MALE (5-1) AT PLEASURE RIDGE PARK (4-2)
* Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
* Storyline: Panthers continue brutal schedule.
* Male: The Bulldogs – No. 12 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – rolled to a 41-12 victory over Butler last week as T.J. Thomas completed 12 of 17 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Nathan Hobbs and B.K. Smith both had 55-yard punt returns for touchdowns. Coach Chris Wolfe revamped his defense after a 37-34 loss to Trinity on Sept. 9, moving Dayveon Higgs to linebacker and Rasean McCauley to defensive end.
* PRP: The No. 13 Panthers continue a tough stretch of their schedule that has included losses to No. 3 Trinity (29-10) and No. 6 St. Xavier (27-17) the past two weeks. Junior quarterback B.J. Robinson completed 21 of 44 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss to St. X. Junior Shannon Bishop had five receptions for 188 yards and a score.
* Quotable: “Our point of emphasis since the Trinity game has been our run defense, and I’m optimistic we’re turning a corner there,” Wolfe said. “If you’re going to win in November and you’re going to win in this district, you have to be able to stop the run.”
* The pick: Male 34-14.