Now that many teams around the country have started to shift their attentions towards in-state play, the number of high-profile interstate high school football matchups have started to dwindle down.
For fans looking for one of the best of those matchups this week, look no further than Louisville, Kentucky, as Trinity (KY) hosts Baylor (TN) in a massive Super 25 showdown.
Both teams enter this game unbeaten at 3-0 and have primarily played games against other out-of-state opponents. Baylor’s season-opener vs. Brentwood Academy was the only game either team has played against another in-state game.
Someone’s unbeaten streak has to end, so will the Shamrocks keep their run going or will the Red Raiders and its superstar running back up their winning streak to 16 games?
Here are the three biggest keys that will decide Friday night’s massive showdown between Kentucky and Tennessee’s top programs.
Can the Shamrocks find a way to slow down David Gabriel Georges?
Trinity’s offense has gotten its fair share of the shine so far this year and for good reason. The Shamrocks opened the season scoring 50 or more points in back-to-back games, but their defense has been equally as impressive.
With the offense averaging 47.3 points per game, their defense has only given up more than 20 points once and they’re allowing an average of 16 points.
This week provides their ultimate test though as they have yet to face an offense as potent as Baylor or a player like Tennessee five-star running back commit David Gabriel Georges.
Gabriel Georges, the No. 2 running back in the 2027 cycle and a preseason ALL-America selection, has been on a tear to open his senior season. He opened the season with a 179-yard and three-touchdown performance against Brentwood Academy (TN) in a nationally televised game.
A week later, he earned some rest in a 37-12 win over Loudoun Sports Academy (VA), only carrying the ball eight times for 70 yards and a touchdown. He returned back to form last week in a 51-33 shootout win over Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA), carrying the ball 16 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Cornbread vs. Vanderbilt 4-star commit
While slowing down Gabriel Georges will be the main priority for Trinity’s defense, they’ll have to do that while also slowing down a potent passing attack as well.
Four-star Ole Miss commit Keegan Croucher has excelled since arriving in Chattanooga before his senior season and made connections with several of the Red Raiders’ receivers. Arguably his biggest weapon is rising 2028 four-star wide receiver Antwaun “Cornbread” Adams.
Adams holds several Power Four offers already and has scored a touchdown in each of his first three games with the Red Raiders.
Likely lining up across from Adams will be future Vanderbilt Commodore Allen Evans. The No. 92 player in the 2027 USA TODAY Sports composite ranking and No. 2 player out of Kentucky, Evans has been committed to Vandy since June 26.
Adams and Evans are both similarly sized and have eerily similar playing styles. A big night from Evans on Adams would force Baylor to lean more on Gabriel Georges or force Croucher to rely on other targets outside, such as 2028 four-star tight end Braxton Rein.
Trinity has to put the pressure on Baylor’s defense
Whenever Baylor’s offense is off the field, Trinity’s offense has to make the most of their opportunities. Getting into a shootout with the Red Raiders is never ideal, so long, efficient offensive drives will be massive for the Shamrocks.
Trinity’s offense has shown this year that they can score on will on anyone thanks to the play of guys like quarterback Zane Johnson and running back Jamaurion Berry.
In their season-opening 59-13 win over Anderson, the Shamrocks came out hot, outscoring the Raptors 45-13 in the first half. A week later they crushed Christian Brothers College (MO) 52- 21 but were dominant in the second half, outscoring the Cadets 28-7.
USF commit Khori Faulkner has been a standout for the Baylor defense this season but in their first road game of the season, the Red Raiders gave up a season-high in points to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee. Brentwood Academy also found success passing the ball against Baylor’s secondary before Gabriel Georges put that game away in the fourth quarter.
Final Prediction
Trinity has by far been one of the most impressive teams in the country, regardless of region. Opening the season with a blowout win over a then-ranked Anderson team opened some eyes and they followed that up with another huge road win.
Coming home and getting revenge against Archbishop Moeller was equally impressive. If they were playing anyone else, it would be easy to pick them but Baylor has a true x-factor in Gabriel Georges.
Historically, Gabriel Georges shines in big moments. In each of his nationally televised games, he’s rushed for over 175 yards and scored multiple touchdowns. In Baylor’s two games against McCallie last year, he nearly ran for a combined 1,000 yards and had close to double-digit touchdowns. In the DII-AAA championship game last December, he had over 200 all-purpose yards.
If the Shamrocks do shut him down, Baylor has so many weapons Croucher can get the ball to in order to open the offense up and get Gabriel Georges going. Expect Trinity to make this a game all night but for Gabriel Georges to take over late and pick up a huge road win.
Score Prediction: Baylor 38, Trinity 28
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No. 13 Baylor vs. No. 19 Trinity: Breaking down Super 25 Game of the Week
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