Four for the IV

7-St X 5-Trinity 3-Washington Co. 2-Taylor Co. 1-Washington Co. TB-St. X

Central's 2nd year Coach Dantzler seems to know what to do with the program Coach Scroggins built there. He has speed and at least one high quality lineman. 20-7 vs Scott County in a scrimmage may be the most impressive thing they've done. Ukari Baker who is their main burner took the kickoff vs Manual to the house. Manual's returning QB Zach Rectenwald who was a sophomore last year was injured before the game and is out for the year. Manual took the Central kick and gave it to Robbins who is a horse down to the Central 7. Dantzler called time out. Manual had not thrown and would only attempt one pass in the whole game. He packed the box and Central would break two more scores to win 18-0. The Yellowjackets beat Manual 7-0 last year and Manual is clearly better this year though lacking a passing game. The Crimsons upset a 1-0 Fern Creek team this week that was favored by the Courier 33-13 and it was 33-0 after three quarters. I don't know if they threw a pass but Fern Creek has some good football players including some size on their line and their QB Isaiah Hester is a big strong kid with a great arm. With coaching he might be a prospect. Manual had a lot of freshman and sophomores on the field. Freshman Juwaan Northington started at OLB and spelled Robbins late as a RB and was outstanding at both spots. He looks like a stud though only 5'10" and maybe 175 or so. Am I correct that this year is the 70th anniversary of the first 1948 St. X vs Central (then not a KHSAA school because of Jim Crow) football game? I could be a year off and would expect them to make note of that when they play in two weeks at St. X. I think Central has only beaten St. X once in all those years and it was three years ago 20-17 at the last second. They blew one against Coach Wolford the year before that 31-30 somehow too if I recall correctly.

True or False: Bowling Green is 7-3 against St. X the last ten years and St. X would actually be going for their third, not second win in a row? I'm going to check but I think this is right. If Keegan Sullivan the St. X senior 1st stringer QB plays instead of the junior Doug Bodhaine St. X could be a different animal altogether. Bodhaine was a running QB as a freshman and led a talented class to an 11-0 year and then was injured last year. He was predictably wobbly in his first varsity action against DeSales. He made some plays but also turned the ball over four times at least including a really awful interception at the end of the 1st half and a really awful botched option fumble to end the game. He could be fine in the future but had to have that game under the circumstances. Wallace has St. X's offense focused on passing the football because Keegan throws as well as any St. X QB I can recall (maybe not saying he is D1 but there have been some good ones) and St. X has two big, fast and athletic receivers in Harker and Coleman. I have the feeling Bowling Green is very good and will play well. I like St. X at home after a perfect storm at DeSales if their senior QB can play though. Bowling Green 20-17 without him St. X 31-20 with him.

The Tigers OL did not deliver at DeSales twice inside the 5 yard line 1st and goal. Nevertheless the St. X D actually dominated the game. DeSales' winning scoring drive of 62 yards was 18 plays if you count the pass interference call that took them from midfield to inside the St. X 10. Other than that the Colts had 64 yards on 35 plays from scrimmage. The Colts QB Aaron Pfaadt who is clearly a gamer completed three or four passes one of which was tge Hail Mary at the end of the 1st Half for their second score. DeSales was similarly outgained at Butler though, with a similar result.

Doh! Scott County runs the Wing T--three RBs lined up behind the QB and every play starts out looking the same. I cannot recall ever seeing it before only hearing about it. I think my grandfather played on the o line in college for a wing T team back in the days of yore.

Junior Doug Bodhaine #15 I think not Keegan Sullivan. Both teams had second string in as you said.

One of the two kids on the sack was the one SK held on the penalty. :ylsuper:This was mostly St. X's second string in on this first goal line stand but that just means the juniors who are playing varsity as far as I can tell. The class of '20 players are undefeated as freshmen and JVs. James Taylor has rejoined them after a year off at cornerback as has LB JP Reed who was injured last year.

