KentuckyPreps.com - Battle for the Shillelagh in Kentucky

October 2, 2009

Michael Johnston
KentuckyPreps.com
Staff Writer

There might not be a high school football rivalry in the country bigger than Louisville (Ky) St. Xavier and Louisville (Ky) Trinity. Each year as many as 38,000 fans pack Papa John's Cardinal Stadium to watch the Tigers and Shamrocks do battle. Neither team is as talented as they were last season but anytime these two storied programs meet the community is in for something special.

Last season St. Xavier defeated Trinity 6-30 in the regular season. However, the Trinity got revenge, when they defeated the Tigers 28-21 in the playoffs. The Shamrocks went on to win the 2008 Kentucky Class 6A state championship.

Trinity 2-3 Head Coach Bob Beatty

Trinity's record isn't impressive but the Shamrocks loses have come against three very talented out of state teams. Two of their loses have come against Cincinnati powers Elder, ranked No. 2 in Rivals top 100, and St. Xavier, ranked No. 31 in Rivals top 100.

The Shamrocks are 2-0 against teams from Kentucky. They knocked off duPont Manual 27-0 and last week they knocked off Bowling Green 9-0, behind three field goals from the states top kicker, and University of Louisville commit, Nick Robertson.

The biggest question heading into Saturday night's showdown is who will start at quarterback? Brad Kragthorpe, a 6-foot-0, 160 pound junior and son of University of Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe, began the season as the starter but he has been hampered by injuries. Junior Ryan Fredrick has stepped up and played well, while Kragthorpe has been out.

Frederich has completed 19-31 passes so far this season, for 202 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Kragthorpe has completed 23-31 passes, for 246 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore Jackson Noe has also seen time at quarterback. He started against Bowling Green but was replaced in the second quarter by Kragthorpe.

Coach Beatty hasn't named a starter yet but I expect Kragthorpe to be ready to go.

Going into the season, many thought senior running back Xavier Thomas would step in a fill the void left by Tim Phillips, who now plays for Central Michigan. Thomas carried the ball 72 times last season, for 437 yards and seven touchdowns last season. So far this season Thomas has 41 carries, for 132 yards and one touchdown.

Thomas has shared carries with juniors Derek Bishop, who has carried the ball 49 times, for 295 yards and a touchdown, and Jack Tencza. The 5-foot-10, 160 pound Tencza had a break out game against duPont Manual, when he carried the ball 23 times, for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

Seniors Robert Melillo, Alex Cartwright and junior Darick Nix are the Shamrocks top wide receivers. Melillo has caught 11 passes for, 137 yards and one touchdown. Cartwright has also caught 11 passes, for 92 yards, while Nix has caught 10 passes, for 146 yards.

All three players are capable of making big plays.

Trinity's defense has given up a single point this season to a team from Kentucky. However, they have allowed 832 rushing yards this season. They must stop the run if they want to win.

St. Xavier 4-1 Head Coach Mike Glasser

Last season, many thought the Tigers would cruise to a 6A state championship, especially after their impressive win over Trinity in the regular season. After an impressive start this season, many feel they are the favorite once again. Their only lose on the season came against Cincinnati St. Xavier.

Quarterback Brian Buehner has had a stellar season. The 5-foot-11, 175 pound senior has completed 28-52 passes, for 529 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has also carried the ball 39 times, for 95 yards and another score.

The Tigers running game is led by Jermiah Neal. Neal was the pre-season favorite to win the Class 6A District 3 player of the year award and through five games, it appears to be his award to lose.

The 5-foot-10, 185 pound senior has carried the ball 57 times for 382 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also caught eight passes, for 121 yards and another score. Neal has the talent to play Division I college football. An assistant coach told me Thursday before their practice that Indiana has been following Neal closely.

Lamont McMurry has emerged as a big time play maker for the Tigers. The 5-foot-8, 180 pound junior might be the fastest player on the team. He has carried the ball 25 times, for 230 yards and one touchdown. He has also caught nine passes, for 258 yards and three scores.

Senior Michael Montano is also capable of making big plays. Montano has carried the ball 21 times, for 181 yards and one touchdown this season.

The defense is led by two very talented juniors, linebacker Devontae Beach and defensive back Daylen Hall. Beach is second on the team in tackles, with 25 and Hall leads the team with three interceptions. Senior William Lawson leads the team with 29 tackles.

The defense has given up 472 rushing yards on the season. However, 267 of those yards came from Cincinnati St. Xavier. Ballard only managed 13 rushing yards against the Tigers defense, while Lexington Catholic was held 33 rushing yards and Central was held to 56 rushing yards. Male was able to put up 103 rushing yards against the Tigers but a lot of those yards came after the game was already decided, as St. Xavier knocked off the Bulldogs 62-21.

Prediction Trinity 10 St. Xavier 24

St. Xavier has a lot of weapons on offense. Bruhner is a smart quarterback, who rarely makes a mistake. I expect Neal to have big game and this could be McMurry's coming out party. After Saturday night, we will know who's in the drivers seat to win the Class 6A state championship and I expect that team to be the Tigers from St. Xavier.

When: Saturday October 3rd at 6:00 PM

Where: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky.

History: Saturday will mark the 68th meeting between these two teams. St. Xavier leads the series 34-31-2.

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