7 minutes ago, LongTimeReader said:

Massey Ratings have the predicted score of St. X 35 Owensboro 13.

If St. X can effectively run the ball they could get to 35. 

Those ratings are using historical data so I don't put a whole lot of stick in them. Once get a few games in system will be better.

1 hour ago, Purple88 said:

Owensboro is a different team at Rash Stadium.

It will be closer than the Massey score.

Yeah, I don't anticipate it being the wide of a margin especially in week 1.  

3 tiger players made the preseason Courier Journal All-Metro Team:

Punter Bennett Boehnlein

DE Micah Carter

WR Mekhi Smith

I would have LB Jaxon Panariello on the team so hope he will be on post season team.

Shout out to LT Jak Lindsey for Owensboro - First Team freshman All-American last year by MaxPreps.  He is even much more mobile this year.  He filled in all over the line, but the last several games for OHS he was snapping to Gavin at center.  He's now moved to LT:

 

First Team Offense

 

QB Jadyn Davis, Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill, S.C.)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180

Despite injury, high-ceiling signal caller flashed potential in six games in his second varsity season.

 

RB Jordan Triplett, Frederica Academy (St. Simons Island, Ga.)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180

All-region pick was one of the nation's most productive ninth grade running backs, with 1,704 yards and 21 touchdowns in 10 games.

 

RB Davion Gause, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210

Bruising man-child averaged nearly 10 yards per carry for the runner-up in Class 3A.

 

WR Debron Gatling, Milton (Ga.)

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180

Flashed the speed to be a downfield threat and the physicality to thrive across the middle.

 

WR Zycarl Lewis, Jefferson (Tampa, Fla.)

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 140

Silky smooth route runner with DeVonta Smith-like build has elite agility.

 

TE Landen Thomas, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 215

Physical blocker and sure-handed receiver earned all-region honorable mention for South Georgia powerhouse.

 

OL Xavier Miles, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 285

Powerful interior linemen with great bloodlines stood out in shortened season.

 

OL Walt Flynn, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 275

Started at center for No. 2 team in the country.

 

OL Josiah Thompson, Dillon (S.C.)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 275

"Big Cat" toyed with opposing defenders all season long.

 

OL Jak Lindsey, Owensboro (Ky.)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310

Athletic big man played all over for the Class 5A finalist.

 

OL Daniel Calhoun, Centennial (Roswell, Ga.)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330

Has drawn comparisons to Michael Oher of "Blindside" fame.

 

AP Taeo Todd, Troup County (LaGrange, Ga.)

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175

Tough-running quarterback rumbled for 1,457 yards and 11 touchdowns on 141 carries.

A couple of things I thought about that could decide the outcome of this game. Big games like this are decided at the line of scrimmage; from an Owensboro standpoint offensively, I think they will struggle keeping the St. X defensive line out of the back field, but Wimsatt has the ability to move around. Can he produce yardage through the air when he's on the run? If he can do that it will be huge for Owensboro because they'll be able to keep drives alive. For St. X offensively, it looked like Caldwell Co. was able to get some good running lanes in their scrimmage last week. If St. X is able to have the same success creating lanes against the Owensboro defense it could go a long way in helping the Tigers secure a win at Rash Stadium. 

Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers take a shot on their first offensive possession. Maybe Mekhi on a double move or Duddy on a post or vertical!

 

If you can’t park in lot, park in the surrounding streets to the WEST of Frederica Street ( the side the stadium is on) and walk.  There is entrance on Ford avenue as well for St X fans SW corner. 
 

Old Hickory is a great bbq place on 25th about 1/2 mile from stadium.  Big Dipper is great drive thru burger place out on West Parrish, and right by moonlite bbq.  If you want buffet, moonlite, if you want a great pork (Boston butt) sandwich or mutton (lamb) - without a doubt old hickory.

We have made it to the doorstep of a new season!  Tomorrow is game day!

With that, I'm providing my Top 3 keys to the game for each team:

St. X

1.  The St X defense needs to contain the Owensboro rush game.  Owensboro has dynamite athletes at RB and can cause alot of problems for you.  But make Owensboro 1-dimentional and it tilts the field in X's favor.

2.  QB Jack Sivori is a Senior, but he doesn't have alot of varsity experience.  Rash Stadium is one of the most unique stadiums in KY.  It can feel like the crowd is on your back.  If Sivori can use his legs and his arm wisely with no turnovers, then X will be well on its way to a Big W!

3.  X best players need to be their best players.  Micah Carter, Mekhi Smith, Duddy, DE Meyers, LB Panariello, S Walters.  Make plays.

 

Owensboro

1.  Gavin Wimsatt is the top recruit/player in Kentucky for a reason.  He's that talented.  But in this game, Owensboro needs him to be the best player on the field.  That doesn't mean force passes.  That means control the game by finding the 3rd or 4th option, as X isn't going to give you Rodgers all night.  You can book that.  Also make X commit to a spy on Wimsatt as his legs are as talented as his arm is and go down and don't take the big hit!

2.  O Receivers - Rodgers is known.  The rest of the guys not so much.  Owensboro needs them to step up GAME 1!  Make great catches.  Block down field.  With Owensboro's speed, this is the difference in a terrific 20 yard gain and a TD.  Be great O WRs!

