Manual kicked of 2025 with a dominating 42-0 win over perennial 3A power Central. The Spartans flexed their offensive muscle this week, out-scoring Bryan Station in a 56-35 victory. Will the Crimson defense or Spartan offense prevail?

Manual slows down the Spartan offense and wins by a couple scores. 

South warren got a nice win over station, and even though I believe manual to be a top team, I’m going to stick with south Warren here.

South Warren 32

manual 26

I’ll go with South Warren. Line play being the decider. 
 

28-21 Spartans. 

I’m gonna take a chance and say this will not be that close. Similar feel to X-Owensboro to me. Gerian Traynor is absolutely electric out of the backfield. This game was a blowout last year. I could be completely wrong but I think Manual takes this one 35-14.

I think Manual rolls. Manual is a championship contender and vastly better than Bryan Station.

6A South Warren (1-0) at 6A DuPont Manual (1-0)

One of the better games of the week right here!  This will be only the third meeting between these 2 teams.  These teams are opposites in many ways including:

1.       School formation (South Warren opened its doors in August 2010 and this is its 16^th varsity season) (DuPont Manual opened its doors in 1892 and this is it’s 133rd varsity season).

2.       Head Coaches Tenure (South Warren’s Brandon Smith has been at South since the 2014 season and this will be his 12^th season at South Warren) (DuPont Manual’s Head Coach Keith Eckloff has been Manual’s head coach for only the 2024 season).

3.       Manual has been in the top classification from the beginning whatever the classification might have been over the years.  This will be the first season South Warren will be playing in the largest classification of 6A. 

These teams are similar in many ways too including:

1.       Both teams likely feel they ended their 2024 season too early with Manual falling in the second round at home to upstart Great Crossings 38-21 and the Spartans falling in a very close Black Friday Semi-Final Game at home vs rival Bowling Green 31-28. 

2.       BGP Poll Rankings – Both teams come in highly ranked in the initial BGP polls (South Warren #6 and Manual #3 in the 6A Poll).

3.       Both teams have stingy defenses.  South typically hangs their hat with stopping the run and has historically been very successful at doing so.  But that wasn’t against 6A schools.  The 2024 Manual defense was very stout.  They only lost 2 games all season.  They only gave up 21 points 4 times and lost 2 of those.  They both hope to continue that strong defensive trend.

4.       Both teams have aspirations to make strong runs in the playoffs.  Manual’s schedule is much tougher however with games against St Xavier, Frederick Douglass, Atherton, Cooper, Bullitt East and Male to round out the year.  South does play Bowling Green and Pulaski County before district tilts with Meade County, Central Hardin and Daviess County and end the season vs 4A Logan County. 

DuPont Manual Crimsons Information

This should be a terrific game.  When looking at the Manual Offense vs the South Warren Defense, the status quo is that Manual would like to run the ball with star RB Gerian Traynor (who had a BIG game against Louisville Central) behind a very good Oline.  South Warren has built their program around stopping the run and they are very good at it as mentioned above.  Can Manual signal caller Kaden Mack make plays for Manual through the air?  I think it will be critical for Manual to makes plays through the air to win.

South Warren Spartan Information

When looking at the South Warren Offense vs the Manual Defense, South Warren doesn’t have a seasoned QB returning this year.  So, in tough games like this it is going to be very interesting to see how South calls this game from a play-by-play selection.  More run than pass?  We will see!

Game Preview

This game was supposed to be the second ever game at historic Manual Stadium on the new turf field.  But it will be the second push back and played at Southern High School (located in Louisville) since the new field is not complete yet.  A lot I could say here, but it’s all negative, so just moving on.    

This is a tough game to call.  It’s a Manual Home game, but Manual isn’t really playing at home.  South still has a bus ride though.  Manual has the seasoned QB.  That has to count for something.  Both teams should have excellent lines.  An early turnover could certainly turn the tide here.    

If South wants to be taken seriously this season in 6A, I think they need to show up and keep this a respectable game.  Manual didn’t have much problem with South last season at South Warren 35-7.  It should be said that South played well at Manual in 2023 falling 38-35.  Both my daughter graduated from Manual, so I’ll be pulling for the Crimsons in this game!

Game of the week no doubt!

I thought the 56 points the Spartans scored against Station was rather impressive, but I am surprised they let up 35 points. Should be a very good game, wish it was in Bowling Green would love to see this one in person. I’ll predict a repeat of that 2023 matchup.

Crimsons 38 Spartans 35

Which JCPS field is hosting this game?  Assuming Manual Stadium still not ready. 

12 minutes ago, MBKT said:

Which JCPS field is hosting this game?  Assuming Manual Stadium still not ready. 

@Purple88 said Southern, I’d take his word.

12 minutes ago, MBKT said:

Which JCPS field is hosting this game?  Assuming Manual Stadium still not ready. 

Southern High School on Preston Hwy. in Okolona. Grass field, aging stadium. Not the best venue for this matchup, but it is what it is.

1 minute ago, TheBallCoach said:

@Purple88 said Southern, I’d take his word.

That is what I heard.  They could switch it also.  Not 100% certain.

15 minutes ago, NLTanker1 said:

Southern High School on Preston Hwy. in Okolona. Grass field, aging stadium. Not the best venue for this matchup, but it is what it is.

Thanks. The hits keep on coming for JCPS. 

Game at Southern.

Give me Manual 42-21.