Coach Dantzler faces a big start to the season against Manual next Friday, a team the Yellowjackets beat last year which is going to be better this year. I don't know who Scott County had back but if I recall correctly they run a wishbone offense really well and I thought St. X was fortunate that they made some early mistakes in the playoff game last year and basically spotted the Tigers two touchdowns. Afterwards I thought Scott County was too hasty trying to come back. I think they went for it on fourth down a little far from the end zone once too soon and St. X capitalized on that as well. They matched the Tigers score for score after the first quarter if memory serves me--that offense was effective whether it was a wishbone or something else. Central has several players you would want to get the ball out in space because they are speedy and shifty on one side and speed on D which might be great for playing against an option running offense but Scott County is surely hard to prepare for. Dantzler won consistently for four years running a program in Oklahoma. I think he is under 40 years old and left a Louisiana job after one year to take the Central job last year. That Manual game looks very interesting because Coach Carmony is starting to get some depth and quality on his roster. Finally, if I am not mistaken this year will be the 70th anniversary of the first football game between Central and St. X in 1948 which was kind of a milestone in the desegregation of KY athletics I think. That would have been Coach Meihaus' first year as head coach too.

The problem is that the information people have about football and CTE distorts or magnifies the threat that high school kids may be brain damaged from participating in the sport. There was a study done on about 130 former NFL players who volunteered and 128 of them had CTE. However, when that is reported in the news some facts that put it in perspective are not made clear enough and the result is that a lot of families won't let kids who might otherwise enjoy the game play. CTE is the result not necessarily of a concussion or even a series of serious concussions but more usually of the accumulated impact of many small blows or collisions having little perceptible effect on the brain at the time. Therefore, NFL players are absolutely outliers since they have generally played from childhood through college and beyond. They play more than twice as long on average and they play as men when the blows become much more serious. Even more importantly though it would be a stretch to say that 128 of 130 of those men have what we would call "brain damage." Most of them suffered few effects of which they were aware on a day to day basis. CTE is a constellation of symptoms experienced across many levels. Based on what I've read I likely have CTE due to several serious concussions I had as a young man only one of which was sort of related to football. My wife will tell you I'm a mess but CTE is not the reason. Having CTE does not mean experiencing a Jim MacMahon or Junior Seau level personal tragedy. It is more like a lot of things that a lot of us live with more or less as we get older. Most of those NFL guys would tell you it is not their worst problem I'll bet. To sum it up if youth football is going to be prevented from going the way of the dinosaurs a little more information would help. On the other hand I think the Optimist Leagues in Louisville as opposed to CSAA football are doing just fine.

I agree. My four sons all played some CSAA football. The one who still does started playing in the 6th grade for SSM and finished up with Central Catholic. My youngest did not have much fun playing as a 3rd grader. I tell them I want them to play sports but they should choose which sport they want to play. I have no problem with my youngest not playing football as a 4th grader, or ever again if he doesn't want to, but I think he might enjoy playing more in a few years. When they are only 8 years old the equipment kind of overwhelms some of them and its not much fun playing a game so dominated by coaches at that age. The other thing that I think hurts football is that kids don't play pick up football anymore.

Manual has some nice freshmen joining their program this year as well. Juwaan Northington I think could make an impact this year. The future generally looks good for Scott Carmony's program considering they only had 16 freshman kids come out two years ago. Very tough District though of course if I am not mistaken with St. X and Male.

There have been 18 head coaches in the past 100 years of St. X football. Five were alumni--Will Wolford, the Glazers, Leon Dunagan and Bob Schuhman (who was a '28 like my grandpa). Johnny Meihaus had the second longest tenure after Mike Glazer 1981-2012 and the second most state titles. Meihaus was head coach from 1952 to 1968 and won three state titles, and was a very successful track coach as well. However, he is also a member of DuPont Manual's sports hall of fame and with good reason. He was a star football and track athlete for the Crimsons, and the hero of a really memorable Thanksgiving Day win over Male in 1940. He was not an insider when he became St. X's head coach, and he came from a program which had historically dominated St. X. It was another "outsider", Ray Baer who broke the longest losing streak in St. X football history (14) when he beat Manual in 1947. Mike Stewart won a state title in 1979 for the Tigers as well. While the Glazers could make it seem like the head coach of St. X has been an alumni of the program or an assistant by themselves, its really not the case. Coach Wallace is our 13th head coach from outside the program. Does anyone know why Will Wolford resigned? I am curious as the only thing I have heard is that when he took the job five years was a point he set for himself to decide whether or not he should stay. I have a son playing for the Tigers and Coach Wolford was a success as far as we are concerned. That said we are thrilled about Coach Wallace and can't wait for the season to begin. I really like--among other things--the connection to a legacy from outside of Louisville in the Commonwealth that he brings. I saw the comments about the schedule. I don't think Coach Wallace was being dismissive of the question. There are only ten games a year and Central, Trinity, Male and Manual are inescapable traditions. Bowling Green and Cincinnati St. X I love having on the schedule. PRP is a good local program and school, and DeSales this year will be a lot of fun and is very definitely on the rise. Playing Fairdale every year seems unfortunate for both programs lately. That said, there is not much room for change. The Tigers have played Indianapolis Cathedral as well as Cincinnati St. X by way of prominent teams from other states. Maybe Coach Wallace could schedule two-three such games a year, but maybe his hands will be tied in that regard.

