The man battles injuries at Old Rivalry vs. Manual

So you think being a high school football coach is easy? Consider the predicament Male's Chris Wolfe finds himself in as his team prepares for what most fans consider to be the biggest game of the season.

The Bulldogs (8-1) – ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 6A – are a banged-up bunch heading into Friday's regular-season finale against arch-rival and No. 3-ranked Manual (8-1). Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Male.

Male was missing five starters on offense in last week's 30-20 win at Bullitt East. Wolfe said senior lineman Isaiah Johnson and junior running back Chayce Burton will miss the rest of the season due to their injuries.

It's questionable whether senior Spike Sowells (NC State commit) and junior Joerje Jewell – both offensive linemen – as well as junior quarterback Jordan Williams will play again against Manual, Wolfe said.

And with Male set to open the Class 6A playoffs against Eastern next week, Wolfe is unsure how to play his hand.

“That’s the million-dollar question,” Wolfe said. “There are a lot of important decisions about who to play and who not to play. There's no guarantee that you'll win if you play everyone, or that you'll advance in the playoffs if you don't play everyone. There is simply no easy answer. I’m going to have to deal with this until game time.”

Male and Manual are together with Trinity, St.

But the injuries hit Male hardest in the two places where it appeared to have an advantage over its top rivals.

First, an offensive line that returned all five starters from last season was disintegrated by the loss of Johnson and injuries to Sowells and Jewell.

Burton had developed into one of the state's top running backs in the Class of 2026, but was forced to sit out this season after suffering a lower leg injury on Oct. 18 against Fern Creek. Burton averaged 908 yards and 15 touchdowns on 7.1 yards per carry this season.

“It’s just a matter of luck,” Wolfe said of the injuries. “That's how it goes. … Obviously it's a big blow talent-wise.”

With Burton out, senior Maurkailyn Churn and sophomore Shelton Sweeney will share time as Male's top running back. Churn (20 carries, 116 yards) and Sweeney (17 carries, 78 yards) both had solid performances against Bullitt East.

Wolfe said Male relied on the run because of his injuries on the offensive line – 45 run attempts, six pass attempts.

“You keep giving it away because you’re not sure you can protect the quarterback,” Wolfe said.

If Williams is out at quarterback, sophomore Tyson Kinsel and freshman Leon Melvin are the options to replace him.

The wild card is senior Antonio Harris, a University of Louisville commit who has played at quarterback, running back and wide receiver this season and has 13 touchdowns (eight receiving, five rushing).

Harris will likely have to play a key role if Male is to continue its dominance in the Old Rivalry, which began in 1893. Male leads the series 90-45-6 and has won 10 straight meetings.

Friday's edition will likely be one of the toughest for Wolfe and his Bulldogs.

“It’s a unique situation because the game means nothing and everything at the same time,” Wolfe said. “It's a fight. …Should I shut the guys down and get ready for the playoffs? Are we trying to push through and win this game – as important as it is for the men's community – and take a chance on some guys having to deal with some injuries? I wish I had the answer.”

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Follow X @kyhighs.

The man battles injuries at Old Rivalry vs. Manual

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