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This great matchup between the DuPont Manual Crimsons and the Male Bulldogs has been played since 1893. For 126 years, both teams have met on the field to battle for the Barrel, Kentucky’s oldest rivalry prize. The Crimsons look to end a losing streak to Male, who has dominated the last five years of meetings between the two schools. The records currently sits in Male’s favor at 85-45-6.

MVP

Jaylin Bross
Manual High School

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Michael Morgan

Manual High School

Michael plays a DB for the rams and holds a 4.15 weight GPA. He is a four-year member of the football and track team. He serves captain for both teams this senior year. Michael also takes part in the Manual Black Student Union.
Christopher Malala

Male High School

Chris is a 4-year Varsity football player with a 3.9 GPA. He is also a member of the CHOIR and FCA. Chris was named first-team all-district in 2018 and honorable mentions all-state. This year he has been named pre-season all-metro Louisville first-team selection

HALL OF FAME

The 1969 Manual Crimson Team

Manual High School

Tonight’s Hall of Fame inductees for Manual High School are representatives of the 1969 football team who played 50 years ago in one of the last Thanksgiving Day games at Fairgrounds Stadium in front of over 14,000 fans. Entering the game with a two-touchdown underdog to a formidable Male Bulldogs team which had been touted as the top contender for the 1969 state championship, the 1969 Crimson team chose to believe not in records or potential, but rather in themselves and the Manual spirit of the Class of 1970. With a senior laden team led on offense by quarterback William Louden and on defense by linebacker Oliver Glenn, the Crimsons fought back from an early deficit to win the game by two touchdowns. Led by seniors with names like Simpson, MacDonald, McLaurine, Wells, Chambers, White, Bell, Louden, Ferguson, Ford and a roster filled with players who refused to lose, the Crimson team made Thanksgiving Day 1969 one for the ages in Manual football history. This was a day when school spirit overcame the tallest odds and produced a final score of Manual 20 Male 6. No more - No less. Accepting the awards tonight on the 50th Anniversary of their upset victory are the members of the 1969 Manual Crimson team from the Class of 1970.

GAME SUMMARY

The Battle of the Barrel is one of the most competitive high school football games in the country. With a history that dates back to 1893, this game has earned the right to be called "The Old Rivalry". This year's match lived up to the hype. With Manual taking a quick lead in the game, Male had some catching up to do. By the end of the first half, Male had closed the scoring gap and brought fans to their feet. Both teams traded blow and touchdowns in the second half leading up to a big finish. With Manual set to kick a field and win by 1 point, a snapping error caused some confusion, forcing the kicker to pick up the ball and run with. The Male defense quickly consumed the kicker, stopping to drive to the goal line. In a stunning finish, Male beat Manual with a score of 22-21.