Tiggers1

CentreRocks does bring up an interesting point but it's not other fall sports that are detracting from the football program, and I am in no way saying this is The Reason, but it does provide insight pertaining to the cause of 'the gap'. The basketball and baseball teams at saint Xavier have been the beneficiaries of many talented athletes who now 'specialize' in their respective sports. Instead of being a multi-sport athlete, many of saint x's best freshman players now 'specialize' in basketball (mostly) or baseball. Saint x's center for the basketball team this year would have been handed a major D-1 football scholarship on size and speed alone, as a defensive lineman. Instead, he decided to hoop it up on the hardwood. There are 6-8 players who weren't good freshman football players and decided to not play beyond freshman year...they were the top players (talent-wise) on the freshman rosters. Throw in a transfer to Central and a transfer to Jeff in Indiana and that's roughly 10 starter-quality players who didn't progress in the program. I don't know why that has been a trend but it has been trendy to specialize instead of participate in multiple sports. I don't think the wins and losses would have changed between the two programs over the last two years but it would have changed the lopsided scores into closer games, which is what the original 'gap' question was seeking to examine

The gap is large now, as evidenced by T's national ranking. The talent gap grew enormously with this year's senior and junior classes, but it ends there. Those two classes beat St. X Freshman by an approximate combined score of 70+ to 7. The current sophomore and freshman combined for dead even scoring, with Trinity taking the freshman game in 2010 and St. X winning in 2011. Coaching philosophy and access to a full time weight lifting and speed coach (I am sure saint x won't spend the money on a specific faculty position in this area, while trinity does) might come into play regarding the outcomes of future varsity games, the actual "gap" has evened back out, regarding talent. Not too often does a high school field college level trenches in one senior class and then back it up with D-I Running backs, receivers, QB, defensive ends, linebackers and secondary...not to mention multiple prospects that are coveted by the likes of Alabama, Florida, USC. It was/is a very rare combination. Although I am an admitted Tiger fan, I have enjoyed the Rocks success (from a national perspective). However, I do believe that St.X will be competitive next year and will compete to win in 2013. I think those senior rocks on offensive and defensive lines are severely overlooked, due to the stellar specialty players who are juniors. Those lines are what makes the Rocks go and next year they won't dominate other teams in the trenches, as they did this year. Do I think Trinity will be bad next year? Absolutely not. But I do believe that the trinity staff will have to do a yeoman's job of piecing together the trenches, if they want a shot at an undefeated season. The rocks will probably start the season in the top 5-10 teams based on this year's junior class, but the trenches might have to develop as the year goes on. That's my take on the 'gap'.

Doss, huh? Of all the teams you could have chosen? Well played, again, Jim. At least you are consistent in your posts. How about mixing it up. Go with a Trinity assessment or Tiger analysis only, sans subtle verbal jabs that ride the line. I look forward to following your growth as a posting aficionado. And outside of the Tigers-Rocks game, I hope trinity mops everyone on their schedule. I want them to whip everyone not named St. X. If they beat us, I hope they run the table. It's good for our local football. Go Rocks! Starting Saturday morning of course.

Great game. St. X owned the game. Big Plays were decisive for both sides. St. X owned the line of scrimmage and moved the ball at will. Gave up interception on first play of game, giving trinity the ball in red zone. Defense holds. Brooks was bottled up on everything, but two big plays. And he looked like the second coming of Tony Driver...game changer on any given play. Gonna be a star in track and already has an 18 year old frame. St. X turned it over in red zone again at start of second half after gashing Rocks defense to begin second half, already up 21-7. Might have been a route. But Brooks answered for 70 yard scamper. St. X drives length of field and kicks a 38 yard field goal with 5 minutes left. Would have been good from 48. Impressive for freshman specialty game. St. X picks off 3rd and 5 play at mid field and drives down to red zone until victory formation to end it. Classy on both sides. Not many crucial penalties. Great atmosphere for a freshman game. It was fun game to watch, no matter who won. Rocks never quit. Future looks good for Tigers. And Brooks will be a stud. He'll get offers from the big schools for sure. As a Tiger fan, I'm glad Trinity brought Brooks down. We wanted their best product on the field. And he's as advertised.

I just noticed Jim was updating us on the St. X JV results. I posted more insight into the game, asked a question about the rock's other squads and decided to ask about the nickname while I was at it. Didn't seem strange at the time. I'll be sure to post single questions and thoughts next time, to avoid the strange post predicament.

Thanks for taking an interest in the Saint X thread(s), Jim. The score you posted is accurate. But it was more like the Tiger JV team pulled out a thrilling overtime win over a Central team that showcased a large number of players who are juniors (this has been a topic on BGP before...juniors are fair game as far as I'm concerned) and who start varsity (this one is a little dumbfounding to me, especially if a player is playing his "varsity" position at the JV level too). Before anyone says "oh, bologna"...Derius "Pootie" Jones (yes, that is his preferred name) wore #4 for Central and had at least 100 yards receiving for Central on two plays alone. He played defensive back and special teams as well. He's a junior. He has started varsity last year for Yellow Jackets at wide receiver and he attended St. X as a freshman. On Friday night, he will start at the very same positions for the varsity team. I can't understand what Central would gain by beating X in a JV game, but it did provide for a very exciting game. Better than a blowout. And ohhhh were the Central fans hilarious when the teams broke for half-time. Comic relief. I wish I could post some of the things they were yelling across the field. But the end of the game really was a nail biter and fun to watch. Any updates for Tiger fans on the Rocks JV or freshman programs, Jim? When did it become Rocks anyway? I always thought the traditional Trinity mascot was a Shamrock. At least it was back in the 1960-90's at least. Thoughts, Jim?

