St. Xavier vs. Male Predictions/Updates

[Tigerpride94]

#2 St. Xavier (2-0) will host #1 Male (2-0). St. X comes into the game after defeating 4A Central 30-6. Male comes into the game after defeating Ballard 51-14. They did not meet last year due to covid breaking a long streak of playing each other.

Male is led by some dynamic offensive players producing 50 points per game. It all starts with veteran QB Nic Schutte who is a accurate passer and finds his dynamic receivers Vinny Anthony (Wisconsin commit) and speedy Max Gainey who is also a great kickoff returner. TE Dominic Vrbancic has been a steady target for Schutte this early season. If those weapons aren't enough then they have big RB Daniel Swinney who gashed Ballard and is tough to bring down.

Male on defense has been with out DL Selah Brown who has had a nagging leg injury, but his absence hasn't impacted the defense as they are holding teams to 7 points per game. LB Elijah Manning has been an anchor on defense in Brown' absence. Selah Brown's status for this game is uncertain.

St. X's strength this season has been it's offense as the expected strong defense has battled multiple injuries. QB Jack Sivori has led the way accounting for 10 touchdowns and rushing for 274 yards between two games. Mekhi Smith has played well at receiver and in the return game. WR Michael Duddy leads with 3 touchdown receptions. RB Justin Walsh has chipped in 180 yards rushing to date. St. X is averaging 40.5 points per game.

The St.X defense which was down 4 starters against Central will again be short handed against Male. Word is that LB Jaxon Panariello who led the team in tackles last year will begin practice this week, but won't be available against Male due to the 5 day acclimation rule. So far, the defense has been led by S Tyler Boggs with 15 tackles and LB Ben Marks who has 14 tackles. 
 

This game will most likely be a sell out with an electric atmosphere. Can St. X slow the vaunted Male offense? Can Male slow the St.X rushing attack? Who wins this rivalry that has spanned decades?

[NLTanker1]

Pulling for X, but not real confident.

[Tigerpride94]

This game starts a brutal 3 game stretch of Male, Elder (OH), and Trinity for St.X. Games like this make you better in the long run.
 

Cal preps has it Male 35-28

[LongTimeReader]

Massey Ratings has the most likely score Male 30-21.

[LongTimeReader]

This is going to be a tough game for St. X even if they were completely healthy on the defensive side. I just don't know if they'll be able to make enough stops defensively, but that's why they play the game. I do think St. X will be able to move the football, but they must be better passing the football this week than they were last week against Central. The positive so far for St. X is their first two opponents have been better than the two Male have played. 

Something to consider, the last time Male visited St. X they ran them out of the stadium. We'll see if the Tigers can make their case as a title contender after Friday night. 

[coachb110]

I like the way X has performed in their first 2 games!  It's a shame that their defense is so riddled with injuries.  I do think the Tigers will give Male a hell of a game, but I suspect it may not be enough for a win until they get back to full strength.  Good luck! Should be one hell of a game!

[LongTimeReader]

I know St. X is having a big alumni event and honoring state championship teams, and both Bill and Mike Glaser. So it should be a great environment. 

[Tigerpride94]

1 minute ago, LongTimeReader said:

I know St. X is having a big alumni event and honoring state championship teams, and both Bill and Mike Glaser. So it should be a great environment. 

Yes, going to be packed house. Standing room only.

[Hungover_in_Andover]

Bulldogs run away with it 42-17. That offense is too high octane. 

[LongTimeReader]

There are a lot of options to defend on the Male offense. We'll see how the Tigers' defense hold up.  

[Tigerpride94]

I think the Tiger defense will have to get pressure on Male QB Nic Schutte to win. ST. X has got pressure on Owensboro QB Gavin Wimsatt and Central QB Vernon Duncan but both were very fast and could scramble away from pressure. Male QB Nic Schutte doesn't have the speed of the other two quarterbacks so may be a little more susceptible to the rush, but Schutte has Vinny Anthony and Dominic Vrbancic as big outlets to dump the ball in the case of pass rush. 

This game could be the difference of hosting a 3rd or 4th round playoff game due to the impact on the RPI. I think the winner of this game has a good chance to go undefeated in the regular season.

[Purple88]

I think X can beat Male, but with the guys injured right now on defense I'm not sure this is the chance they can do it on (meaning they may have a better chance in the playoffs, when they get Carter, Meiers and Panariello back).  As has been said, Male has alot of guys to cover and X will be doing that covering without their best guys on the field.  Tough ask.

With that said, I think Sivori can cause Male some problems with his mobility and X receivers are really good.

I'm also interested to see how Male QB Schutte plays in this game.  I expect him to show out and show he can be very elusive, which is why X needs their top guys in the game.  Also is Male DE Brown expected to play in this game.  Yes, Male has other guys, but they don't have other HIGH Power 5 - Coaches Drooling guys.

Male 28

X 17

[Kanaka Kahakai]

It's going to be packed. better call LMPD or safety officers to control the traffic flow. Neighborhood folks will be calling for people parking in their lawn lol. I pick St. X in a close one 17-14.

[LongTimeReader]

What is the likely hood the JV game gets played tonight?

[Tigerpride94]

46 minutes ago, Kanaka Kahakai said:

It's going to be packed. better call LMPD or safety officers to control the traffic flow. Neighborhood folks will be calling for people parking in their lawn lol. I pick St. X in a close one 17-14.

George Rogers Clark neighborhood has been collecting signatures since over a month ago to get city to put up no parking signs. I don't know what the status of that effort is. Fortunately I live close enough to walk so no stuck in traffic for me.