DeSales Dad

I wouldn't disagree with that, Snake, but you guys will NEED to be hitting on all cylinders.

CAL's D-Line this year is head and shoulders above DeSales' line from last year. They're a dominant force up front.

I posted this on another link, but it is better here. OK....here goes nothing. This year's CAL team is the best 2-A team I've seen in the last five years, with the POSSIBLE exceptions of DeSales' 2013 team and this year's Mayfield squad. They are big and fierce in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and they will have the two best players on the field. I know how popular that opinion is going to be with the Cardinal faithful, but this should balance it out. I think Mayfield will win the game due to championship experience. This should be a classic - perhaps the best game of the playoff season.

OK....here goes nothing. This year's CAL team is the best 2-A team I've seen in the last five years, with the POSSIBLE exceptions of DeSales' 2013 team and this year's Mayfield squad. They are big and fierce in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and they will have the two best players on the field. I know how popular that opinion is going to be with the Cardinal faithful, but this should balance it out. I think Mayfield will win the game due to championship experience. This should be a classic - perhaps the best game of the playoff season.

Does rain hurt or help either team? Or would it not really be a factor either way? It's going to be close whether or not the rain gets to Louisville before our game is over. Oddly enough, this year the roles are reversed - rain would help CAL more than DeSales.

Picks from the 2015 playoff game between CAL and DeSales.... • I will take CAL, while not as physical, they are physical enough and have more skill guys that can make plays. If I am DeSales, it sure seems there was a lot to take away from the first matchup, don't stop doing what got you where you are, run right at them and use that awesome QB to keep them fairly honest. If DeSales gets into another passing contest the CAL frosh QB and receiver will send the DS coach to a early confession and it will be with the Arch Bishop not the local priest -----Toothpick • CAL 24 DeSales 7 -----UK #1 fan • Based on last meeting and in what fashion.... you have to go with CAL. Last year means nothing. -----Snakesnot_2000 • CAL in a close game. -----Rookie57 • CAL-28 DeSales-7 CAL has a simple game plan, pass, pass, pass. DeSales will really struggle to defend CAL's athletes. DeSales Offense is very predictable and the line has not done a very good job blocking upfront. The offense did look good the second half versus Monroe. Monroe's qb really hurt DeSales, what will Carr do to them? -----Bigshow • I'm going with CAL. -----hrcarrier • This should be a close game if both teams can prevent turnovers and come ready to play which I expect they will. CAL has an incredible defense which will be hard for the Colts to handle. Looking forward to Friday Night! CAL 21 – 10 -----CALPride • Bluegrasspreps Projection: CAL 20 DeSales 14 • CAL 21-20 -----Razor Ramon • CAL by 7. I watched them and Central this year and was VERY impressed. @ND best team we played this season in my opinion after X. -----Vermeer I don't blame anyone for their picks, but the predictions look very similar this year. The poll looks almost exactly the same. I think if the turnovers are even or in DeSales' favor, the Colts win their 5th consecutive regional championship. Let's call it 20-17 for the Colts, and then let's pack the new stadium the day after Thanksgiving!!!

As I say every year before this game, when you're talking about two evenly matched teams, it usually comes down to turnovers. That's assuming all of our guys are able to go - still missing two key players that haven't practiced all week. If they can't go, it will be a tough mountain to climb.

Fair enough. Not trying to stir the pot, especially with a guy named Rambo! :-) Best of luck to both teams.

Yes they did. Am I missing something??? Same question applies to the comment about the 2005 game between OC and DeSales. Not sure what that means either, but DeSales was AWESOME in 1977, just to be clear....

Gotcha. No, I didn't see the game. I was talking about the line discrepancy when DeSales played NH. If OC controlled the LOS against them also, then that answers my question.

I'm intrigued by this game. I am familiar with some of the Mayfield guys and I know that if they were playing Alabama they would feel pretty good about their chances. They have every right to feel that way until someone proves them wrong. I'm trying to figure out the OC crowd. They seem quietly confident. It's interesting. However, I still can't get past the North Hardin game. I know there's been some talk about the QB, but to me it was the dominance on both lines of scrimmage that told the tale. Good luck to both teams Friday!

I believe I read that CAL has a turf field now. Is that correct?

You'd be surprised, SemperFi. I KNOW several of them read it. They may not read the site as a whole, but they read the comments about their game.

Not that any Colts players would ever read a message board.....but see this guys? Sounds like you don't stand a chance! :-)

Hmmm...are you talking about Isaiah Bankhead? He played QB last year against DeSales, but this year they had a different guy at QB. I was under the impression that OC had faced the same QB that we did, but I could be wrong about that. All that being said, DeSales absolutely dominated both lines of scrimmage, so I'm not sure how much of a difference it would have made. Maybe go from a 5 TD difference to a 3-4 TD difference?

Keep in mind...it's a much different point of view for someone like me who does not have a vested interest in the outcome.

I have no idea why this is only the 8th comment on this game and I have made four of them....BUT, since it's too good of a game for such silence, I will host my own CAL vs DeSales smack talking post.... CAL fan - Welcome to the end of the road, Colts! We're due! DD - Same story, different year. Colts by 7. CAL - you must be out of your mind. Have you SEEN Jake Paulson??? DD - yes I have. We plan to run to the OTHER side of the field. CAL - have you SEEN Milton Wright? No chance you can stop him. DD - have you met our coaching staff? We'll be ready. To be continued.....

To the St X fans out there...I can't get to any of the games to see them in person, but just on a results-based basis, X appears to be playing their best football in several years. Would that be an accurate statement?

As someone without a dog in this fight, I have to say I love this guy!!! Every team needs a fan like this. Not only picking his team, but picking them by SIX TOUCHDOWNS! I hear ya, Football Forever!

So.....here we go. The Colts had injuries to two key players Friday. I'm curious to hear whether or not those guys practiced today and/or what their availability will be Friday. If we don't have either of them, our chances are extremely slim. Losing just one of them would still be a big blow. Here's hoping that we at least get a shot at the upset with a full roster....

Well done. Nice synopsis on the Colts. I'm curious whether the second half faux pas Friday is a sign of weakness or if it was a lack of focus that can serve as a wake-up call. I'm hoping it's the latter.

How do you think Mayfield's defense stacks up to last year's defense?

By the way, this game also had one of the oddest officiating calls I have ever seen. DeSales had been in full implosion mode, going from 35-0 to 38-28. They finally put a drive together and scored on first and goal to make it 44-28. Flag on the play. The call was defensive holding so again the Colts breathe a sigh of relief. The extra point team comes out, and LITERALLY right before the snap the whistle blows and the officials gather. We were joking about hearing "The previous play is under further review." Turns out it was! The penalty was CHANGED to a call against DeSales and the points were removed from the board. Then DeSales threw an interception. I'm glad things worked out as they did or there would have been a major stink. Still not sure what happened.

A-ha! I've never come across that because we're the #2 seed every year because CAL beats us but then we beat the other #1. I need more coffee before I start trying to think!!!