The Old Rivalry

Male (8-1) will host Manual (8-1) after beating Bullitt East 30-20. Manual is coming off a 42-14 win over Meade County. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Last year, Male won 30-23. 

Male against Bullitt East had to lean on their Mr. Football candidates WR/QB Antonio Harris and OL Issac Sowells with the absence of scoring leader RB Chayce Burton due to injury and will have to do the same this week against Manual unless RB Chayce Burton can return but that seems doubtful without knowing the extent of his injury. Male was also beat up on the O-line and had to play some D-lineman on the O-Line to cover for those injuries. Male on defense has been led this season by LB Solomon Conley who has 46 tackles with 5 for a loss and 1 sack. 

Manual against Meade County rushed for 122 yards led by Aidan Blakey who had 47 of those with 1 touchdown on the ground. Manual had 181 yards passing with QB Kaden Mack throwing 152 of those and Aidan Blakey leading the receivers with 41 yards plus a touchdown. Starting RB Gerian Traynor was not listed on the stat report so not sure what his status is for this week's game. The defense held the good Meade County passing attack to only 99 yards through the air and also limited Meade County to 86 yards rushing. The defense this season has been led by DE Cameron Jessee who has 35 tackles and leads the team in sacks with 5 plus leads in tackles for a loss with 15. 

Since 1998, Male holds a 21-8 advantage over Manual with Manual's last win in 2020. Male leads the overall series 89-45-6. The first meeting was in 1893 making this the oldest rivalry in Kentucky. With Male's injuries it will be tough to keep the win streak going against a very good Manual team. Manual gave up over 250 yards passing against CAL and St. X so Antonio Harris will be tough for Manual to contain. This looks like a competitive game for the two old rivals who will both want to win this game bad to keep "The Barrell" trophy.

Before the injuries, even seeing how good Manual was playing, I would have favored Male here as I think they have better all-around talent. But especially with Burton being out I like the Crimson's chances on Friday night to get the win. I do see, however, Harris giving the Manual defense fits as he has done to pretty much every defense all year. 

Sowells did not play against Bullitt East.  He was in street clothes and had a slight limp. 

Hate to feel it coming, but Manuel in a close one.  Suspect the “women and children should hide their eyes” as this will be a war.

12 hours ago, BEChargers said:

Sowells did not play against Bullitt East.  He was in street clothes and had a slight limp. 

Thanks, I didn't know exactly which ones were injured. That's tough if he can't go for them.

He wasn't limping a lot and didn't have a boot on or using crutches.  So I would guess just precautionary.  

I'm going with Manual in a close one.

Manual - 27

Male - 21

I lean towards a Manual win based on this info.

Those are two big losses for Male. A lot more weight is now on Harris' shoulders.

Male 28-26.

Manual vs. Male
November 1st, 2024 7:00 PM ET
Pregame Coverage at 6:30 PM
Live from Male HS
Commentators:
Chris Labar & Deon Reese
Game Notes:
142nd playing of “The Old Rivalry”
Both teams are 8-1
Male leads series 90-45-6, and has won last 10 matchups

https://www.glicod.com/video-stream-2/

As much as this Male/Manuel rivalry means for both teams and their players, I think both coaches will error on the caution side in playing injured players.  They each have their eyes on the bigger prize that is not out of reach for either with healthier teams.  Especially in Male’s situation with RB Burton and OL Johnson out for the season they can’t get past 3rd round without a fully healthy QB Williams, OL Sowells and OL Jewells.  As dynamic as Harris is without his OL and a QB throwing it to him the Bulldogs are in trouble.

Louisville Male Bulldogs Football on Facebook:

Best week of the year is here…It’s Rivalry Week!

Here is information on tickets and gates for Friday’s game at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. This game will sell out.

#GreatAmericanRivalrySeries #wearemalehigh #ForTheH #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights

10 hours ago, theguru said:

Manual vs. Male
November 1st, 2024 7:00 PM ET
Pregame Coverage at 6:30 PM
Live from Male HS
Commentators:
Chris Labar & Deon Reese
Game Notes:
142nd playing of “The Old Rivalry”
Both teams are 8-1
Male leads series 90-45-6, and has won last 10 matchups

https://www.glicod.com/video-stream-2/

 

Male Bulldogs (8-1, 6A #1)

Antonio Harris (ATH) - With bodies dropping in piles, it might fall on his shoulders to make or break this game for the Dawgs. The team's leading receiver and second in rushing, totaling 829 combined yards and 13 TDs. Committed to UofL. 

Andrew Vrbancic (TE) - Second behind Harris in touchdown catches with 4. A big body (6’3”/230) who's a major asset to Male's run game as a blocker.

Conley, White, and Williams - The core of Male's front seven, with Conley patrolling the middle of the defense and White and Williams the bookends of the line. They've combined for 19 TFL and 7 sacks, plus six turnovers created.

 

Manual Crimsons (8-1, 6A #3)

Gerian Traynor (RB) - A game changer if he's a go. Traynor averages 116 yards from scrimmage and ran for 184 against St. X. He hasn't suited up for the Crimsons since that night two games ago.

Kaden Mack (QB) - Seventeen combined touchdowns passing and running with only two interceptions thrown in nine games. Another clean sheet would be a major plus for Manual's chances of hoisting the barrel.

Cameron Jessee (DE) - Leads the Crimsons in TFL (15) and sacks (5), plus he's chipped in a pair of touchdown catches. Could be in for a high impact night if Sowells is out. Offers from Yale and EKU.