Old Corps

After watching game film, St. X will not overlook JH. JH has great speed in the backfield, and although the O line is small they are very quick. Perfect for the Wing T, which they execute extremely well. I can see JH breaking off some long plays but I think the Tigers can pull ahead in the 2nd half and win a close game.

St. X played JH 2 years ago in the playoffs at the pizza box and won by 2 TDs, which could have been a lot closer. Many fans questioned the officiating during that game, and I do believe that JH had 1 TD called back, but I don’t know if that changed the final outcome. Unfortunately during the playoffs when out of town refs call games they are not used to the speed of some of the Louisville area teams and officiating is not as smooth as what you are used too. Many of the key players during that game for JH were sophomores and are now seniors. I do not think that JH will be intimated by St. X at all, but will be looking for revenge. This might be the best game of the week. JH runs the wing-T but apparently they can also throw the long ball based on their stats against Male. I can see St. X playing their traditional ball control game and winning this contest by 1 TD.

A) I hope he stays. B) Then how come coach Nichols can't admit that? Would it be so difficult to say "Our kids played their heart out, they just got beat by a better team tonight." Speaking as a parent, I would hate to read coach Nichols comments in the paper after every loss blaming the loss on the kids, officials, tapes, whatever. These kids work their butts off every day in practice and during the games, they deserve better than that. I spoke to several Manual parents prior to the game at a local watering hole and they expressed the same fellings only stronger. They were actually relieved that the season was about to come to end. The Manual players, especially the Seniors, deserve better than that.

Congratulations to BG. After seeing BG play early in the year I felt that they had what it takes to make it to the carpet in December. If they stay focused I don't see anyone beating them this year.

Congratulations to St. X on a big win and taking one more step to the pizza box. The Tigers are in playoff form reminiscent of last year’s run. After a tight 1st quarter the Tigers pulled away and the final score was not indicative of how St. X dominated the game. It was good to see so many St. X reserves get to play in the 2nd half. According to the newspaper, coach Nichols blamed the loss on snakebites and the kids not making plays. Apparently there are no mirrors in the Nichols household. Maybe one of these days coach Nichols will stand up and take responsibility for his team’s performance, good and bad. Maybe he will admit that he got beat by a better team. Maybe it will be at his next school? Good luck to St. X next week playing a very good John Hardin team.

Thank you Jody.

In your lifetime Manual stands 21-2 against Male, 19-2 against St. X, and 6-1 against Trinity. Nothing against Manual, but I stand by what I said, Manual has to learn how to win big games, especially in the playoffs.

Yes, St. X has a lot on the line, but I don't think that is affecting them at all right now. Winning big games is more than Xs and Os, it is also about mental attitudes, you have to learn how to win big games. Manual has had plenty of opportunities in the past few years to win big games against the "Big 3" but have managed to come up short during the 4th quarter every time. After this happens repeatedly, it becomes harder to win these games as everyone has in the back of their mind memories of past performances. (Similar to UK playing FL, GA, TN etc., they hang tight until the end of the game and somehow manage to loose via play calling, execution, or even officiating. It is the difference between the mental aspect of playing to win and playing not to loose.) Which team do you think was more confident at the end of the Manual/Male game? Manual needs a "breakout" win to overcome this attitude, let's hope it is not against St. X. This is the most talented Manual team I can remember since I was in high school many years ago. St. X will not overlook them.

St. X hasn't put together a complete game since Highlands, the Tigers have been doing just enough to win. It looks like everyone will be healthy for the first time in 6 weeks and expect to see a more wide open offense this time around. The pressure is on Manual, and I expect to see St. X win by double digits.

This will be a very close game. JH has a very strong running game and can control the clock and the tempo. Male's defense is susceptible to giving up several long runs a game, and if JH can break a few tackles they can put enough points on the board to win. JH's coach won a state championship at Nelson Co and he will have them ready to play. However, I see a great play by Beaumont at the end of the game pulling it out for Male.

You might want to watch a few more games before making statements like that, there are a lot of major colleges courting him. Burke is the best QB in the state this year bar none. Burke will not make a mental mistake and he will pick any defense apart given time to throw. He knows when to throw and when to run so he does not hurt the team with bad plays. Burke does not have as many supporting offensive players this year as he had in the past, but their defense is a little better than past years and LC can be tough, especially at home. However, if LC does not win it this year they have a long dry spell in front of them.