Who was the better team this year, Ryle or St. Xavier?

 

Why?

I'll answer it this way first. If I had to pick which team I'd want T to play for the title, I'd pick Ryle. There is too much history and emotion in T vs. X games... anything can happen. Now, to the heart of your question This was a down year for St.X (IMO), this was an up year for Ryle (IMO), if the two played at a neutral site I'd still give St. X the win because they showed they could stop running games and passing games (the likes of Manual, Ballard, PRP, etc.). St. X had a very potent running attack (with more than one back). Granted I did not see Ryle play, but the totality of their schedule doesn't really sway my thinking. It would be a quickly played game with all the rushing attempts, and probably rather boring. Give me the Tigers in a 21 - 17 grind-em out game.

Having seen both teams, St. X wins over Ryle. As great as Derek Bishop is, the St. X two prong running attack is tougher to stop. It is Trinity's passing game that opens up the Trinity running game.

Neither team features the forward pass (which, as many know, has been legal in football since the 1920s, I believe), so IMO the question becomes , Who has the better rushing attack and defense? I think it is very close this year but I would rate X a notch higher than Ryle because I think they have more team speed including break away threats. I know that Ryle played T tougher than X did this year but if I had to lay a dollar on who would wn at a neutral site with competent officials, I would say X.

Ryle fans will disagree, but St. X is big and physical up front. They would control the line of scrimmage and beat Ryle by a TD. With that said, if they did play, it would be the fastest game ever. All run and no pass will do that.

Which is why Ryle won't be able to beat a team like Trinity. The whole running attack style, works great in NKY. However to beat a great team like Trinity, you have to be able to mix it up. That is why last years Simon Kenton team, was the best chance NKY had to get a 6A Championship, because they could do both.

I'm going to go with Ryle in a close one. I think this was Ryle's best team ever, and St. X had one of their worst team's in recent memory. X barely beat PRP, Male and Ballard and trailed at half to Seneca. Ryle's defense played Trinity tougher than X did either time. Finally, Ryle has a much better passing game than X.

I know you can't compare scores, but I think Ryle would pose a lot of problems for St. X.

 

Offensively they would be able to pass the ball with much more accuracy compared to going up against a Trinity secondary that is quick and athletic at every position.

 

Defensively, Ryle has shown they can stop the run all year. It wouldn't change against St. X.

 

I'd take the Raideres in a close one.

Ryle by just a little. While their passing game was less then stellar, Ryle's pass attack was heads and shoulders above X's. If Ryle's D played like they did last night they nose X out.

I'm going to go with Ryle in a close one. I think this was Ryle's best team ever, and St. X had one of their worst team's in recent memory. X barely beat PRP, Male and Ballard and trailed at half to Seneca. Ryle's defense played Trinity tougher than X did either time. Finally, Ryle has a much better passing game than X.

 

I am 100% with you on this one. Ryle had more variety on offense and their defense was much more capable than X's. After going to both X games and the one last night I would say Ryle wins.

Guru CovCath also played both St. X and Ryle so I will chime it since I have seen both play!

 

I would go with Ryle over St. X. Ryle was tougher; meaning they ran over you and hit you while St. X just ran past you. Ryle would beat St. X IMHO.

I'll say St. X over Ryle this year. St. X has not lost to a Kentucky team other than Trinity since 2006. Until someone in Kentucky shows that they can beat X or Trinity it is useless to say so in these threads. Ryle had a chance last year to beat St. X and came up on the short end of a 66 - 17 score.

Which is why Ryle won't be able to beat a team like Trinity. The whole running attack style, works great in NKY. However to beat a great team like Trinity, you have to be able to mix it up. That is why last years Simon Kenton team, was the best chance NKY had to get a 6A Championship, because they could do both.

 

Who in N. Ky. has a "running attack" style besides Boone and Ryle? The vast majority of the good N. Ky. schools throw the ball around quite a bit.

 

As to the topic, I think I would go with Ryle. As others have siad above - one of Ryle's best teams, St. X. is down and Ryle's defense has been up to the task in the tough games. How many games this year did Trinity have only 7 points at halftime?

^NCC

Who in N. Ky. has a "running attack" style besides Boone and Ryle? The vast majority of the good N. Ky. schools throw the ball around quite a bit.

 

As to the topic, I think I would go with Ryle. As others have siad above - one of Ryle's best teams, St. X. is down and Ryle's defense has been up to the task in the tough games. How many games this year did Trinity have only 7 points at halftime?

 

Wasn't it 7-7 at halftime of their last game against St. X?