Christian Academy-Louisville Hosting DuPont Manual Under Friday Night Lights
A top-10 matchup will take place in Jefferson County on Friday night as #8 DuPont Manual will travel to take on #10 Christian Academy-Louisville. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST at Centurion Stadium.
Both teams have enjoyed incredible seasons thus far, as Manual (5-0) is undefeated with big wins over South Warren and Central Hardin. Manual also traveled to Cincinnati and handed Taft a loss on their own field. The 6A giants head into a tough part of their schedule — following the CAL game, the Crimsons will host #3, St. Xavier.
For Christian Academy-Louisville they’re off to a 4-1 start, with their only loss coming to Cutter Boley and Lexington Christian Academy. The Centurians hardly lost this game, as they lost by the tight score of 14-12 and held Boley to 10-23 passing for only 64 yards. CAL has averaged to allow 14.2 points per game, all while scoring 34.4 points in the same span. Quarterback Cole Hodge has continued to light up Louisville for the Centurians, throwing for 1,349 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air.
#10 Christian Academy-Louisville
Hodge, who is committed to East Carolina, has accounted for 20 touchdowns in total, with one coming on the ground. Receivers Justin Ruffin and Connor Hodge have enjoyed excellent years, combining for 14 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards receiving. Running back Jeffery Vazzana could be considered the X-factor of this offense. While he has three touchdowns thus far, he could add more rushes to open up this attack.
When those around Lexington Christian spoke about their narrow victory over CAL, one word continued to be used: defense. The Centurians have been considered to have one of the best defenses in all of Kentucky. Connor Franklin, Garyon Hobbs, and Connor Hodge all hold down the defense. Connor Hodge has three interceptions to his name on the season.
CAL needs this game after the close defeat to LCA, and desperate teams are scary.
#8 DuPont Manual
Now for the (ranking) favorites, the DuPont Manual Crimsons, who, as previously mentioned, are untouched by the year. Quarterback Elijah Creech has accounted for 706 yards in the air, along with nine touchdowns and only one interception. Running back Gerian Traynor has rushed for nearly 500 yards and eight touchdowns, a crazy line through five games. Willis Nofsinger, Aiden Blakey, and Coryon Alston have all caught for over 100 yards on the year, a truly balanced receiving trio.
On defense, the Crimsons are led by Braydon Underwood, Cameron Jessee, Christopher Jones, and Jaylen Hayes, who all have 30-plus tackles this season. Aiden Blakey has also added three interceptions for Manual on the year, a welcome addition to an already-loaded defense.
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