Welcome to Ryle aka Union West for a 6A state semifinal matchup that no one would have predicted at the beginning of the season or even at the beginning of the playoffs. GC traveled to Borland Stadium in October and went back to Georgetown with a 36-8 loss. Both teams are playing well with GC taking down Manual in Round 2 and Ryle destroying St. X in that same round. The quarterfinal matchups for both teams were clock runners. The Raiders will not be lulled into thinking the rematch will be a cakewalk. What are your thoughts about this contest Friday night at Ryle?

I think Ryle will be heading to Kroger Field after Friday night. 

I Think Ryle wins but I think GC plays much better this time around. Ryle 28 GC 14

Ryle plays for the title.

I'll go with Ryle by 7. Both teams playing really well right now but Ryle has better defense.

Never thought Ryle could find themselves prey to a TRAP game this deep in the playoffs.  This is a game against a team you have already gashed, you are playing on your home field, you are heavily favored, you previously produced over a 3 to 1 margin through the air and on the ground, after all the real prize is just a quick cruise down I-75 after lightly dusting off GC.  TRAP GAME!

I do believe this one will be closer than the first time around. I think the health of Savage could be pretty important in this game also. Even with Savage not at 100%, I'm still taking the Raiders to make it to Kroger Field next week. 

Ryle - 35

GC - 17

I don't see a trap or letdown. GC beat Manual. Enough said. A high energy and hungry Raiders team welcomes the Warhawks, who have had a solid season. 

I’ve seen a lot of great Ryle teams but this might be the best all around team they’ve ever had.  Ryle has improved every week since the St. X loss, and unless GC has improved exponentially more than Ryle, I think it’s a similar score to last meeting.

Ryle - 41

Great Crossing - 6

Ryle Wins. Not a running clock, but I think they control the game from start to finish.

Ryle continues to play vey business-like football throughout the playoffs.  Great crossing travels to Union on a hot streak but Ryle's disciplined play guides them to another win and a trip to Lexington for a chance to win a state championship.  Safe travels to all!    

Ryle with the running clock and sails to Lexington! 

Ryle 35-14.

Great Crossing is in uncharted territory. They're a pretty new program and I read that they hadn't won a playoff game until this season. There's a lot of excitement and nerves built into that, and it's a lot for a coaching staff to have to keep control of if a team program goes from an all time o-fer record in the playoffs to an appearance in the semifinals of the largest football classification in the state.

It's been a while, but Ryle has been here before. Engler is a seasoned coach. The Raiders have been playing a dominant style of football all season. I think Ryle rolls at home in this one.

If Great Crossing pulls off the upset, that says a whole lot about not only the players they have on their team, but almost as much or more about the coaches they have on their sideline. Good luck to both teams.

I think Great Crossing makes this one a lot closer than the first time around.