3.  Owensboro's defense needs to try to confuse X QB Sivori.  Bring the blitz from different places.  Don't let him get comfortable.  Also you won't be able to stop Smith and Duddy all night, but if you can limit their big chunk plays that's a big plus for O.  Finally, X will try to run the ball too.  Are their lanes to run in?  The O LBs must read the play and get off blocks to get X behind the chains.  That would be huge for O.

 

X Factor:  Rash Stadium - No team I know, plays better at home than Owensboro.  If the crowd gets into it, which I think it will, Owensboro feeds off that energy.  

My prediction:  Have thought about this game alot and am planning on going.  Ultimately my prediction is based on which team I think has the best chance to achieve my 3 keys above, but doesn't mean the other can't win.

I'm going with X - 21  O - 17 in a great game!

Could be the #1 game in all of the state this weekend.

 

All the above mentioned posts about keys to the game is spot on.  Personally, I think Owensboro's biggest question is....

Can the Red Devils get the St X offense off the field?  I think there are only 2 or 3 teams in the state this year that will achieve this.  Add to the fact that X has their defense in a high gear this season.

My prediction...

St X 27

Owensboro 13

Need Micah to have good game to pressure Wimsatt. Big D1 QB vs Big D1 DE. I'm looking forward to seeing these two.

If Micah can be disruptive it will be a good night for the Tigers' defense. Owensboro has some good OTs, so he has to be able to mix up his moves to keep the offensive guys guessing. 

"If Micah can be disruptive it will be a good night for the Tigers' defense. Owensboro has some good OTs, so he has to be able to mix up his moves to keep the offensive guys guessing."

 

Micah needs to be able to stay on the field consistently to make the impact he needs to make.  He has made plenty of spectacular plays; he needs his availably to equal his ability.  If so, he can be a major factor for the Tiger defense.

O WR’s need to catch passes in traffic.  Lots of speed all over the field for O.  Tremendous defense in X, great coach in Wallace.  I think O might surprise some with the running game and if that’s the case it helps huge on passing plays.  That’s a big IF with St X front 7 - dominating and quick. How will St X offense do with a lot of new faces but 2 tremendous WR’s?  O’s strength on defense is the fast secondary.  Can O turnover X and get some defense /special teams points?

I think O at home, with Wimsatt and the speed they have CAN make this a game.  If O gets 80-100 rushing yards they win, if not they lose.  I’ll say between Wimsatt and the 4-headed monster at RB, they will.

Owensboro 27-21 in OT

Its been a LONG time since I've checked in here but I'm back off of a summer of non stop work travel and ready for some ball!  To no surprise, this is thread so far.  We have been talking about this game off and on for about 3 months now here in the Owensboro area.  I won't claim to know a ton about St X but knowing that Coach Wallace will be on the sidelines tells me that they are going to be very detailed oriented and prepared.  Coming into the game, no matter the talent on either team, that is where I would give St X the biggest advantage.  Owensboro's program needs to show me that they can clean up the little mistakes that always seem to cost them in games against teams with equal talent.  I did see a little of that in the playoff win against Frederick Douglass last year, but they will need to carry that into the game tomorrow if they want any shot at winning.  Here is what I expect to see from Owensboro...

Offense - obviously Gavin Wimsatt is the focal point of the offense but I believe that the biggest strength of the team will be up front.  Jak Lindsey and Trey Miller are bookend tackles.  I'm not sure if you will find a better tackle combo in the state.  Just seeing what St X has to offer at the DE spot, this instantly becomes a must see match-up for me.  Those battles may end up being what determines the outcome of this game.  While Owensboro will have a ton of talent at WR and RB, it is a lot of unproven varsity talent.  Ethan Pendleton should be an absolute star with his size and athleticism on the outside but this is a tough game to get acclimated against one of the best defenses in the state.  Khalil Rogers is the most experienced returning WR.  He runs great routes but he has to be more consistent holding onto the ball this season.  As far as the running game, I really don't know what to expect.  I think Carbon is the best option simply due to his ability to catch out of the backfield.  That wrinkle worked well for the Devils in the playoffs last season.  It would not surprise me if Gavin is teams leading rusher in this one.

Defense - do not underrate this group.  They will be solid up front with one of the most underrated DL in the state, Sahvon Hines.  He was tremendous as a sophomore last year.  I feel like the Devils have one of, if not the most talented CB duo's in the state in Moorman and Taylor.  Zach Clark(who completely locked down Crowdus in the state semifinal last year) will be a monster this season.  He is a one man screen buster as an OLB/DB.  Jeremiah Goodwin is a constant disruptor at LB and should have a monster junior season.  Kenyatta Carbon will be amongst the better safeties in the state.  Overall, I think this group has potential to be as good or better than the defense Owensboro had in 2019.

Pure talent alone, I would give a slight edge to Owensboro.  My heart says Owensboro doesn't loose a game all season but my brain knows that St X is going to be extremely well coached and will be over prepared for this game.  In the end, I'm going to stay homer and ride with the best player in the state, Gavin Wimsatt, to lead a 4th Quarter game winning drive. 

Give me the Devils  21-14.

@ApolloFan98good stuff.  I didn't see Jerrick Williams on the O-line, nor Rodgers at WR  in the scrimmage - are these both playing Friday night?  I assume Williams will be the LG.