 2 have battled:

 

2018 - Central 18-0

2017 - Central 7-0

2016 - Manual 21-20

2015 - Manual 28-10

2014 - Manual 41-7

2013 - Manual 17-7

2012 - Central 29-7

2011 - Manual 23-20

2010 - Manual 31-21

2009 - Manual 45-28

 

2 interesting takes on 2 of these seasons:

- For Manual, they lost to Central in 2012, but went on to beat Male that same year.

- For Central, they lost to Manual in 2011 and 2010, but went on to win the State Championship both years.

 

This year, I think Manual is improved, but Central is still good so looking for a fun game Friday night at historic Manual Stadium!

Beautiful Night at Historic Manual Stadium!

 

Manual receives kickoff - 3 and out.

Central OLine look Huge!

Run 4 plays up middle for easy first.

Central much bigger than Manual front 7. Another rushing. First down.

Fumble Central. Eli Blakey on the strip. Very good player.

Aiden Moore has impressive quickness for Central at DE.

Manual 1 first down and punts.

Central has stopped running directly at Manual and its cost them.

Manual made defensive change and now stopping Central much earlier.

4th and 1 at Central 30 - Fake punt - direct snap to up man and stuffed by

Nothington for Manual.

Crimson ball at Central 29.

Still 0-0 with 8:30 to go in half.

Manual can't get anything going on offense.

Central RB Mucker is a good hard runner with a nice first down run.

Central with a hale Mary pass with a guy wide open. 40 yard completion for Central.

2:30 to go. Central at Manual 37.