No. 10 Ryle dominates No. 13 St. Xavier 38-17 in KSR Game of the Week

No. 10 Ryle dominated No. 13 St. Xavier 38-17 Friday night in a 6A Second Round Playoff matchup, marking the first time St. X was eliminated from the playoffs by a team other than Male or Trinity since 2001 (Meade County).

This game was never close, as the Raiders led 17-0 just eight minutes into the game. Head coach Mike Engler’s team gets revenge for its loss to the Tigers earlier this season (31-24), which took place just six weeks ago.

“We’ve been wanting this game for six weeks since they beat us in the regular season,” said junior running back Jacob Savage postgame. “A lot of kids were hurt on our team and we knew what it took, so we’ve been getting better and better every week and it’s not going to stop now.”

With the win, Ryle improves to 10-2 and secures its first 10-win season since 2016. St. Xavier finishes the season with a disappointing 7-5 record for the first time since 2015.

Ryle jumps all over St. Xavier early

After an exciting pre-game presentation complete with an inflatable skull, a cannon, and fireworks, the Ryle Raiders opened the game with some fireworks on the field on the opening play.

The aforementioned Jacob Savage took the opening handoff 80 yards to the house for a score, sending the Raiders fans into a frenzy.

“My O-Line gave me a great hole and a good block and from then on I trusted my speed,” Savage said about the play postgame. The Raiders, who were projected to lose to the Tigers 34-21 by On3’s Massey Ratings, jumped ahead early and never looked back.

RYLE RUNNING BACK JACOB SAVAGE RUNS FOR AN 80-YARD TOUCHDOWN ON THE OPENING PLAY.

WOW.

#10 Ryle 7 | #13 St. X 0 | 11:46 1Q pic.twitter.com/lGLJs6wKaa

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) November 16, 2024

On St. Xavier’s opening drive of the game, quarterback Mason Trimble fumbled on their own 36-yard line, setting the Raiders up with phenomenal field position. They took advantage of this, increasing their lead to 14 on a 28-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Nathan Verax on a gutsy 4th & 2 call.

After forcing a Tiger three-and-out, a 43-yard field goal from Ryle junior kicker Gavin Moses increased the lead to 17 just eight minutes into the game.

Let that clock roll

It seemed as if a 25-yard field goal from St. Xavier kicker Logan Zoeller two minutes into the second quarter could get the Tigers going, but that was not the case.

Jacob Savage earned his second rushing touchdown of the day with 7:09 remaining in the second quarter, scoring from 13 yards out on an outside run to push the lead to 18. Desperately needing a response, the St. X Tigers could not muster any offense and were forced to punt back to the red-hot Raider offense.

The two minutes prior to the halftime break secured the win for the Raiders, as Verax connected with senior wide receiver Landon Lorms for a 12-yard touchdown with 2:51 remaining. St. X’s Trimble then threw a pick on the first play of their drive, setting Ryle up with phenomenal field position.

Savage took advantage of this for his third score of the day, putting the Raiders up 38-3 with a minute before the halftime break began. As shouts of “RUN THAT CLOCK” rang through from the Ryle sideline, that clock indeed began to run and a Raider victory was already all but wrapped up.

Ryle’s Dylan Lee intercepts St. X QB Mason Trimble on the first play of the Tigers’ drive, leading to ANOTHER Raider touchdown for Jacob Savage.

WE’VE GOT A THIRTY-FIVE POINT LEAD AND IT’S NOT EVEN HALFTIME.

#10 Ryle 38 | #13 St. X 3 | 1:17 2Q pic.twitter.com/GaFfcbnlxk

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) November 16, 2024

“I wouldn’t want to play with any other team,” Savage said postgame. “We have all the confidence and I’ve never seen a team with this much confidence. It’s been fun to watch and fun to play.”

Ryle chasing history

St. Xavier scored two touchdowns in the second half, but they both came against Ryle’s backup defense. The Raiders kept the ball on the ground for the final four minutes, securing their first EVER victory over the Tigers.

As Ryle seeks its first 6A Semifinals appearance since 2010, the Raiders will host Central Hardin next Friday night. The Central Hardin Bruins knocked off McCracken County 45-28.