Who wins this game? This is a very young rivalry - only the sixth meeting between the two schools - but what it lacks in history, it more than makes up for with intensity.

 

3A North Oldham (2-2) was whipped in the first two meetings in 2005 & 2006, but rebounded to win three in a row over the 5A South Oldham Dragons (3-1). The series at a glance:

 

2009 North Oldham 31 South Oldham 7

2008 North Oldham 35 South Oldham 27

2007 North Oldham 30 South Oldham 22

2006 South Oldham 49 North Oldham 7

2005 South Oldham 56 North Oldham 0

 

This year's game will be played at South Oldham. The Dragons, under first-year coach Jamie Reed, have already matched last year's victory total with three wins, and are playing very well. Their only loss was to a district rival of North's, 3A Henry County, who preserved their one touchdown win over South when the Dragons fumbled inside the five yard line in the final seconds of the game... South has wins over 5A Woodford County in OT, 4A North Bullitt, and 5A Waggener. South has played two nailbiters, with the OT win over Woodford and the narrow loss to Henry.

 

North Oldham, under fifth-year coach Billy Martin, is 2-2 with wins over 3A Moore and 1A Trimble County, and losses to top 10 2A Christian Academy of Louisville and 5A Jeffersontown. Unlike South, North has not played in a close game all season, beating Moore 56-18 and Trimble 60-0, while losing to Jtown 26-7 and CAL 37-6. The CAL loss was North's worst loss since 2006.

 

Team health may be the deciding factor; North has already dealt with a bevy of injuries, and hopes to get back star running back Zach Evans, who rushed for over 260 yards in the season opener against Moore, was injured on his fourth carry in the second game against Jtown, and hasn't returned since.

 

For South, they look to see if they can get continued solid play from sophomore QB Jack Sherry, who has become something of a throwback player; he runs, passes, kicks FGs and PATs.

 

Who wins this game, and why????

Since I will be broadcasting this game on the Pegasus Sports Network for both schools, I'll choose discretion as the better part of valor. I'll refrain from picking a winner.

 

That said, I think South will be labeled as the prohibitive favorite, if for no other reason than the fact that North is struggling with several critical injuries.

 

Just not saying what my personal prediction is, other than the fact I think this will be a really fun game to watch.

 

If you can't go, listen on http://www.pegasussportsky.com (click on either the South or North logos to go to the broadcast page...) You can listen to the game live or later as an archive...

I'm sure it's quite obvious which colors I fly.

That said. I would think South should have an edge on paper. They played Henry Co. tough and except for Waggener have played respectable teams pretty well.

The injuries and inexperience at North still have Coach Martin moving puzzle pieces around to find good working parts to a very young team.

Still too early to get a fix on how good North can be but the key seems real obvious. The offense does one thing very well in using the speed in the backfield, but it must begin to execute in some other ways as well. It doesn't have to do other things great but well enough to keep a defense honest and well enough to keep a decent team from creating a firebreak by reads off just a couple of formations. The talent is there to do this but it's so inexperienced that getting all the pieces moving together and with confidence is a challenge.

 

A receiver or two stepping up with a QB rolling out with some timing and North should open up quite a bit.

When you look at just how young the starters and the backup's are for North you realize there may be something really exciting building here for the next few years but this year will require some kids growing up quickly and a different attitude and toughness to develop from within.

 

I'll call it a 24 - 16 North upset to get back on track.

Win or lose North needs a solid game to build on. A CAL type loss would be devastating to the building process.

 

Always a great rivalry game!

These teams apear to me to be very similar offensively. They should read each other pretty well. Turn overs and special teams could make the difference in this game.

North by two scores!

South should win this rivalry game at home. They are much improved this year. North still trying to find the right combinations. Mustang Nation says North must develop "a different attitude and toughness". Ther's that word again, Knute. Others realize it, too.

Lots of views on this thread, but not much voting...

The South will rise and do it again by one.