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

This will be the fourth time the Crimsons and Spartans have met on the gridiron with Manual winning in 2023 and 2024 and South winning at Manual last year 27-17 (although it was really played at Louisville Southern High School as the Crimsons new turf field wasn’t completed yet at Historic Manual Stadium).  All three previous contests have been good football games with the possible exception of the 2024 game at South with Manual jumping on South early and winning 35-7.  This 2026 matchup sets up two upper half 6A teams that will start to separate what both teams are really looking like this young season.

Dupont Manual Crimsons Information

Head Coach Keith Eckloff begins his 3^rd season at Manual accounting for a 19-5 record with 2 second round playoff bow-outs.  Last year’s 15-14 knife fight loss (2^nd Round of Playoffs) at Male was especially painful.  But hopes are high off West Lee Street with many good football players back for the Crimsons.

According to @Colonels_Wear_Blue , the Crimsons return their starting QB Kaden Mack and their two top receivers in Brayland Miles & Noah Price. They return most of their starting OL/DL.  They have to replace 2025 starting RB Gerian Traynor, but rising seniors Jeremy Presley & Kaden Mack both rushed for 600 yards a piece last year, plus rising junior Julius Bledsaw did a really nice job carrying the ball with almost 150 yards on only 18 carries. On defense, they return 6 of their top 10 tacklers.  The Crimsons also picked up a 6’1” 280 lbs Dline transfer from Trinity (Kolin Baker) so they should be good on the lines.

Manual on opening weekend defeated Louisville Central 36-7. I think Central scored first and then the Crimsons rolled from there. Will be interesting to see how the Crimsons handle this road environment.

 South Warren Spartans Information

The Spartans come into this game on the heels of their 32-9 convincing win over Lexington Bryan Station in the e.Commerce.com Bowl at LCA High School.  QB Camden Page had a great game going 22 for 27 for 253 yards and 4 TDs. I don't know alot more than that, but was told it felt a little closer than the score would indicate but South was never really threatened either.

Game Preview

This should be a very entertaining game as both teams have solid lines and quality QBs with solid skill players.  When that is a given, then things like the kicking game become more important.  I don’t know much of either’s kickers, but keep an eye on which team is getting help in the field position battle thanks to the special teams group. 

Who takes this game in Bowling Green on Friday Night?

Easy win for South Warren!

Manual has the fastest QB in the state. Kaden Mack has run 10.6 in 100m and was AAA State Champion in the 100m. If he gets loose he will be off to the races. I like Manual to win this as they also have a stout defense.

This huge, 6A matchup is one of our Pick 5 Contest games:

Good early-season matchup. Kudos to both teams for scheduling it.

I am going with the home team. JCPS teams typically don't play as well with out-of-town travel.

South Warren in a close one.

2 hours ago, bruin66 said:

Good early-season matchup. Kudos to both teams for scheduling it.

I am going with the home team. JCPS teams typically don't play as well with out-of-town travel.

South Warren in a close one.

Manual thumped the Spartans in Bowling Green two years ago. And, as they say, defense travels. There aren't many teams around as good as Manual on that side of the ball.

I like the Crimsons here.

South is also known for being an elite defensive program, so I could see the score being similar to last year's.

Would like to see this one in person.

Any stream for this game?

3 minutes ago, theguru said:

Any stream for this game?

1 minute ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Thanks @Tigerpride94! I checked there yesterday and clearly missed it. Here is the link everyone and I am super excited about watching this game tonight:

https://stfanclub.com/

Manual has the ball to start and the broadcast is flaking.

3 play drive, Touchdown Crimsons.

7-0

Video is back on, nice broadcast here.

Manual has a lot of nice looking players on the field.