Ryle Raids Edgewood In NKY's Game Of The Week

Records: Ryle (5-4) | Dixie (4-5)

BGP Rankings: Ryle (#10 in 6A) | Dixie (#9 in 5A)

Week 10 Results: Ryle beat Simon Kenton | Dixie lost to Cooper

Series History: Ryle leads 17-14 all-time 

Teaser Preview: The "Resurgent Raiders" did it again. Two weeks after securing a three score comeback in the fourth quarter against Campbell County, Ryle pulled off a two score revival over Simon Kenton. 

Coach Mike Engler would surely prefer his team play from in front, but at least he knows his squad is long on mental toughness. 

Dixie Heights has had its mental fortitude tested, as well. You've got to wonder what toll their fortunes are taking after they dropped another competitive game last week. The Colonels are now 0-5 versus teams with a winning record. 

So often, the spotlight shines on the ones moving the football, but this game features a pair of linebackers adept at stopping its forward momentum. Dixie's Brach Rice is already a star. Ryle's Jacob Savage is headed that way. They'll try to will their sides to victory in what looks to be a spirited affair and the best show in NKY this Friday night.

If I'm Dixie, I lock up man to man, flood the box with defenders to stop the run and have a constant spy on Ryle's QB. Dixie has two very good corners capable of covering the WRs of Ryle. If the Dixie QB can run stay healthy this week and run the ball like he did  the first 3 quarters against Cooper, I think they have the upper hand. IMO Gregg > Verax. 

 

Having said all of that, the Dixie coaching staff has got some work to do in the realm of game management. Wasted time in crucial situations along with the inability to get a play in in a timely manor cost them vs Cooper last week. Another thing they're going to need is a backup plan for Gregg not being able to run. Personally, I'd line up Rice in the backfield and run behind him. Dixie has the players to run a smashmouth run oriented offense in the absence of Gregg if they needed to. 

 

Anyway, give me Dixie this week. 28-21

Close one in Edgewood that could go either way. If Gregg is limited, that will hurt Dixie. No sense playing an injured player that will be needed in the playoffs. Rice pounding the ball on QB lead would be tough to stop if Dixie goes that route. Ryle has been pass heavy most games. 

This will be heresy for Dixie fans but I think the reason they aren't winning these close games against top tier opponents is Armani Gregg at QB. Top notch athlete and he needs to be starting but he is not your QB. The Dixie passing game is lacking in these big games. It isn't bad, it is just that it is average at best. Completing less than 60% of your passes will not win games against tough opponents. Maybe there isn't an alternative at QB that can do better passing than ball. If there is, I would change it up and move Gregg into a running/receiver role. Do what Highlands did with Charlie Noon.

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

This will be heresy for Dixie fans but I think the reason they aren't winning these close games against top tier opponents is Armani Gregg at QB. Top notch athlete and he needs to be starting but he is not your QB. The Dixie passing game is lacking in these big games. It isn't bad, it is just that it is average at best. Completing less than 60% of your passes will not win games against tough opponents. Maybe there isn't an alternative at QB that can do better passing than ball. If there is, I would change it up and move Gregg into a running/receiver role. Do what Highlands did with Charlie Noon.

1528 yards 18 tds looks pretty good for a Junior qb.

15 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

1528 yards 18 tds looks pretty good for a Junior qb.

Yep. The completion percent is the problem. And it is worse against the better opponents.

3 hours ago, CoachMulvi said:

If I'm Dixie, I lock up man to man, flood the box with defenders to stop the run and have a constant spy on Ryle's QB. Dixie has two very good corners capable of covering the WRs of Ryle. If the Dixie QB can run stay healthy this week and run the ball like he did  the first 3 quarters against Cooper, I think they have the upper hand. IMO Gregg > Verax. 

