Other than last year, been a lot of close games.

Give me Manual 35-14.

I'll take Manual in a close one. 

2003. Ballard at Seneca was an important district game. But I'm sure there were others. 

31 minutes ago, Roundsteak said:

2003. Ballard at Seneca was an important district game. But I'm sure there were others. 

I remember that game well.  I coached in it for Seneca.  Both teams had tons of talent.  Seneca had just come off an upset win of Trinity led by Brian Brohm a few games before that & was ranked #1 in Class 4A that year (only 4 classes).  We beat Ballard to essentially win the district title (still had to beat Shelby Co & Southern which we did) and then ended up losing to Ballard in the playoffs.  That was one of the only years when the KHSAA did sister districts and all 4 teams from one district beat all 4 teams from the sister district in the playoffs.  I'd say you're probably right on that one being the last one that didn't involve the Big 3.

As for the game, I like Manual's defense to be able to stop the Ballard offense.  They can match them athlete for athlete.  The question to me is whether or not Manual can get Zeke Washburn on track in the run game against Ballard.  I think they can just enough so I'm taking Manual by a score of 27-14.  

Ballard is susceptible to the pass, but luckily for them, they really haven't played anyone who slings the ball around very much/well to this point.  I know some people might point to Male, but Male was also using a QB rotation, with neither one having many Varsity reps to that point, plus they were missing Max Gainey and I haven't seen much from Shammai Gates to this point, which is odd.

Pay to watch from the NFHS:

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/dupont-manual-high-school-louisville-ky/gam342de086eb

The video is live and looks decent.

Ballard fumbled but recovered the opening kickoff.  They have the ball on their own 30.

Ballard tries a 47 yard FG. It’s no good. 
manual gets their first possession

still scoreless early.  

Just now, Purple88 said:

Ballard tries a 47 yard FG. It’s no good. 
manual gets their first possession

still scoreless early.  

You beat me, great.

This is the first drive for Manual. 

Manual is in all red, Ballard all white with maroon helmets. 

You can listen to the PA.  This is nice, kind of like being there. 

These two teams both fly around.

Manual has a good couple plays and a first down but a bad snap loses 15 and Manual will punt. 
Ballard ball in Manual territory. 

Ballard tries a 40 yd FG and it’s no good too after the longest series to go nowhere on the field but burn clock. 
scoreless still. 

End of 1Q

Scoreless

Ballard had the ball almost the whole 1Q

But Manual ball now.