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MALE (6-6)

Coach: Chris Wolfe (fourth season, 21-18).

Starters back: Offense 5, defense 5.

Class: 6-A, District 4.

Player to watch: Only a sophomore, wide receiver Keion Wakefield (6-0, 155) already has earned a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky. He helped Male's freshman team go undefeated last season and has the potential to become a "bona fide star," Wolfe said.

Other top players: RB Marque Northington (Sr.), RB Ellis Cain (Jr.), WR Ethan Britt (So.), LB Malik Malone (Sr.), SS Mike Malone (Sr.), OL-DL Houston Sparkman (Jr.), DE Marcus Davis (So.), DL Edward Moore (Sr.), WR-CB Tyrone Wilkerson (Jr.), OL Marcus Smith (Sr.), FS Devin Gentry (So.).

Outlook: Wakefield, Britt, Davis and Gentry lead a talented sophomore class that will play a prominent role. "They need to gain early experience to be ready for district play," Wolfe said. Junior Davis Mattingly (6-3, 180) is in line to be the starting quarterback, but junior Will Edwards and sophomore Hayden Shelton also are in the mix. The Malone twins will anchor the defense. Wolfe is pleased with the increased size on both lines. "We're much bigger than the last two years when we got pushed around," he said.

-- Jason Frakes

Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 at Floyd Central 10/4 at Meade County
8/30 BUTLER 10/11 *at St. Xavier
9/6 FAIRDALE 10/18 *TRINITY
9/13 JEFFERSONTOWN 10/25 *at Manual
9/27 at Ballard 11/1 CAL
*-District game.

MANUAL (4-7)

Coach: Oliver Lucas (fourth season, 19-16).

Starters back: Offense 6, defense 5.

Class: 6-A, District 4.

Player to watch: After splitting time at quarterback with Mason Motley last season, junior Michael Nero (5 feet 10, 200 pounds) will move to tailback. Nero rushed for 499 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore and now succeeds Dishan Romine. "He has big shoes to fill, but he brings a little more power," Lucas said.

Other top players: QB Mason Motley (Sr.), WR Will Blackford (Jr.), WR Jake Rist (Jr.), TE Matthew Cissell (Sr.), OL Jacob Key (Jr.), OL George Dailey (Sr.), OL Khalid Neal (Sr.), DE TyRon Horton (Jr.), LB Ryan West (Sr.), LB Damien Smith (Jr.), CB Justice Lucas (Sr.), SS Tyler Martin (Sr.).

Outlook: The Crimsons are coming off their first losing season since 2009, and Lucas has scrapped his two-quarterback system, with Motley now taking over. "He brings solid leadership and a command of the offense," Lucas said. Lucas said the defense will "have to carry us if we're going to make any mark. I feel pretty good about them."

-- Jason Frakes

Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 CENTRAL 10/3 BUTLER
8/30 at Fern Creek 10/11 *at Trinity
9/13 at PRP 10/18 *ST. XAVIER
9/20 BALLARD 10/25 *MALE
9/27 at Seneca 11/1 at Eastern
*-District game.

ST. XAVIER (8-5)

Coach: Will Wolford (1st season).

Starters back: Offense 4, defense 3.

Class: 6-A, District 4.

Player to watch: Senior running back Charles Walker (5 feet 11, 188 pounds) is being touted for Mr. Football honors after rushing for 1,148 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. He's also a solid receiver and will play safety on defense this year. "Charles is a once-every-10-year type of player for St. X," Wolford said. "He's a tremendous athlete and a great kid."

Other top players: QB B.J. Nagle (Sr.), RB Austin Davis (Sr.), RB Treyveon Percell (Sr.), WR William Roshkowski (Sr.), OL John Kurtz (Sr.), DE Skyler Robinson (Sr.), DT Lenny Broyles (Sr.), LB Andrew McCormick (Sr.), CB Dekota Jones (Sr.).

Outlook: Since winning the state title in 2009, the Tigers have been eliminated in the playoffs by Trinity the past three years. Many think this is the year that streak will end. With a new coach in Wolford and a transfer quarterback in Nagle, expectations are as high as ever at St. X. "There's a lot of pressure on the coaching staff to take advantage of the talent we do have this year," Wolford said. Davis, Percell and Walker give the Tigers three strong running backs, and the average height of the five starting offensive linemen is 6-4 ½. St. X is switching from a 4-4 defense to a 3-4 in order to take advantage of a deep linebacking corps led by McCormick.

-- Jason Frakes

Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 BALLARD 9/27 at Central
8/31 at Lex. Catholic 10/4 *Trinity-a
9/6 BOWLING GREEN 10/11 *MALE
9/13 FAIRDALE 10/18 *at Manual
9/20 at Cinn. Moeller 11/1 CINN. ST. XAVIER
*-District game. a-at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

TRINITY (13-1)

Coach: Bob Beatty (14th season, 167-22).

Starters back: Offense 5, defense 1.

Class: 6-A, District 4.

Player to watch: Senior Reggie Bonnafon finally gets his shot as the starting quarterback after playing wide receiver last year. Bonnafon (6-2, 195) already has committed to the University of Louisville and should lead the offense with both his arm and legs. "I think we have to have a quota of how many times we want to run him a game," Beatty said of Bonnafon's running abilities. "It will also depend on whom we're playing."

Other top players: RB Donald Brooks (Jr.), WR Cody Swabek (Sr.), WR C.J. Ott (Sr.), OL Price Kmetz (Sr.), DE Connor Foos (So.), LB Brentton Ervin (Jr.), LB Alex Reisert (Jr.), LB Damon Lowe (So.), FS Canon Jackson (Sr.).

Outlook: The Shamrocks have won three straight Class 6-A state titles and enter the season ranked No. 2 in the nation in the USA Today Super 25. With Bonnafon, Brooks and Swabek leading the way - and three returning starters on the line - the offense should be in good hands. Swabek had 49 catches for 673 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Jackson is the only returning starter on a defense that is projected to start eight juniors and two sophomores. With a schedule that includes four defending state champions, that young defense will get tested early and often.

-- Jason Frakes

Date Opponent Date Opponent
8/23 ELLSWORTH (TN) 10/4 *St. Xavier-a
8/30 at Carmel (Ind.) 10/11 *MANUAL
9/6 at Lawrence C. (Ind.) 10/18 *at Male
9/13 COLERAIN (Ohio) 11/1 CINN. MOELLER
9/27 INDPLS. CATHEDRAL
*-District game. a-at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

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