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Preview: Ryle at Simon Kenton

The final stop on the 2015 US Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series pulls into Independence, Kentucky for a playoff showdown between Class 6A rivals, Simon Kenton and Ryle. It is a rematch of a Week 9 affair that saw Simon Kenton post a 28-7 victory. It was the only time this season that the Raiders have been held to less than 21 points. Ryle gets another shot Friday night to see if they can solve the mystery of Simon Kenton and ruin the Pioneers’ run.

RYLE RAIDERS (9-2) at SIMON KENTON PIONEERS (11-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at Chlorine Menifee Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Everyone gets in on the act for the Ryle offense. College recruit Tanner Morgan has thrown for 2,490 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Raiders. Eight different receivers are averaging more than one catch per game and nine have touchdown receptions. A three-headed monster out of the backfield has seen Colin England (555), Mitchell Bateman (419) and Jake Chisolm (620) combine for 1,594 yards and 24 scores on the ground.

Ryle RB Colin England (photo by Cathy Lachman)

Ryle RB Colin England (photo by Cathy Lachman)

The run sets up the pass for the Simon Kenton offense. Senior Dillon Powell has a rushed for 1,416 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s not the Pioneers only running threat as quarterback Cameron Racke and Dylan Hampton have combined for another 1,180 yards and 23 scores on the ground. Racke has also thrown for 1,520 yards with 14 touchdown tosses. Linebacker Dalton Finnell has recovered six fumbles and Trent Kinkaid has intercepted seven passes for the Simon Kenton defense.

Simon Kenton RB Dillon Powell (photo by Mike Noyes/TSF)

Simon Kenton RB Dillon Powell (photo by Mike Noyes/TSF)

TEAM TRENDS: Ryle has four wins over George Rogers Clark, Campbell County and Boone County (2), who were a combined 1-32 on the season. The Raiders are 3-2 versus teams with winning records having beaten Cooper (8-3), Highlands (6-5) and Class 3A Lexington Catholic (8-3). Ryle’s nine wins are the most they have had in a season since going 12-2 in 2010.

Keeping teams out of the end zone has been paramount to Simon Kenton’s success. The Pioneers gave up 59 points in their first two games. They have allowed just 73 points in the nine contests since (8.1/game). The defense has come up with 31 takeaways (18 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries). The Simon Kenton offense has taken full advantage of the opportunities that they have been afforded with 63 trips across the goal line. The Pioneers are averaging 43.3 points per contest with an average margin of victory of 31.3 points.

RYLE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Making Simon Kenton play at the Raiders’ speed on offense is a must. Wearing down the Pioneers’ defense and making them tired as the games heads into the final stanza is imperative if Ryle wants to come out on top. For that to happen the offense has to establish the run. That didn’t in the first meeting as the Raiders managed just 77 yards on 27 carries.

SIMON KENTON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Keeping the Ryle offense off the field will do wonders for keeping the Simon Kenton defense fresh late in the game. The Pioneers offense has to dictate the pace of the games with extended drives that eat up time on the clock. Converting the first few drives of the game into touchdowns will be a big plus in putting this plan into motion.

Prediction: SIMON KENTON 30, RYLE 21

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