CLASS 6A: St. Xavier vs. Trinity
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Records: St. Xavier 14-0; Trinity 12-2
Rich get richer: Trinity has a state-record 17 titles. St. X has 11. They?ve combined to win 16 of the last 22 big-school championships. This is the 10th time Mike Glaser has guided St. X to the finals, and he is going for his seventh title. In his eighth year as Trinity coach, Bob Beatty has the Shamrocks in the finals for the seventh time and he?s seeking his sixth championship.
Rivalry renewed: This will be the 65th game between the superpowers. St. X holds a 33-29-2 in the series that began in 1956. The Tigers beat Trinity 25-14 during the regular season. But remember 2005 ? St. X won the regular-season meeting, but Trinity won the rematch in the state finals.
St. X leaders: QB Ben Zoeller has passed for 960 yards, 8 TDs, and run for 617 yards, 9 TDs. RB Deuce Finch has rushed for 1,418 yards, 15 TDs. WR Will Simmons has 31 catches, 610 yards, 6 TDs. Nate Combs? 95 solo tackles lead the defense.
Trinity leaders: QB Will Stein has thrown for 3,497 yards and a school-record 52 TDs. The Dutton twins ? Alex and Nathan ? have combined for 146 catches, 2,264 yards, 33 TDs. RB Tim Phillips has run for 1,696 yards, 27 TDs. Junior LB Jordan Whiting, who has committed to Ohio State, leads the Rocks? defense with 93 solo tackles.
Key to victory: St. X can?t get into a scoring match with Trinity. The Tigers need to control the ball, and put some serious heat on Stein.