LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- It’s the biggest high school football rivalry in the country and this Friday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium the St. Xavier Tigers and Trinity Shamrocks will meet for the 64th time. The two programs have a whole lot of history. They first met November 4, 1956 -- a 48-0 Tigers win. Since then, they’ve combined for 28 state titles.

Last year’s meeting ended with a little bit of controversy. The Rocks led 10-0 in the first quarter when the game was called because of lightning. Because both schools’ schedules were full, they could not make it up at a later date. So Trinity was awarded the victory. “I don’t think that should’ve really even be counted as a game. Of course, you know. Credit to them. They played really well in the first half,” says Tigers senior Tom Cecil. “We made a couple of mistakes. But we didn’t play a full game, and despite what the record may say, we just hope to make up for it this year.”

Senior Matt Smith adds, “You know our motto. We are going to stay focused on St. X. this year, but we really want that win. Last year... we don’t think it should have been called that way. But things happen how they do, and we’re going to come out ready to play.”