They’re big, they’re mobile and they’re hoping to play a large role in ending the Manual High School football team’s three-game losing streak in the Old Rivalry.
The Crimsons’ offensive line has established itself as one of the Louisville area’s best this season, helping the squad average 202.4 rushing yards per game. They were at their best last week as Manual ripped off 382 rushing yards in a 34-28 victory over Pleasure Ridge Park.
“It’s not just one or two anchors; it’s a bunch of guys who do a really good job of working together,” Crimsons coach Scott Carmony said. “It’s just a hodge-podge of guys who have come together pretty well.”
The line will get a test at 7:30 p.m. Friday when Manual (7-1) travels to rival Male (6-2) in the 135th meeting of the Old Rivalry that was first played in 1893. The Bulldogs lead the series 83-45-6 after a pair of blowout victories last year – 43-7 in the regular season and 36-0 in the second round of the Class 6-A playoffs.
In order to end that skid, Manual figures to have to run the ball efficiently and control the clock on Friday.
“We can’t let them have a lot of long drives,” Bulldogs coach Chris Wolfe said.
Manual’s offensive linemen average 307.7 pounds, led by senior guards Chevin Kennedy (6-foot-5, 336 pounds) and Joe Gressette (6-2, 300). Senior Connor Shears (6-1, 273) and junior Dalen Horton (6-3, 276) are the tackles, and senior Todd Laird (6-2, 308) is the center. Senior tight end Neal Riddle (6-3, 178) also does his share of blocking.
Carmony credited assistant coaches Jamie Brown and Kevin Johnson with molding the line.
“They have the perfect offense for that line,” Wolfe said. “They’re a very physical, run-downhill team. If you let them have 3 ½ yards a snap, I don’t know that they’ll ever pass the ball. It’s almost like the old veer offense. They hit you so fast up the middle that before you know it they’re 4 yards into your defense. And as big as those backs are, they’re falling forward for another 5, 6 or 7 yards.”
Junior Marcis Floyd (95 carries, 571 yards, six touchdowns) and senior Andre Teague (85 carries, 358 yards, 10 TDs) lead the rushing attack. Teague, a 5-10, 235-pound bulldozer, rushed for 116 yards and five TDs against PRP last week. Floyd (19 carries, 128 yards) and senior fullback John Riley (10 carries, 121 yards) also had big games.
Carmony was pleased with the efficient attack after what he called a subpar effort in a 28-12 loss to St. Xavier the previous week.
“We felt like we needed to re-establish ourselves after the St. X game,” Carmony said. “We got some things squared away, and now we come back this week with a chance to host a playoff game.”
St. X has clinched the title in Class 6-A, District Three after last week’s 31-21 victory over Male. The Manual-Male winner will the No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff game at home. The loser will have to hit the road for the first round of the playoffs.
Wolfe said he’s anxious to see how his team responds after last week’s loss to St. X.
“There’s been a different feeling about things this week, but it’s hard to quantify what it is,” Wolfe said. “It is guys refocusing themselves or questioning themselves? I don’t know. I think we’ll find out a lot more in that first quarter against Manual.”
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: Manual (7-1) at Male (6-2)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Jason’s pick: Male 28-21