Trinity (5-2) will welcome Ballard (2-4) to Marshall Stadium on Friday night. Trinity is coming off a defensive battle versus Cincinnati st. Xavier in which the Rocks on 7-3. Ballard comes in after dropping their last contest 43-42 in Overtime at Simon Kenton.

The Bruins have had some more competitive contests versus the Rocks over the past five or so years, which includes a 14-9 Ballard win in 2021. But the Rocks do just have that one loss to Ballard since 1995. Trinity will be heavily favored in this one. 

This game is the start of the district stretch for these two squads as they each play district teams each of the next three weeks.

After a scoreless week one versus South Warren, Ballard has been able to put up double digits week in and week out. Junior Qb Larry Irvin is the signal-caller for the Bruins with JR slot WR Daelen Thompson being his top target in the passing game. JR RB Lamar Hockersmith has led the rushing attack while QB Irvin can also use his legs. Can this offense, which does have some speed and athleticism, give the Trinity D any fits? Especially in the secondary?

For Trinity, we know it has been a defensive led team all year. The past two weeks have been especially rough for the Shamrocks' offense.  The Rocks have just two TDs since the Male game and the passing game has gone bye bye since the win at Carmel. Johnson has seven INTs on the year with five of them coming the past two games (2 vs X and 3 vs Cincy X). Sophomore star RB JB Berry came off the field late vs St. X with an injury. He missed last week versus Cincy X. We shall see what this week holds for the T running game which also has two proven options in Zach Floyd and Christopher Wilson. Sophomore Benji Rice (recent transfer from Cincy Moeller) has also entered the conversation to an extent.

Can't lookahead ever, but from what we've seen this year, the Rocks should be able to handle the Bruins, even if it might not be the prettiest win. Use this week to hit the rest button on offense. Get the gears rolling on Friday the push towards the playoffs intensifies.

I'll go with Trinity by running clock.

Probably less impressed with this Trinity offense than in past years.  QB play has been spotty hitting less than 50% on throws and more int than TDs.  The winning drive was epic against Male, but that type of play or even near that consistency is going to be needed playoff time.  This Ballard game will be a good opportunity to restart the passing game and build some momentum against a weak pass defense.

13 minutes ago, Oldercoach said:

Probably less impressed with this Trinity offense than in past years.  QB play has been spotty hitting less than 50% on throws and more int than TDs.  The winning drive was epic against Male, but that type of play or even near that consistency is going to be needed playoff time.  This Ballard game will be a good opportunity to restart the passing game and build some momentum against a weak pass defense.

I'm right there with you. Can pick out 1-2 drives a game where they looked good to great but that's it. Won a lot of ugly games this year. 

Massey Ratings has it Trinity 41-7. Difference in Calpreps ratings is in favor of Trinity by 32.

3 hours ago, St. Matthews Boy said:

I'm right there with you. Can pick out 1-2 drives a game where they looked good to great but that's it. Won a lot of ugly games this year. 

From what I have seen, very a strong slate of opponents, the Shamrocks Defense = A, Special Teams = A, Offense = C. They need to take the next month during District weeks and double down on execution of their offense. They might be closer than we think. 

I am not sure the Rock's have the offense to run clock anyone. Also, this current coaching staff does not move the Rocks with that kind of tempo or play calling.

Trinity rolls in this one. 

Trinity leads this series 54-6. I like the Rocks 35-7. This should be a running clock when the Bruins score late in the fourth quarter.

I thought it may be competitive.

But just saw Ballard gave up 450 passing yards last week to SK.

If those numbers are accurate, maybe Zane and the Rocks offense can get on track.

On 10/7/2024 at 9:14 PM, thsrocks said:

Trinity leads this series 54-6. I like the Rocks 35-7. This should be a running clock when the Bruins score late in the fourth quarter.

 Ballard's win over Trinity in 2022 was the Bruins' first in the series since 1995. One of just three Ballard wins over Trinity since 1990. 

We should have free video of this game from WDRB and it is very high quality.

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Rocks should have running back JB Berry back this week to compliment Chris Wilson, Zach Floyd and Benji Rice...Hearing that DB Will Ford will miss significant time now after getting hurt against X but junior OL Nate Shields is close to returning (which is huge)...I'd expect Elijah Burns-Crump to see most of the action in the secondary as the Rocks try to corral the electric Maurice Stephens...He's not quite Devante Parker, but he's very very good for the Bruins

Ballard down to the T 15 or so on two very good runs.

0-0, Ballard didn't score.

T ball on their own 20.