Haven’t seen BG this year and only seen X a few times. But I can see X trying to grind out a win on the ground without utilizing the passing game much. BG is going to get 4 quarters of X’s #1 defense. Even though this is Senior Night I can see X staying with their starters longer than most schools do on Senior Night. With Southern being their first round playoff opponent, most senior reserves will get their playing time in the Southern game. I’ll go X 28-7. 

Jr. DT Ashton Jones on visit to EKU. He's had good season. He's also one of best shot put throwers in state.

Found out today that all of St. X's home playoff games will be streamed. They just have to pay fee to KHSAA and a donor is going to cover it. 

43 minutes ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Found out today that all of St. X's home playoff games will be streamed. They just have to pay fee to KHSAA and a donor is going to cover it. 

That's awesome!

I don't know a lot about Bowling Green. I do want to say that I am glad that these two teams continue to play each other. It is great for football in the state.

On 10/22/2022 at 5:20 PM, PhenomxX said:

Purples were right in the ball game until the fourth quarter last year… this is a completely different team, especially on offense. If the defense can make 2-3 key stops, I’m confident that Bailey and the offense will find success.  Time of possession and key special team snaps will be the difference here. No disrespect to X, but I’m taking the Purples. 

BG: 24

STX: 17

 

So you think BG is improved from last year, what about X? How do you see them compared to a year ago?

Here is what calpreps.com projects:

2021 St. Xavier 24 - 2022 St. Xavier 20

2022 Bowling Green 22 - 2021 Bowling Green 17

14 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

So you think BG is improved from last year, what about X? How do you see them compared to a year ago?

The gap isn't nearly as big in speed and big game experience. Switching the matchup from early September to late season definitely helps both teams, especially the more youthful BG. I do think X has improved, but not as drastically as BG has. But with that said, X is still the defending 6A champion, so there wasn't much need to improve. Should be a good contest between two state champion contenders.

Here is what it will come down to, can BG contain X's run game. It's not that X has a tremendous running game but watching some clips from the BG/Boyle Co. game, Boyle was able to consistently get a solid push at the line of scrimmage. Tha is where I see the biggest difference between the two teams. BG's offense will give the X defense a lot of fits because they'll spread them out and force the Tiger defense to make open field tackles. If BG can stay ahead of the chains they'll be in good shape, but get in 3rd and long and I don't think the BG OL will be able to handle the pash rush from X.

From the X standpoint I'm glad this game is where it is because it'll be a good test heading into the playoffs to get starters and rotators high level of competition before the playoffs get underway. 

2 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

So you think BG is improved from last year, what about X? How do you see them compared to a year ago?

I don't think St. X is as good on offense as last year because had to replace Jack  Sivori, Mekhi Smith, and Michael Duddy, but I think the defense is better since returned most of the unit from last year.

That is a really good take by @LongTimeReader!

In alot of ways, Bowling Green is the inverse of Manual.  Manual is strong defensively but limited offensively.  I would say BG is strong offensively and limited defensively.

Boyle County created the road map to attack the BG defense.  Father Ryan and South Warren both tried to follow that plan to a degree.  I assume X will too.  To LTR's point, can BG stop the run?  Against Greenwood, BG only allowed 100 yards on the ground and defensively turned a corner IMO.  I'm NOT suggesting GW is X, but I do think the BG defense is playing better than they showed in the Boyle County game.  Good enough to win?  I'm not saying that, but good enough to stay in the game.  I look for X to run Boone alot on Friday.  He was effective vs Manual and will likely be against BG too.  I also look for X to throw a ton of screen passes.  They worked well against Manual too.

Bowling Green's offensive game plan has to be the best of the season in order to stay competitive, as I think St X is the best defensive team in the state.  BG will need positive yards on first down.  That is critical to their offensive flow to not get into 2nd and 3rd and long.  It will happen some.  But if it happens all night, that's a bad scenario for BG.

BG's defensive theme may be "bend but don't break".  Make X kick 3s more than put up 6s and that's likely a win for BG.

I have 2 predictions:

Thinking with my head:

St X 24 - BG 10 - This is straight chalk.  Exactly what the state and talking heads expect.

Thinking with my heart:

BG 21 - St X 20 - This is a scenario where BG gets the benefit of several turnovers and wins all special teams and has less penalties than X.  That doesn't happen alot vs X but will sometimes.

I'm thankful for this game and as long as no injuries for either team don't mind it in Week 10.

I voted for Bowling Green because I want to see them win and think they can if things go their way, but I think X will most likely take this.  I think it’ll be competitive.

X 28

BG 17

If BG can pull this one out it tells me that there is not much difference in the top teams in 4A, 5A and 6A, as people have thought all year.

2 hours ago, Volxtile said:

I voted for Bowling Green because I want to see them win and think they can if things go their way, but I think X will most likely take this.  I think it’ll be competitive.

X 28

BG 17

If BG scores 17 points, there's a good chance they're going to win. 

Last year BG put up zero against the X defense who was playing without Micah Carter, Jaxon Panerello, and Teddy Meiers. I’m not sure of the status of Meiers but Carter and Panarello will certainly be 2 of the better if not best defensive players they will see all season outside possibly Tommy Zeismer of Boyle. BG’s offense is much better this season but I have a hard time seeing them score more than 10 points. Give me the Tigers 24-10.