On Friday night, the Trinity Shamrocks and the St. Xavier Tigers will take the field at L&N Stadium in the newest edition of one of the greatest high school rivalries in Kentucky, and nationally.

Trinity, back-to-back defending 6A champions, enter the game with a 4-1 record and coming off a 46-0 blowout victory at rival Male. St. Xavier sports a 4-1 record and is coming off a home 26-24 loss to Elder (OH).

The Shamrocks and Tigers first met on the varsity level in 1956 and the two Catholic rivals have played every year since. Entering Friday night, Trinity holds a 50-41-2 edge in the series. St. Xavier’s Kevin Wallace does have a 3-2 edge versus Trinity’s Jay Cobb.

St. Xavier won last year’s game which was an odd-ball as hurricane rains and wind moved the game to Saturday and to St. Xavier. Marlon Harbin took the opening kickoff back for a TD. The Tigers won 16-10 in a game which (if my memory is correct) they controlled through the final whistle. 

How do we think this year’s rendition will unfold?

I have to go with my Shamrocks in this rivalry battle. Really like what I've seen out of this offense so far.  Johnson is getting better week by week and the Rocks just get deeper in both the running and passing game with every contest. Nate Shields' return is a big lift to a good O-line. Playmakers all over the defensive side of the ball with a nasty D-line and som true athletes in the secondary.

Will this be an easy win for the Rocks? By no means do I think so. I have not been able to watch too much of St. Xavier so far this season but do know the Tigers will be tough. Trimble has impressed as an athletic and mobile QB. Harbin is a known commodity on O and the same is true of Busch on Defense. I expect the two Louisville commits to give the Rocks a ton of trouble. And  as always, the Tigers have athletes and playmakers all over the field.

Fully expect a classic Trinity-St. Xavier battle on Friday night. Think and hope the Rocks pull out the win but will be close. Maybe 1-2 TDs. 

First of all for St. X is they need to quit turning the ball over. They got away with it against teams they were much better than but it bit them in the rear against Elder and you can't beat a team like Trinity if turn the ball over. The punt team also needs work because had a bad snap against Bowling Green and a punt blocked against Elder. 
 

Against the common opponent Male both teams defense shut out Male but Male's offense isn't good so not sure has significance. The one score St. X gave up against Male was a fumble returned for a TD. 
 

I'm sure Trinity hasn't forgotten last year's loss so revenge will be on their mind on top of the rivalry.

St. X struggles with running QB's which most teams do. The Elder QB was a fast shifty runner and ran for over 100 yards. Last year St. X was able to contain Trinity's QB Johnson who is mobile but not really a running QB but has a strong arm. 
 

I think for St. X to win the defense will have to get pressure on Johnson and stop the run. Also, Marlon Harbin will have to have a good game and the offense not turn the ball over.

All the different computer ratings have Trinity around a 7-14 pt favorite. This is also a key RPI game because the loser will have two losses. I think this will be a competitive game and looking forward to it.

Korey had a sack last night plus throws shot on track team and a great young man. I'm happy he got his first offer.

That's going way back. Louisville Redbirds logo on scoreboard. I'm sure John Tong was announcer. Miss that guy.

'ROCKS- 31

Tigers- 10

Making the trip from West Lafayette for this one. Give me the ROCKS!

I see a game similar to last year. The biggest/most important position battle will be between the Trinity DL and the X OL. Can the X OL hold up for four quarters?

I like the ROCKS  29 - 13

 

Trinity and St. X are 1 & 2 in Avg margin of victory.

Strength of schedule rating on Calpreps is:

Trinity: 28.2

St. X : 22.8

If you combine the SOS and Avg margin it shows Trinity 17.2 pts better. 

St. X has won 3 out of last 5 matchups. Trinity has won 6 out of the last 10. Before that Trinity had a dominant run during the 2010's decade.

3 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

If you combine the SOS and Avg margin it shows Trinity 17.2 pts better. 

That's about where I'm at on this one. Competitive, but never really in doubt.

I understand the reasonings, but still a shame. Some of my fondest childhood memories were going from school straight to tailgate.

5 minutes ago, ROCK23 said:

I understand the reasonings, but still a shame. Some of my fondest childhood memories were going from school straight to tailgate.

That's just going to make traffic worse with everybody getting there at 5:00 instead of it being more spread out arrival. 

JV game at 6:00.