This will be a battle of 6A undefeated teams, among the best in the state. 

Ballard #1 RPI vs. DuPont Manual #3 RPI.

Podcast Game of the Week!

This should be great game!

No poll? Or am I overlooking it? I say Ballard wins in a come from behind game victory, 28-21.

Great game here!  I'm going to try to make this one!

Ballard is 5-0 for the first time since 1985.  SR QB Tristen Hawkins is playing very well, but the Bruin defense has been their bread and butter this year limiting teams to less than 5 points per game through 5 games.  The Ballard defensive leaders are SR LB Gavin Willis and Jamarques Frank along with JR S Montel Campbell.  When Ballard knocked off Male this year, that woke most up that this Ballard team was to be reckoned with this year!

Manual, also 5-0, has won 9 straight against Ballard (that's hard for me to believe, but true).  That includes last years 47-14 Crimson win.  Manual defeated a good Cincinnati LaSalle team 20-16 last Friday as JR ZahRon Washburn had 236 yards on the ground including a clutch 47 yard TD run in the 4th Quarter.  The Crimson defense is again a very solid group only allowing just over 8 points per game through 5 games.  The Manual D is let by SR DE Beni Tshita (Marshall commit) and SR S Amare Townsend (SE MO St commit).

This will be a great game!  Go Crimsons!

I think I like Manual in this one.

11 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

I think I like Manual in this one.

I am on the struggle bus with this game, I like both teams. ?‍♀️

1 minute ago, theguru said:

I am on the struggle bus with this game, I like both teams. ?‍♀️

I just don’t trust Ballard yet.

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

I just don’t trust Ballard yet.

I feel the same way about both teams.  Manual beat LaSalle (OH), great win, and Ballard beat Male, great win, but beyond that I just don't know.

If this game is close it builds my confidence in both teams and if either team handles the other the results speak for themselves. 

The anticipation for this one is refreshing in the typically predictable landscape of Louisville football. 

When was the last time we had a game of this magnitude in the city that didn't involve one of the "Big 3"? I'm talking big schools here.

15 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

The anticipation for this one is refreshing in the typically predictable landscape of Louisville football. 

When was the last time we had a game of this magnitude in the city that didn't involve one of the "Big 3"? I'm talking big schools here.

Excellent point and in the lifetimes of anyone on the field I am thinking never. 

Manual playing a not-great (by their standards) LaSalle team so closely has me leaning Ballard in this one.  Should be a fun game!

30 minutes ago, The Double Deuce said:

Manual playing a not-great (by their standards) LaSalle team so closely has me leaning Ballard in this one.  Should be a fun game!

Fair point, but Manual did win.

If you look at their schedules:

Ballard:  Hoptown - 22-0; Male 12-7; S Oldham 41-0; Franklin County 44-8; Butler 41-8

Manual: Central 40-12; Floyd Central 45-7; N Hardin 33-6; Valley 47-0; LaSalle 20-16

Who is the second best win for each team?

Ballard: it would likely be Franklin County or Hoptown.

Manual: it would be Central or N Hardin.

I think I'll lean Manual, but we are likely splitting hairs.

I went to the 2018 game between these 2 and Manual won 21-20 in overtime due to a missed or blocked extra point.   I think this year will be something like that too.

 

45 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

Fair point, but Manual did win.

If you look at their schedules:

Ballard:  Hoptown - 22-0; Male 12-7; S Oldham 41-0; Franklin County 44-8; Butler 41-8

Manual: Central 40-12; Floyd Central 45-7; N Hardin 33-6; Valley 47-0; LaSalle 20-16

Who is the second best win for each team?

Ballard: it would likely be Franklin County or Hoptown.

Manual: it would be Central or N Hardin.

I think I'll lean Manual, but we are likely splitting hairs.

I went to the 2018 game between these 2 and Manual won 21-20 in overtime due to a missed or blocked extra point.   I think this year will be something like that too.

 

All fair points, Purp, but I think the basis for my Ballard-lean is I believe Male would beat LaSalle by more than 4...this Lancers' team isn't that great.  All of that said, it is 15-18 year old guys, anything can (and will) happen!!

I’m going with Ballard in a close game! 

The trend is your friend and Manual has owned the series so I will take Manual until Ballard beats them. I won't be surprised whichever team wins though as should be good game. I look for a low scoring game.