Manual vs. Central Predictions/Updates

[Tigerpride94]

Manual who lost in 2nd round of 6A playoffs to St.X last year will host Central who was state runner up in 4A last year. 
 

Manual and Central both like to run the ball and play good defense so don't expect much passing and scoreboard busting offense.

Central returns their QB Vernon Duncan who passed for 525 yds and 4 tds. They also return their top 2 running backs with Malachi Lawrence leading the way with 835 yds and 10 tds. The offense looks to be improved with all the skill guys returning. The defense returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers and and led by LB Malachi Williams 33 tackles and 3 sacks. Central with so many players back should once again be stout on defense.

Manual returns QB Darien Wilson who passed for 527 yds and 6 tds. They also return one of the top RB in the state with JuWaun Northington who ran for 589 yds and 9 tds in only 5 games. The defense returns 6 starters and led by LB Ramont Townsend who had 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. 3rd leading tackler LB Charles Jones who had 18 tackles returns. Manual had one of top defenses in the state last year and should again this year.

Can Central stop or slow JuWaun Northington? Can Manual stop Malachi Williams? Who wins this defensive battle?

[LongTimeReader]

Close game, but I think Manual will be able to lean on Central towards the end of the game and control the football. 
 

Manual wins 24-14. 

[Tkinslow]

Should be a good one but I’m going with Manual 34-17.

[Tigerpride94]

I could see this game Manual 14-7. I think Northington will be the difference. 

[DevilMayCare]

1 hour ago, LongTimeReader said:

Close game, but I think Manual will be able to lean on Central towards the end of the game and control the football. 
 

Manual wins 24-14. 

 

17 minutes ago, Tigerpride94 said:

I could see this game Manual 14-7. I think Northington will be the difference. 

Kinda like an old school NFC North bruiser between the Bears and Vikings in the 80s. They used to call that division the "black and blue division". There should be plenty of bruises to go around for Manual and Central after this one's over. Games like this are a welcome change of pace from the wide open offenses we typically see every week.

[Tigerpride94]

3 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

 

Kinda like an old school NFC North bruiser between the Bears and Vikings in the 80s. They used to call that division the "black and blue division". There should be plenty of bruises to go around for Manual and Central after this one's over. Games like this are a welcome change of pace from the wide open offenses we typically see every week.

Right. They play old school ball.

[DevilMayCare]

The NFHS Network broadcast of this one can be found here. Subscription only.

[NLTanker1]

This should be an incredibly good, close game. I'm not ready to pull the trigger on a pick yet. But at first glance, I'd pick..

M-28

C- 20

Central has done really great playing higher classed opponents though. This could come down to defense.

[gchs_uk9]

These two have met in the opener many times over the last decade and it is almost always low scoring and close. I don't expect it to be much different this season. Central/Manual is always a premier Jefferson County matchup and this year is no different.

[DevilMayCare]

35 minutes ago, NLTanker1 said:

Central has done really great playing higher classed opponents though. This could come down to defense.

They've probably lost more than they've won when playing up against 6A schools, but they usually hold their own and have notched at least a few in the win column. That type of scheduling has been a vital part of their growth into a powerhouse over the last 15 years.

The recent history of this series supports this one being another tight, low scoring game. Over the last five meetings between Central and Manual, the aggregate score has been 56-55 in favor of the Crimsons. The 2019 and 2017 games were 7-0 finals.

Of course, when all signs point toward a defensive oriented game, that's when they throw us a breaking ball and have a shootout instead.

[Tigerpride94]

 

[DevilMayCare]

Manual has come back to take a 14-12 lead late in the 3rd.

[DevilMayCare]

Final. Manual wins 14-12.