Yes, Loose Rhythm, many of the freshman coaches are not paid from what I hear. Although I haven't been sent any of their personal W-2's! An A and B squad would be terrific. It would be a hoot to have a B squad schedule and individual practices. Actually, the A squad would probably get better coaching and reps as well. B squad could have one coach, 60 players and have to practice in the gym or parking lot. He/she coaches all positions and serves as the OC/DC and special team's coordinator. That coach wouldn't want any kids or dogs after that season was finished!

Loose rhythm, what changes were made on the frosh staff this year to correct for the poor coaching? I believe St. X frosh lost in the last second to highlands, had an opening 80 yard td called back for a block in the back on the first play of the game and had the starting QB get a concussion in the second quarter and still had a chance to drive for the win on the final drive. They lost to La Salle at La Salle with 2 wr's who stood 6'5" each. Lost to a good Ballard squad when the offense was running out the clock and fumbled the ball on offense and Ballard returned it for the game winning score. Central was tied with less than a minute to play and the tigers knew they wouldn't go to overtime so St. X tried a hurry up passing game and had an interception returned for a TD. There's 4 of those loses that could have easily bounced another direction. I think this year's sophomore class is proving that they have gotten better and are in a position to win now (ie the goal of underclassman learning how to compete. From what I've seen, the coaches in the freshman program are typically qualified and teach fundamentals to be successful in the future, not evaluate a group based on a 9th grade record. Typically, it takes a couple of years to truly evaluate a team's chemistry and develop the right mix of kids. Forgive me if I misunderstood your post, but I have seen the coaches on the freshman level for a number of years and many schools would foam at the mouth to have their credentials and philosophy. Scheme is another matter, but that's not typically in a freshman staff's control. Teach fundamentals and character and let the record take care of itself. No hard feelings, but I wouldn't want readers to have a single perspective on the evaluation of an entire coaching staff based on a freshman schedule that reads 5-5. Those kids won't be 5-5 as seniors, rest assured. But I think you agree on that opinion, based on your above post.

Here is a Saint X fan's prediction: Trinity 49 Boone County 7 ...through the end of the 3rd quarter. If Boone remains one dimensional...Farris will have a 2-3 ypc. No way to predict if he will get 20 or 50 carries. Probably 40+ just to say they had 100+ yard carrier against the rocks. Boone stands "no chance" to be remain close unless they have zero turnovers, force 4-5 from Trinity and throw in a couple of passing wrinkles. Trinity's OC will not be held in check unless they turn the ball over. Trinity's DC will FEAST if Boone decides to run the ball every down. Gotta love the underdog's enthusiasm going into the game though...at least the game will be high energy until the score is 21-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. If I were the BC OC, I would spread the field and throw bubble screens and run jet sweeps to Farris. Might need to go with a half back pass on the first series to try to get a cheap one and keep some kind of momentum.

According to the last post...I sense that a certain Meade County fan thinks that St. X does not take pride in their own "family". How wrong you are. You might want to check the coaching staff of St. X "family members" and coaches who have been a part of the program for umpteen years. You'll never know about the boys who skip college football curfew to watch Saint X versus Trinity. And you certainly have no clue about the sacrifices made by hundreds of young men who could start at most other schools yet resign themselves to special teams or no playing time at all...just to be a part of something special...and that does not refer to a championship trophy. Saint X is about sacrifice for your family. When Meade County hears "we are Saint X" at a deafening level and plays against players that keep their mouths shut and return to the huddle after making a big play....the fans and players will realize that Saint X is no football factory where the green and gold "X" is just a sticker on a helmet. I would like to see a close game, just for fun. I think it will be close. You must have confidence, luck and turnovers to beat St. X. With that being said, too much confidence after the Male win might send the Greenwave packing with a running clock. I doubt that will happen but it is entirely possible. ...Saint X overlooking Meade County...Not even a remote chance of that happening... The greenwave will get the full attention of Saint X's Offense, Defense and Special teams. I do agree with one thing though...GO GREEN!!!

I was on the 1995 team that played Marshall county in the Semi-state game. The state of Kentucky hadn't seen a cloud in the sky for 10 days leading up to the game yet the Marshall county field was a mudpit come game time. That Marshall county team was a pound-the-ball offense and iron curtain defense. Can't imagine where all that moisture came from...I think the field grass received a little extra "TLC" prior to the game to help even out the speed differential.

Jimmyref, I agree with you about a the talent of Boyd and how difficult it may be to stop him. However, the outcome of this game is totally dependent on HC's defensive coordinator. There are very, very few coaches at the high school level who are capable of scheming with Trinity's offense. Add to that Bob Beatty who prepares a GREAT offensive scheme for each week. Although I hate to admit it (since I am a St. X fan) in order to beat Trinity in the playoffs, you have to have turnovers and some luck. Most importantly, you have to be able to score in the 30's, which is nearly impossible for 99% of the teams in the state. My main point: HC better bring more to the table than one talented receiver, because Trinity's defense could stop any GREAT player if he doesn't have any help. The only prediction I am sure of...Boyd will not have a stellar game. Write it down.