The regular season matchup that never was finally takes place. This year we may only get one edition of the grudge match between Christian Academy Louisville and the DeSales, but they're making this one count in 2020, with the winning team putting an end to the losing team's season.

The 4-2 Centurions will have home field advantage against the 3-2 Colts. Both teams spent their regular season fighting against a disappearing season schedule due to COVID quarantines. CAL has been able to get in three games since October 2, while DeSales has only gotten in two. They do have one common opponent, though, despite all of the cancellations. Both teams played and beat district competitor Henry County. CAL won the matchup 41-0, while DeSales won 36-13.

For the Colts, they will be walking onto the field on November 20th having only played a single game in the previous 42 days. Lucky for DeSales, their most recent game was a 41-0 win over Western Hills on Nov 6. For the Centurions, they have had two games in the same 42 day period prior to the upcoming first round playoff matchup, but their most recent game was on Oct 30 when they beat Bullitt Central 45-12.

Which team will we be watching in the second round of the playoffs?

 

This has been one of the state's best rivalries over the last decade. Both programs have ascended to a championship level during that time, and the pendulum of the series has swung evenly back and forth. Since 2011, they've met 18 times (twice every year, except this one), with the average score being 18.8-17.7 in CAL's favor. This is a notoriously hard game to pick.

Coaching experience is the one clear advantage that one team has over the other right now. I'll take DeSales, based on Harold Davis' track record in the postseason, and for that matter, Ty Scroggins' too.

My head tells me DeSales, but the lack of playing and being at CAL I think gives the Centurions the advantage. Should be a great one as usual!

CAL 24-21 I just think that 6 weeks is to much rust to shake off for Desales.

Better question is when was the last time either one of these teams lost in the first round of the playoffs.

17 minutes ago, Tkinslow said:

Better question is when was the last time either one of these teams lost in the first round of the playoffs.

For CAL, it was 2008. DeSales was 2003, but they both missed the playoffs in 2006.

I think James Johnson is the difference and Colts win.

Here's a link to watch the game tomorrow:

https://livesportscaster.com/video/8297/khsaa-football-playoffs-desales-at-christian-academy-of-louisville/

29 minutes ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Here's a link to watch the game tomorrow:

https://livesportscaster.com/video/8297/khsaa-football-playoffs-desales-at-christian-academy-of-louisville/

Thanks CWB, I am going to watch this one. 

2 hours ago, theguru said:

Thanks CWB, I am going to watch this one. 

Good choice. This is the game of the week in Class 3A and perhaps the best first round game in the entire commonwealth.

This is the game I choose to watch tonight.

 

DeSales in the red zone.

Really nice broadcast.

DeSales missed a FG.

CAL ball on their own 25.

That changes things.