I like Manual to be a little better than you might think given 10-20 with the same players minus departed PG whose name was Britt (also their QB) I think. The Crimsons struggled early when a key senior quit, but definitely improved by the end of the year. Hawkins and Roberts will be a lot for most teams to deal with in the paint. Coach Just tends to improve kids who stay, like Dwayne Sutton. The OT loss to Ballard in the Regional Final his senior year three years ago was a tough end to a year that would have earned the Crimsons some credibility now but for the technical foul called on Jared Harness perhaps. Trinity is overwhelmingly loaded, of course. I can't recall a more formidable looking team at the start of a season in some time, but who knows? St. X is not the only team with nice looking underclassmen coming up and while I don't immediately recognize Ballard's kids, I bet I will when I see them and they will be tough. St. X should have kids who were freshmen last year in addition to Taylor who will contribute, and I think they have a strong freshman squad this year as well. I'm sure the poster who likes Male knows what he is talking about, they are due to make noise. CAL will be tough without Milton. They have a real program and plenty of talent coming up. I also think Coach Settembre will inevitably make Collegiate a factor, but maybe they are a year away. Very interested that CAL picked up Tyler McDaniel. This is one year I like the overall competitiveness of the 6th Region a little more, but there are plenty of games to anticipate in the 7th. Finally, I was struck by Coach Renner's squad last year going 27-7 but 16-0 against region rivals. Ballard was the best in the 7th Region last year, but I'm guessing they lost twice to Fern Creek and wondering who else in KY? I love these articles.

Because the Rocks faked a punt up five scores or so with time running out, I was asking if they were running up the score for any particular reason, or just running up the score. I follow that you think no reason is necessary. I'm aware of people like you, so I guess I should have made it more clear that I was asking if there was a reason in this case, since I'm not aware of any. Of course, there is also the possibility that the description of the play above omits information, and that there was no desire on Trinity's part to run the score up at all, but that wouldn't interest you either so I don't know why I would bring it up.

Wow! Any explanation for the Rocks doing that to the Pioneers?

This is wonderful. Is your sole source the newspaper archives at the library? If so, I am impressed by your diligence and ability to navigate the archives. I actually would like to know the first time anyone knows of that a Louisville high school basketball player was identified in the press as a standout or even the hero of a particular game. You were able to figure out that the dominant, or at least best program of the first decade of Louisville high school basketball was University High School. I gather this was a private school, as you inform us that it bankrupted after the 1912-13 year. I have a lot of questions in this area but I'll limit myself to this: Who is the first star or standout high school basketball player in Louisville history? Can anyone think of someone who predates Ralph Beard, a 1945 Male grad?

I was not able to go to Bowling Green for this one. Heretofore I was mostly worried about the defensive secondary. What do you have in mind? So far this year I would say there are few secrets about what we are up to on offense, but I did not see this one.

