What happened with Manual here? I know that you guys are major Nichols' apologists, but at this time of year he always seems to lay an egg. Granted top to bottom X is a better team, but to get blown out by three scores? Let us not forget the ho hum 21-20 game against a lackluster PRP team last week. I like what Nichols is doing with the Crimsons, but he has to find a way to sustain momentum into November (the most important month of the season).

What happened with Manual here? I know that you guys are major Nichols' apologists, but at this time of year he always seems to lay an egg. Granted top to bottom X is a better team, but to get blown out by three scores? Let us not forget the ho hum 21-20 game against a lackluster PRP team last week. I like what Nichols is doing with the Crimsons, but he has to find a way to sustain momentum into November (the most important month of the season).

X lived in Manual's backfield. No adjustment could stop it (misdirection, up the gut, quick slants, long bombs, tosses, sweeps, traps, screens, they all were tried.) If you didn't see it, you probably can't believe how thoroughly the Tigers destroyed the offensive line for Manual.

 

There's no way to lay this at Joe's feet. X completely owned up front.

There's no way to lay this at Joe's feet. X completely owned up front.

 

So with an all state lineman, and arguably their most talented skill kids they've had, they couldn't do ANYTHING? Not buying, where the great coaches sepersate themselves is how they can adjust to what is given, and believe me, things are ALWAYS given, be some dumps, jet sweeps, etc....you have to find them. Nichols never seems to make adjustments offensively, including when he is up and has a game put away.

So with an all state lineman, and arguably their most talented skill kids they've had, they couldn't do ANYTHING? Not buying, where the great coaches sepersate themselves is how they can adjust to what is given, and believe me, things are ALWAYS given, be some dumps, jet sweeps, etc....you have to find them. Nichols never seems to make adjustments offensively, including when he is up and has a game put away.

They tried it all. I mean it, everything. When the ball was snapped, there was a Tiger back there.

So with an all state lineman, and arguably their most talented skill kids they've had, they couldn't do ANYTHING? Not buying, where the great coaches sepersate themselves is how they can adjust to what is given, and believe me, things are ALWAYS given, be some dumps, jet sweeps, etc....you have to find them. Nichols never seems to make adjustments offensively, including when he is up and has a game put away.

 

It was simply one of the best defensive performances in many years!

So with an all state lineman, and arguably their most talented skill kids they've had, they couldn't do ANYTHING? Not buying, where the great coaches sepersate themselves is how they can adjust to what is given, and believe me, things are ALWAYS given, be some dumps, jet sweeps, etc....you have to find them. Nichols never seems to make adjustments offensively, including when he is up and has a game put away.

Yet another Trinity fan threadjacker that still doesn't understand a key point.

Nichols doesn't call the offense. You guys (T) always hunt for offensive mistakes and lay them on Nichols, wrong side of the ball. It's a shame that you guys are so threatened by Joe that you feel the need to attack him whenever you get a chance often bringing up old examples from years ago and also almost always an offensive example.

Get over a young Coach saying the better team lost, he was a frustrated young coach that night and didn't have the experience to hide his disappointment. Read Jason Frakes story from last night, Nichols was very complimentary of the Tigers (and even Trinity too).

 

I'm not throwing the OC (Gary Weiter) under the bus here, he does a good job of putting the offensive gameplan together and play calling. This year was probably his best season with a balanced attack that against most defenses could both put together long drives or go for a quick strike or big play. Unfortunately we had to play St. X twice and they were the better team.

I don't think enough credit was given to the St. X offense last night. While yes the defense was dominant, the offense was innovative with lots of wrinkles and different things uncharacteristic of a Tiger running team. They were able to get the passing game not only going but looking good and the running back by committee that replaced Finch also performed well.

Yet another Trinity fan threadjacker that still doesn't understand a key point.

Nichols doesn't call the offense. You guys (T) always hunt for offensive mistakes and lay them on Nichols, wrong side of the ball. It's a shame that you guys are so threatened by Joe that you feel the need to attack him whenever you get a chance often bringing up old examples from years ago and also almost always an offensive example.

Get over a young Coach saying the better team lost, he was a frustrated young coach that night and didn't have the experience to hide his disappointment. Read Jason Frakes story from last night, Nichols was very complimentary of the Tigers (and even Trinity too).

 

I'm not throwing the OC (Gary Weiter) under the bus here, he does a good job of putting the offensive gameplan together and play calling. This year was probably his best season with a balanced attack that against most defenses could both put together long drives or go for a quick strike or big play. Unfortunately we had to play St. X twice and they were the better team.

You're to close to the situation to be objective. I am using Nichols because he is the head cheese. So it all does fall on his shoulders. Secondly, I didn't threadjack anything as this relates 100% to this thread topic. Sorry about the loss, better luck next year.

I'll say this as a Trinity fan: If T meets X again, we better find a way to hold our own in the lines. We did not do a good job at all in that area in the first game. So, I don't believe it is just Manual or Nichols. I daresay X has whipped probably all their opponents like that this year.

We don't not play straight up against people much anymore.....we use more mis-direction and getting our athletes into spaces...can we do that against X? Who knows, there's too much work to do ahead of time until we find out.

What happened with Manual here? I know that you guys are major Nichols' apologists, but at this time of year he always seems to lay an egg. Granted top to bottom X is a better team, but to get blown out by three scores? Let us not forget the ho hum 21-20 game against a lackluster PRP team last week. I like what Nichols is doing with the Crimsons, but he has to find a way to sustain momentum into November (the most important month of the season).

X's defense dominated this game, there really isn't another storyline to follow. Every play was covered and well read, Manual needed to make exceptional plays to get anything at all, they didn't and the defense couldn't hold out without any support.

Congrats Manual on a great year. Manuals coaching staff is to be complemented. Manual came into the game prepared and played as if they belonged in the 2nd round and ranked in the top 5. The St. X defense played well. As did the X O. Manual has nothing to be ashamed of and had an excellent year. The Manual coach noted that they are tring to get on the level of X and T. They are not there yet, although, they are going to work harder to get there....... I think that has been the resounding message from many posters as to why X and T enjoy the success they have. For Manual, 10 - 2 is an excellent year.

 

If one wants to be critical, discuss Ballards performance against the Rocks....

Congrats Manual on a great year. Manuals coaching staff is to be complemented. Manual came into the game prepared and played as if they belonged in the 2nd round and ranked in the top 5. The St. X defense played well. As did the X O. Manual has nothing to be ashamed of and had an excellent year. The Manual coach noted that they are tring to get on the level of X and T. They are not there yet, although, they are going to work harder to get there....... I think that has been the resounding message from many posters as to why X and T enjoy the success they have. For Manual, 10 - 2 is an excellent year.

 

If one wants to be critical, discuss Ballards performance against the Rocks....

 

As I predicted! Both games would be a romp! Manual is by far, a lot better team than Ballard. The scores in in these games reflected that. Congrats to the tigers on a fine win.

I know that this is off the beaten path but, I saw a picture in the Courier-Journal where X's kicker was using a Nike football. I was under the impression that only the Rawlings brand with the KHSAA stamp could be used in the playoffs. Anyone in the know about this rule? Is it outdated or maybe it never existed?

Good question! I scanned through several of pictures in the Courier Journal online and noticed a close up of the St. X QB also using an older Nike football. I do not know about now but a few years back it was said that ONLY Rawlings ST-5s were to be checked in "especially" for the playoffs.

 

I saw Nikes as well as the Wilson GT ball used at various times this season. Like alot of other things, I guess there is no real "definitve' rule. Do not know what it matters (Brand wise) as long as everyone is using a NFHS approved football.