Male (9-2) will host Ballard (5-6) after beating Eastern 49-7. Ballard is coming off a 35-7 win over Bullitt East. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Previous meeting: Male 49-21 on 8/30.

In the game against Ballard earlier this season, Male RB Chayce Burton had a monster game with 214 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, but he is injured so RB Shelton Sweeney is now getting the bulk of the carries as he had 16 rushing attempts and 51 yards against Manual. WR/RB Antonio Harris rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns against Ballard in the earlier meeting. The defense was led by LB Solomon Conley with 6 tackles and DB Colin Jefferson had two interceptions.

Ballard in the earlier meeting with Male was led by QB Larry Irvin who threw for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns plus rushed for 18 yards. WR Daelyn Thompson had 95 yards receiving and 1 touchdown. LB Santee Brock led the defense with 15 tackles.

This looks to be a more competitive game than the first meeting with RB Chayce Burton out injured for Male and Ballard has improved since the first meeting. Can Ballard pull the upset or does Male make it 4 wins in a row over the Bruins?

I believe this game will see MUCH lower scoring than their meeting earlier this season, and, Male will have their hands full this time vs the Bruins. This should be a very close and very competitive game. 

Male beat Ballard handsomely earlier in the season when they were 100% healthy.  Now, QB1 out, RB1 out, 3OLineman either hobbled or out.  Last week against Manuel they could generate only 85 yards in total offense.  This week they had a running clock against Eastern without throwing a pass in the 1st qtr.  Scored TDs on 3 consecutive plays….15 yd rush, pick 6, and fumble recovery all within about 25(?) seconds of clock time.  Not sure the Dawgs are sound enough to move on to 3rd round.

Male 35-14.

Since the injuries, Male beat Bullitt East 30-20 and Ballard demolished Bullitt East so wouldn't be a shocker if Ballard won. 

Healthy I am picking Male. But I don’t think the Bulldogs are anywhere near full strength unfortunately. If they were I could see them playing in Kroger. 
 

Instead I’m going out on a limb with the upset pick.

Ballard 21

Male 14

Male still has some weapons.

Will be interesting to see if they get anyone back this week. Will be low scoring.

I still think Male pulls it off 14-10.

I can't trust Ballard's offense to outscore whatever lineup Male puts out there... Bulldogs 21-7.

4 hours ago, Hungover_in_Andover said:

I can't trust Ballard's offense to outscore whatever lineup Male puts out there... Bulldogs 21-7.

So hope you are right.  Might take something really special and unexpected by Coach Wolfe like Antonio Harris throwing a long bomb to himself.  Going to be a tough game for the injured Dawgs.

I know you're not gonna get the same level of play as the guys who are hurt.. but you'd think a school the size of Male's would be able to have a next man up approach and still be well off. 

10 hours ago, Hungover_in_Andover said:

I can't trust Ballard's offense to outscore whatever lineup Male puts out there... Bulldogs 21-7.

I think I'm in the same boat here. Injured Male is certainly beatable, but is this year's Ballard offense good enough to do it, and do it at Male? I don't think. Male close, 14-7.

I understand Male is wounded and that makes them more dangerous. The experience of the Bulldogs coaching staff is another huge advantage in the playoffs.

I agree with all the above posts. My thoughts are if Ballard can’t get it done now against Male this injured when can they do it? 
 

Male is coached extremely well and they will never be an easy out no matter what. But Ballard impressed me tremendously last week. If they carry that over especially offensively then they can pull it off. 

Also on the NFHS:

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/louisville-male-high-school-louisville-ky/gam00b4777015