PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 70 St. Xavier

70. St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.)

Last season’s record: 14-1, Class 6A runner-up

Coach: Mike Glaser

Key players: RB Rolandan “Deuce” Finch (5-10, 201, Sr.), DB/WR D.J. Hall (5-11, 203, Sr.), DE Trevor Foy (6-7, 251, Sr.), OT Seth Harvey (6-4, 323, Sr.), DB Zach Kamber (5-9, 170, Sr.)

Biggest strength: RB

Question mark: Inexperience at QB and LB

Outlook: For the second time in three years, St. Xavier defeated its archrival Trinity during the regular season but were beaten by the Shamrocks in the state championship game. St. X and Trinity have combined to win 13 titles since 1990, with only five belonging to the Tigers and the most recent was in 2004. Finch’s return is a tremendous building block for an offensive unit that returns only three starters. As a junior, he ran for over 1,600 yards with 15 touchdowns. The lone veteran in the trenches is Harvey. On defense, there is a bit more experience beginning with two-way athlete Hall. Look for a big senior season from Foy, who also started as a junior and is solid Division I prospect.

Toughest games: Sept. 19 vs. Male, Sept. 26 vs. Manual, Oct. 3 vs. Trinity, Oct. 24 at Pleasure Ridge Park