James Taylor did not play in the JV game. In fact, he isn't playing football for St. X anymore just basketball. No. 6--one of the two receivers who had big games against the Rocks yesterday--was Andre Coleman, Jr. He is a good player who also plays basketball, but I am pretty sure he has never been on the field for a St. X varsity snap. He is a Junior I think, but he is definitely a JV team player. The other receiver who had a big day was Baelor Bailyn (forgive me if I spell those names wrong) No. #83. He is a sophomore and has never even dressed for a varsity game. With all due respect, as the father of a St. X JV team player who is a sophomore, I think you are incorrect about the kids we played yesterday. We played juniors, but only kids who don't get to play varsity. We played more sophomores, such as my son who played about half the game. Yes, we were surprised to beat the Rocks as soundly as we did, but our freshmen won at Trinity 14-7 in OT last year and we did not have No. #19 at QB, or anything like the passing game we had yesterday. The young man who played QB is a Junior who I had not seen play before yesterday. I will say we look like we will be in good shape at that position next year if yesterdays performance is any indication. On the other hand, Trinity's QB who I think is McCarthy, had about ten passes dropped that could or should have been caught. It made a big difference obviously. I don't know why the Rocks receivers struggled so much, but ours looked better, with Coleman and Bailyn being the most outstanding.

Shearer really spreads it around. Looks like Murray is his main receiver though.

DeSales had a wonderful looking freshman class last year, and a new stadium full of fans for even freshman and JV games I attended. I could not be happier for the school and program. Doug Strothman did a magnificent job there over the past decade. Jordan Watkins was the best looking athlete from that freshman class if I recall correctly. They had some great teams in the pre division years. Unfortunately, the best was probably their 1982 squad with Pete Wentworth at QB, Willie Shelby and Tony Trotter as the RBs and a kicker, Paul McDonough who went on to kick for Louisville. Though the Tigers blew them out in a very muddy Manual Stadium, our team took a ten game win streak into our playoff rematch. The Colts kept it close and McDonough broke our hearts 10-7. They lost to Tates Creek in the state final that year. DeSales put some alumni in the NFL like Chris Dishman but could not compete consistently before divisions. Now they have won two state titles. It may seem like form over substance to some, but I think it may really help a small school survive and thrive in the way DeSales has been able to do lately.

Though I could not attend, I heard Jack Albers played well, but also missed some throws to open receivers that could have been big. I'm assuming the St. X ground attack was formidable. While the big back for Cathedral averaged better than 10 yards a carry, I also heard that St. X got beat deep a couple times again. My source did not do a good job of explaining why St. X won. That looks like a nice win, in a spot where I figured the Tigers to lose so here goes.

They had a record freshman class last year, or so I recall. They had one young man who was really outstanding and played both ways.

So I'm wrong but plausibly close on those numbers, thanks. Sergent is shifty and has some burst, but maybe not size. I remember Murray as fairly long? Was he/#3 the one who got behind us when Shearer got everything flowing to his left, including our deep coverage unfortunately, pivoted and hurled it to him on about the ten on the other side of the field? That was the second of two very long TDs for SK and there was a third time SKs receiver got past our DBs too but Shearer's adrenaline may have saved us.

Thanks Guru. You might be dignifying what I thought I saw last night too much by calling it "information" but I'll figure out who the Tigers have out there as the year goes on and I'll go to most varsity and all JV games. I follow HS basketball in Louisville and sometimes southern IN as closely as I can too and not just my alma mater's team. Very happy I found your site because the Courier does not provide the kind of coverage of HS sports it did back in the day. I guess there were actually two daily papers until Gannett bought them around 1990. I look forward to learning more about what goes on downstate as much as anything.

I think RB Sergent would have been #3 or maybe #13? The WR Murray #17? My memory is not what it was but I did take note of SK's skill position athletes and they looked good, though I'm guessing young Shearer makes them look good too. St. X first string DE's #99 and another in the 90s I think looked like they brought pressure when they played and made Shearer step up into the pocket to make throws and sometimes to take hits I thought he probably didn't see coming. He's got a first rate arm, but I was more impressed that he seemed to execute just as well after he got popped. Lot's of kids with good arms can't do that. He does not look fleet of foot but made judicious decisions and turned his running into a plus though I'm sure not all 8 of those were choices or positive plays. I'll keep an eye on SK to see how you do. How strong is SK on the respective lines? If St. X first string O line was in there most of the time I'll refrain from judging SKs D front 7. People say that the OL is the strength of St. X varsity this year, some say best OL in KY HS this season though we've got a couple of smaller kids up there with three big maulers from what I saw yesterday.