KSR Game of the Week Preview: Frederick Douglass vs. Trinity

DanielHagerKSR

The KSR Game of the Week is off to a strong start in 2024, as the state will witness back-to-back top-five matchups to open the season.

No. 2 Frederick Douglass, fresh off its 35-13 win over No. 10 Bowling Green last week, will host No. 3 Louisville Trinity at The Farm on Friday night. The Shamrocks opened their season with a 28-10 win at No. 16 Bryan Station.

The two Class 6A juggernauts have met just twice following Frederick Douglass’ transition to the class last season. Douglass went on the road and took down Trinity 17-10 in the second game of the 2023 season, but the Shamrocks got their revenge with a 14-7 OT win over the Broncos in the Class 6A Semifinals.

No. 3 Trinity Shamrocks

Even after its dominant 18-point victory over Station to open the season, Trinity was leapfrogged by Douglass in KSR’s Kentucky High School Football 2024 Week 1 Top 25 Rankings. Odds are the Shamrocks didn’t take kindly to that, as Trinity defensive back Caleb Ricks exclaimed that they were the best team in the state last Friday night.

Sophomore quarterback Zane Johnson picked up right where he left off last season, where he became the first freshman starting quarterback in school history to win a State Championship. Johnson completed 12/22 passes against Station for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jamaurion Berry however stole the show, as he torched the Station defense for 138 yards rushing and one touchdown.

The Shamrock defense imposed its will as well, as they allowed just 236 total yards to a Bryan Station offense that averaged 345 yards a game last season. Trinity compiled five sacks and six TFLs in its season-opening win.

No. 2 Frederick Douglass

After entering its season opener against Bowling Green as a *slight* favorite, the Broncos made a statement with their 35-13 victory over the Purples.

Sophomore running back Dakari Talbert gashed the opposing defense for 167 yards and one touchdown. He was joined in the end zone by senior running back Pharo Watts (51 rushing yards, one touchdown) and junior running back TayTay Allen (49 yards, one touchdown).

Fueled by an extremely talented offensive line, led by Western Kentucky commit Jackson Dialls, the Broncos totaled 335 total yards of offense. Talbert’s brother, Derion, is committed to Ball State.

Trinity vs. Frederick Douglass games are notoriously defense-oriented, so expect offense to be few and far between Friday night. In non-Trinity games last season, the Broncos averaged 29 points per game. In non-Douglass games last season, the Shamrocks averaged 37 points per game.

In the two games against each other last season, however, Douglass averaged just 12 points while Trinity averaged just 14 points. May the best defense win. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.

Players to Watch:

Senior four-star Kentucky commit EDGE Cedric Works (Frederick Douglass)
Sophomore HB Jamaurion Berry (Louisville Trinity)
Senior three-star Western Michigan commit WR Aveion Chenault (Frederick Douglass)
Sophomore QB Zane Johnson (Louisville Trinity)
Senior Western Kentucky commit OT Jackson Dialls (Frederick Douglass)
Sophomore DB Sekou Kamara (Louisville Trinity)