The St. Xavier varsity football team from Louisville, KY, will face off against Ryle High School from Union, KY, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.
What: Kentucky High School Football
Who: St. Xavier (KY) vs Ryle (KY)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets: KHSAA – Class 6A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Game Preview: Ryle vs. St. Xavier – Kentucky High School Football Playoff Showdown
As the Kentucky high school football playoffs heat up, all eyes turn to a highly anticipated clash between two powerhouses: the Ryle Raiders and the St. Xavier Tigers. Scheduled for Friday, November 15, at a neutral venue, this game promises to be a thrilling contest between teams with stellar seasons, impressive statistics, and a recent head-to-head meeting that suggests an exciting rematch is on the horizon.
Season Recap and Key Stats
Ryle Raiders (10-2 Overall, 3-0 District)
- Record: 10-2 overall, 3-0 in district play
- Home/Away: Dominant at home with a 7-0 record, solid on the road at 3-2
- Scoring Power: 414 points for, 202 points against
- Scoring Averages:
- 1st Quarter: 10.2 points
- 2nd Quarter: 9.7 points
- 3rd Quarter: 8.0 points
- 4th Quarter: 3.7 points
- Overtime: 6.0 points (if needed)
- Average Total: 34.5 points per game
St. Xavier Tigers (7-4 Overall, 2-1 District)
- Record: 7-4 overall, 2-1 in district play
- Home/Away: Strong at home with a 5-2 record, balanced on the road at 2-2
- Scoring Power: 353 points for, 202 points against
- Scoring Averages:
- 1st Quarter: 2.6 points
- 2nd Quarter: 12.8 points
- 3rd Quarter: 9.4 points
- 4th Quarter: 1.4 points
- Overtime: 7.0 points (if needed)
- Average Total: 32.1 points per game
Recent Matchup: Ryle vs. St. Xavier
These teams met just last month, on October 4, in a non-conference game that resulted in a thrilling 31-24 victory for St. Xavier. In that game, the Tigers built a commanding 24-point lead by halftime, holding off a strong second-half push from the Raiders, who scored 14 points in the final quarters but couldn’t close the gap.
Game Breakdown (Oct 4, 2024):
- Final Score: St. Xavier 31, Ryle 24
- Quarterly Scoring:
- Q1: Both teams held scoreless
- Q2: St. Xavier surged ahead with 24 points to Ryle’s 10
- Q3: Both teams scored 7 points
- Q4: Ryle added 7 points but couldn’t bridge the deficit as St. Xavier held firm
This last-minute loss for Ryle makes the upcoming playoff rematch a must-win to even the score and continue their playoff run.
Common Opponents: Dominance on Display
Both teams faced and defeated two common opponents—Simon Kenton and Pleasure Ridge Park—in impressive fashion:
- Ryle:
- Beat Simon Kenton, 37-0 (Away)
- Beat Pleasure Ridge Park, 39-0 (Home)
- St. Xavier:
- Beat Simon Kenton, 48-13 (Home)
- Beat Pleasure Ridge Park, 42-6 (Away)
Both teams demonstrated their strength against these common opponents, but Ryle’s defensive shutouts could be an indicator of a resilient defense going into this playoff game.
Team Comparisons
- Scoring: Ryle holds a slight edge with an average of 34.5 points per game, while St. Xavier averages 32.1.
- Defensive Strength: Both teams are nearly identical in points allowed, with each conceding a total of 202 points throughout the season.
- Home/Away Performance: Ryle is unbeaten at home, while St. Xavier has been consistent both at home and away.
Key Factors for the Game
- Ryle’s Fast Start: The Raiders average over 10 points in the first quarter, a strength they’ll likely rely on to establish early momentum.
- St. Xavier’s Mid-Game Surge: St. Xavier has shown they can turn up the heat in the second quarter, where they outscore opponents by an average of 12.8 points, suggesting they may look to break the game open before halftime.
- Ryle’s Defense: With two consecutive shutouts leading up to this game, Ryle’s defense is likely brimming with confidence. Shutting down St. Xavier’s offense, especially during the middle quarters, could be key to a Raiders victory.
- St. Xavier’s Head-to-Head Advantage: With a recent win over Ryle, St. Xavier may have a mental edge, but Ryle’s motivation for redemption will make them formidable.
Prediction
With both teams so evenly matched, this playoff battle could come down to the team that capitalizes on key plays and avoids turnovers. Ryle’s defense and early-game scoring will clash against St. Xavier’s resilience and second-quarter scoring burst. Fans should expect an intense, back-and-forth game with the potential for a thrilling finish.