 

Having said all of that, the Dixie coaching staff has got some work to do in the realm of game management. Wasted time in crucial situations along with the inability to get a play in in a timely manor cost them vs Cooper last week. Another thing they're going to need is a backup plan for Gregg not being able to run. Personally, I'd line up Rice in the backfield and run behind him. Dixie has the players to run a smashmouth run oriented offense in the absence of Gregg if they needed to. 

 

Anyway, give me Dixie this week. 28-21

Logan Verax has 2258 passing yards, 68.7 comp %, 15 TD's, 6 INT. He leads 6A in passing yards, completions, and completion % among all starters. Ryle has played a tougher schedule and has wins over both Cooper and SK, who Dixie lost to.

I understand Gregg runs the ball too, but Verax was Ryle's leading rusher for weeks this year as well. 

Gregg had a great season. I suspect this game will be very close, Verax > Gregg. 

 

 

 

38 minutes ago, footballfan21212 said:

Logan Verax has 2258 passing yards, 68.7 comp %, 15 TD's, 6 INT. He leads 6A in passing yards, completions, and completion % among all starters. Ryle has played a tougher schedule and has wins over both Cooper and SK, who Dixie lost to.

I understand Gregg runs the ball too, but Verax was Ryle's leading rusher for weeks this year as well. 

Gregg had a great season. I suspect this game will be very close, Verax > Gregg. 

 

 

 

Logan definitely has had his best year as a passer this year. After being more in the 50% area for completion percentage his first two years as a starter. He has made a big jump this year and seems to be much more accurate completing close to 70% of his passes and putting up great numbers. 

1 hour ago, footballfan21212 said:

Logan Verax has 2258 passing yards, 68.7 comp %, 15 TD's, 6 INT. He leads 6A in passing yards, completions, and completion % among all starters. Ryle has played a tougher schedule and has wins over both Cooper and SK, who Dixie lost to.

I understand Gregg runs the ball too, but Verax was Ryle's leading rusher for weeks this year as well. 

Gregg had a great season. I suspect this game will be very close, Verax > Gregg. 

 

 

 

Stats are cool. A lot more that affects stats than one guy's ability. For example, and no disrespect to anyone else, if Cam O'Hara had Highlands offensive line he'd likely have 4000 yards passing. 

 

Verax and Gregg are both solid QBs. I don't think anyone will dispute that. Hopefully they're both healthy for friday. 

Dixie needs 2 Touchdowns out of the Defense and/or Special Teams to win this week, the rest of the season

Dixie offensively has just missed TOO many opportunities this season in the passing game. A big part of that lack of play design. Everything has either been a deep shot down the field or a quick pass to Goetz. Another part is the lack of time and confidence Gregg has in pocket. He’s had several missed chances because he’s had to scramble but rarely have you seen eyes up to throw. 

I don’t know if anyone on here has watched Dixie’s JV this season but Sophomore QB Mason Fields is pretty darn good as well. I do think that kid will be a really good QB in years to come.

This week Dixie finally finds a way to finish a game. 28-21 Dixie. 

3 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Yep. The completion percent is the problem. And it is worse against the better opponents.

He can't control dropped passes.

1 hour ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

He can't control dropped passes.

That's a lot of drops. I don't think they are all dropped passes. 

Here's the thing. I think Gregg is a good enough athlete to play at the next level. I think it is highly doubtful he would play QB. It is better for the Dixie offense and better for him to play WR/RB. It is late in the year to change. If Gregg is the QB, I  get very run focused on offense and limit passes to no more than 15 in a game. Dixie has the line and excellent options in Gregg, Anderson and Rice to run it on teams, control clock and win old school style - just like they did when they went to the 6A title game 8 or 10 years ago.

2 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

He can't control dropped passes.

He had 15 incomplete passes against Cooper. only 2 of those incompletions were actually touched by a Dixie receiver. He had 1 knocked down at line, and several under throw passes and a couple overthrows.

 

I know I’ve only seen DH bs SK but in that game the QB just barely missed on a few that would’ve touchdowns.