Could be a very close game, yet the Tiger D will prevail. Manual O can give us some fits but I think we may have learned how to stop that delayed draw.... Should be a very competitive game. I look for some surprises from the Manual team as well...... One would have to think that this is the game they have been "waiting for" all season long.... Playing at X will not be easy for the Crimsons. For Manual to win, must start out on top and stay ahead with a very good defense. The same has to be said for the Tigers, start out on top early and let the defense bring it home.... Looking forward to the pregame (GRC) festivities, brats and burgers, game time in the new stadium and the wrap up back in the park, after the game. Hopefully it will be nice and cool for the game.

If Manual wins, I'm looking forward to hearing one thing...

 

"Whose house? OUR HOUSE!"

 

I like that this game is getting the kind of attention it is. It's good to see Manual building a solid foundation of good games with the best in the state. Though it'd be GREAT to see them win this.

Manual has great fan support this year... and from what I understand it won't be very difficult to fill the visitor stands at X (this is my first chance to see it.)

 

It will be an overflow crowd.....and this will be the first real time that a group of visitors are displeased about their sightlines to the action on the field.

Monday, 1:00 pm Eastern

 

65 responses, 962 views.

 

Going to be a fun week...

 

When was the last time Manual has really been given this much of a "chance" to win this game?

St. X defense, special teams and balanced offense will be very difficult to beat. Will Manual's speed be enhanced playing on the artificial surface? If so, will this even be a factor? Manual will have to create points and great field position with its kick return game in order to have a chance. Getting loose against the St. X defense for big plays is not to be counted on. I think St. X advances and wins by two scores.

It will be an overflow crowd.....and this will be the first real time that a group of visitors are displeased about their sightlines to the action on the field.

 

Come early and grab a seat on the big side where there are more seats than every stadium except maybe Manual.

 

Go Tigers

Will Manual's speed be enhanced playing on the artificial surface? If so, will this even be a factor? Manual will have to create points and great field position with its kick return game in order to have a chance. Getting loose against the St. X defense for big plays is not to be counted on. I think St. X advances and wins by two scores.

 

I have a few points regarding this game-First -the not so good signs 1) No Deuce for a breakaway TD- every yard will be earned 2) Zoeller's ankle injury and he hasn't shown the breakaway speed like he did against Manual in the first game. 3) In 8 of the 11 games, Manual's defense has held opponents to 14 points or less. 4) Inexperience in the punt game could be a factor like the first game between these two. 5) St X has trailed at home in every non- Butler, Oldham County game. Ballard, Cov Catholic and I think PRP led X at one time in their games. Teams get psyched to play at the stadium and St X comes out flat for whatever reason. They cannot afford to do that against the Crimsons. 6) There is nothing that would make Manual seniors happier than to beat Male and St X in the same year especially St X transfer Rhayven Smith. St X sent Manual home last year as the Rams had to use their freshmen 3rd string QB to finish the game. I think the Rams want to return the favor this year.

 

The good signs- 1) Zoeller had success throwing the ball against Manual first game. 2) Jeremiah Neal has shown good flashes against Butler and could be a temporary fix along with Joe Montano. 3) Defense had 3 scores against Butler 4) With the exception of Deuce, all of the team is as healthy as healthy can be for the 12th game of the season. This could be the first time since Male that no defensive starters are missing. 5) These teams met as freshmen and X squeaked out an overtime win in the first game at Manual. They played again and it was 30-0 at St X on the old field behind the school, or the site of the new stadium. 6) Will Simmons has come alive since Deuce has been injured with 3 deep TD receptions in the last 2 games. Using his track speed can stretch the defense.

 

With Deuce out, will Manual go back to a normal looking defense or still stack the box with 8- 9 players like Central and Cov Catholic?

As to speed, I have seen Tim Phillips of Trinity caught from behind with Connor Hale and D J Hall caught the Butler RB from behind last week and eventually blocked the FG attempt. But the Manual team showed great speed against Male on the turf.

 

What a great matchup. I am looking forward to it.

It will be very strange seeing the Tigers play Manual at St.X! Will the Rams fill the visitors side/ what kind of fans support do they have this year? A new tradition begins with play-off games at home.

 

From what I've heard it won't take many people to fill the visitors side at X. :ylsuper:

From what I've heard it won't take many people to fill the visitors side at X. :ylsuper:

 

There is seating capacity (some schools state their capacity including standing room along the fence) for 1000 on the visitors' side. This is as big or bigger than others in Jefferson County with the exceptions of Manual and Male. The seats are 6 rows deep and extend for 106 yards. So far no visiting school has filled more than half of the available seats (including Trinity freshmen and JVs).

Post #82 listed some reasons why Manual has a chance in this game but they seemed to be somewhat generic and not specific. I ask all the X faithful: What in Manual's arsenal, offensively and defensively, is likely to cause X problems? Can Manual withstand X's physicality? Can Manual score on X? Where, if at all, does Manual cause match-up problems? Compare special teams. Surely, X has better depth. In other words: HOW DOES MANUAL BEAT X?

Wasn't Manual fortunate to be in the first game, i.e. X had a special teams snafu on their own 1, etc.???

Wasn't Manual fortunate to be in the first game, i.e. X had a special teams snafu on their own 1, etc.???

 

I recall that being the case, although I did not attend the game.

Tigers by 4 TD's - They have the numbers - They have the coaching - They have home field advantage - Manual will struggle to stay close until 1/2 time and then Finch/montano/insert name will score whenever they feel like it.

Post #82 listed some reasons why Manual has a chance in this game but they seemed to be somewhat generic and not specific. I ask all the X faithful: What in Manual's arsenal, offensively and defensively, is likely to cause X problems? Can Manual withstand X's physicality? Can Manual score on X? Where, if at all, does Manual cause match-up problems? Compare special teams. Surely, X has better depth. In other words: HOW DOES MANUAL BEAT X?

 

Specifically, Harness is the key. He had a off night the first time and missed several open receivers IMHO. Cooper and Crosby were open across the middle.

When X played Manual previously, Smith was the main back. What is scary about Manual is D J Hawk becoming more of a force and now you have to respect 3 options, Harness, Smith and Hawk running the ball besides the passing to Cooper and Crosby. In 2005 Manual was scary and had weapons in their backfield. I see this team just as good running the ball and being just as capable passing the ball.

Manual has great fan support this year... and from what I understand it won't be very difficult to fill the visitor stands at X (this is my first chance to see it.)

 

I went to X's new stadium for the first time last week. VERY NICE. But if every Crimson brings two parents to the game the visiting side will be full.