SIMON KENTON (11-1) AT LOU. ST. XAVIER (11-1) What: Class 6A state football quarterfinal.
When: Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Xavier Stadium, Louisville.
Kypost.com coverage: Billy Robertson.
John Lachmann’s pick: St. Xavier.
Terry Boehmker’s pick: St. Xavier.
Dan Wright’s pick: St. Xavier.
Notes: Exactly how good Simon Kenton is will be determined on Friday.
The Pioneers won every game but one this season, with their lone loss coming to a Lexington Henry Clay team that is also among the final eight in Class 6A.
Simon Kenton pounded every other area opponent, winning all of its regular-season games by at least 20.
The Pioneers were ranked No. 2 in Northern Kentucky by the Kypost.com poll all season. They averaged 461.4 yards of offense per week, easily leading the area.
And Simon Kenton did not play a weak schedule. The Pioneers hosted Henry Clay and Dixie Heights, and played Newport Central Catholic at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
Not to mention the Pioneers had to beat Conner, Ryle and Boone County to complete an unbeaten district schedule.
Simon Kenton not only piled up the yards, the Pioneers have also given scoreboard operators a workout. The team is currently second in the state in points per game (48.5).
Simon Kenton leads all Class 6A schools in total points with 582. The Pioneers’ lowest point total of the season was 29 vs. Newport Central Catholic opening week. Simon Kenton has scored at least 31 points in all of its games since.
Of course, senior Miles Simpson has been a major cog in Simon Kenton’s video game-like offensive numbers – he has 214 carries for 2,126 yards and 38 touchdowns – but efficient passing and rushing by junior quarterback Chad Lawrence also given opponents fits.
In 149 carries, Lawrence has 1,018 ground yards and 12 TDs. In the air, Lawrence is 92-for-157 (58.6 percent) for 1,573 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has only thrown five interceptions.
Juniors Zach Carroll and Jake Krummen have been Lawrence’s two primary passing targets. Carroll leads the team in catches (27), receiving yards (468) and receiving touchdowns (5).
Krummen has caught 20 passes for 340 yards and two TDs.
Teams have had somewhat better success in the air against St. Xavier. The Tigers are giving up 101.0 ground yards and 136.7 passing yards per game.
But the Pioneers will need to be aware of junior Daylen Hall, who has intercepted seven passes this season, returning one for a touchdown.
St. Xavier’s only loss this season was to Cincinnati St. Xavier. The Tigers have rolled through lesser Northern Kentucky opponents the last few weeks – Covington Catholic, Boone County and Ryle – with none posing a threat.
St. Xavier has won 10 state titles in its history, most recently in 2004. The Tigers lost in the state finals in 2005 and 2007.
The Tigers’ defense has been a major factor for the team’s success, and so has St. Xavier’s running game.
St. Xavier has gained more than twice as many yards on the ground than it has in the air this season, 2969-1269.
Junior Lamont McMurry has been the Tigers’ most dangerous ground threat this season, piling up a team-high 751 yards and nine touchdowns on only 71 carries.
Seniors Michael Montano and Jermiah Neal have also been significant ground threats for St. Xavier. Montano has 67 carries for 664 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, and Neal has scored 17 rushing TDs with 93 rushes for 594 yards.
St. Xavier has not used a true wide receiver as a major passing threat. McMurry leads the team with 20 catches, 442 receiving yards and six TD receptions. Neal is second on the team in receptions (11) and receiving yards (226).
Last season, St. Xavier lost to Louisville Trinity the week before Simon Kenton lost to the Shamrocks in the state finals.
Simon Kenton was the top team in the area in regular-season run defense, allowing just 104.3 rushing yards per game. The Pioneers are giving up 128.6 passing yards per game.
These teams have not met in recent history.
