KHSAA Football: Week Two Preview, Two Top 25 Match Ups

BarkleyTruax

Kroger’s KSR Game of the Week heads home to Lexington this Friday for a date at Joseph K. Ford Stadium for some KHSAA action where the Lexington Catholic Knights are set to meet the Pulaski County Maroons, but that’s not the only match up you should be paying attention to:

No. 11 Lexington Christian Academy at No. 4 Boyle County

A pair of 1-0 central Kentucky squads, both of which are ranked second in their respective classes, are set to take the field against each other this Saturday in Danville for some week two KHSAA action.

The No. 11 Eagles came back from an early deficit against a tough Madison Central squad to win 21-12 in week one. Highlighted by senior quarterback Drew Nieves’ (12) deep ball in the second quarter to Miami (OH) commit Mason Moore (16), LCA escaped Richmond with a victory over Kentucky high school coaching legend and three-time state champion Mike Holcomb in his debut with the Indians.

Meanwhile, the Rebels defeated Tates Creek on their home turf 31-6 in decisive fashion.

Jagger Gills (9) threw for 119 yards (13-18) and two touchdowns. Both of said scores were caught by the do-it-all Cole Lanter (6), who caught eight balls for 86 yards. Lanter also finished with five carries for 33 yards and a touchdown along with an interception.

No. 9 Saint Xavier at No. 15 Central

St. X avoided a week one upset via the arm of Rutgers commit Gavin Wimsatt, defeating No. 17 Owensboro 51-38 in a well-contested shootout that featured Tigers quarterback Jack Sivori’s (2) 287 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns.

Central kicked their season off on a sour note, falling to No. 13 DuPont Manual 14-12 after a two-touchdown burst from the Crimsons in the fourth quarter despite leading through the first three, 12-0.

Yellowjacket quarterback Vernon Duncan (8) finished the game with 140 yards through the air; 98 of which came on two deep balls to wide out Djure Johnson (9). Freshman Cortez Jones ran one back on a kick-off return in the first as well.

St. X recorded no sacks and/or tackles for loss against Owensboro last week, which is something Central needs to keep in mind. If the Tigers can stall the Duncan-Johnson connection, St. X should have no problem securing the second victory of their season. If not, there could be trouble brewing in Louisville’s KHSAA district Friday night.

Ballard at No. 1 Male

KHSAA’s No. 1, Louisville Male, fresh off a 49-0 beat down of Floyds Knobs from Indiana, takes on the Ballard Bruins, who themselves are coming off an impressive 28-3 victory over Hopkinsville.

Male didn’t put up huge offensive numbers but opened some eyes on the defensive end of the ball. Floyds Knobs was held to a shocking 80 yards total against Male, only able to gain nine yards on the ground. Daniel Swinney (7) led the way for Male with three rushing touchdowns on 68 total yards while averaging 13.6 yards per carry.

Ballard was just as impressive in their opening week matchup, holding Hopkinsville to 61 total yards (-24 rushing) and denying the Tigers a trip to the end zone. Quarterback Tristen Hawkins’ (6) two interceptions during that game is something to be wary about if you’re Ballard, as a turnover against Male could spell disaster at a moment’s notice.

Chaunte Marrero (17) was responsible for 18 points last week, including a kickoff return touchdown. His threatening presence in the return, as well as the passing game, will force Male to potentially keep an extra set of cleats headed his way this weekend.