Saint Xavier (10-1) will host Male (7-4) after defeating Southern 53-0, and Male comes in after defeating Pleasure Ridge Park 45-23.

Earlier in the season, St. X beat Male 24-10. Male's offense was held to a field goal as their lone touchdown was a pick 6. Male also didn't have WR Max Gainey in that game who has returned from injury.

St. X should overall be healthy coming into the game and have had an extra day to prepare since they played Thursday night and the starters had a early night.  
 

Does St. X make this three wins in a row over the Bulldogs or does Male pull the upset and make a run to the championship? Should be a packed house and great atmosphere.

Tigers are the defending champs and the favorites to win again, IMO. I don’t see them losing to Male. 

Should be a good one!

With Gainey back for Male it gives them that big play WR who can score anytime he touches the ball that they didn't have when they first met this season. 

1 hour ago, LongTimeReader said:

With Gainey back for Male it gives them that big play WR who can score anytime he touches the ball that they didn't have when they first met this season. 

They only scored 14 on Manual with him so not sure how much difference he makes since O-Line seems to be there issue. Swinney should be dominating but doesn't have big holes to run through.

Absolutely. X has the advantage at the line of scrimmage.

Calpreps gives St. X the advantage 28-12 and Massey also gives the Tigers the edge 24-14 with a 70% chance of winning. Looking forward to this game.

19 hours ago, LongTimeReader said:

With Gainey back for Male it gives them that big play WR who can score anytime he touches the ball that they didn't have when they first met this season. 

Bowling Green had a couple big play WRs, but they didn't show that.  The X defense had alot to do with that.  With only 1 for Male, I see multiple possession type receptions for Gainey, but few home run balls if any.

Some things change when teams play the second time in a season. One team appears overconfident while the other team is looking for revenge. However, I doubt X is overconfident but I do believe Male would sure like to spoil X’s championship hopes so revenge will be a motivating factor for them. 
This will be a real heavyweight matchup with Male’s speed challenging STX’s strength. I’ll go X 14 Male 10

This will be one of our games of the week!

 

St. X had 198 yards rushing in first matchup against Male and I don't see that changing. As long as St. X doesn't turn the ball over they should win.

PRP was able to find some running lanes, especially in the first half. Shots in the passing game will be there but obviously not something the St. X offense will live on. Pound the ball like they did in the first matchup and be able to find big opportunities with play action pass. 

X-21 M-10

It's Male. It's the playoffs. Each day we get closer I get a bit more excited and nervous. A game I thought would be later in the playoffs, but here we are. Male has pieces to win and advance, but Male just hasn't been able to get all those pieces on the field at the same time working together. But they do have most of their pieces back now for this matchup, so anything could happen.

But I think this X team has been on a mission, especially on the defensive side of the ball to prove they're a dominate force and embrace new competition and challenges each week. This X offense seems to be figuring out their identity and improving each week, which is a great thing for an offense has playoff season has begun. 

X has the advantage in the line of scrimmage and that's where games are won. The X front 7 will be able to keep Swinney in check and find ways to put pressure on the Male QB to make him feel uncomfortable in the pocket. X will continue to lean on their OL in the run game on offense, and I see them using timely play-action to get behind the Male secondary. This will be a typical slugfest between two top teams, and I see the Tigers moving on to the 3rd round.

St. X - 17

Male - 7

Male rush defense is 16th in 6A which will be difference in game. To win especially in playoffs you have to be able to stop the run.