article NKY Power Rankings 09-13-17 - Sponsored by NKY Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

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THE RANKINGS:

1) 5A Covington Catholic (4-0) – Covington Catholic took a trip across the Ohio River on Friday to play OH-DII Kings (1-2). Job 1 for the Colonels was stuffing Kings’ RB Nak’Emon Williams, who had averaged over 200yds per game in his first two outings, and Cov Cath did so by holding him to only 53yds on Friday in their 35-14 victory. AJ Mayer connected with seven receivers for 262yds and 3 TDs passing, plus another TD on the ground. AJ’s younger brother, sophomore Michael Mayer, led the defense with 9 tackles including 2 sacks. Covington Catholic heads down Dixie Highway this week for their annual rivalry match against 1A Beechwood (3-0).

2) 6A Simon Kenton (4-0) – Simon Kenton had their first home game of the season on Friday against 5A Dixie Heights, and sent them home with a loss, beating the Colonels 59-21. The Pioneer offense rebounded from the week prior with 410 total yards, and QB Matt Shearer passed for 254yds and 4 TD’s in the romp. Hayden Fisher had 4 catches for 97yds and 2 TDs, and Brandon Smith added another 110yds on 4 catches of his own. Simon Kenton hosts a struggling 6A Cooper team (0-4) this Saturday.

3) 6A Ryle (3-1) – Ryle is starting tighten up their game and get back to form after a couple of rocky weeks the at the beginning of the season. This week the Raiders took on 5A Highlands (2-2) and handed the Birds their second loss of the season. The offense had an impressive 570 total yards, led again by RB Jake Chisholm who put up 265yds and 5 TDs. QB Easton Pilyer added 118yds and 1 TD in the air, plus 136 more yards on the ground. Caden Mogge and Jackson Saladin led the D with 11 tackles each, and Justin Selby added another 10 tackles. Ryle hosts 6A Campbell County (3-1) this week.

4) 1A Beechwood (3-0) – Going into Friday’s game, most everyone outside of Ft. Mitchell considered Beechwood the underdog against 3A Corbin (3-1). It was definitely a battle, but the Tigers came out on top, beating the Redhounds 36-29. QB Brayden Burch passed for 231yds and 3 TDs, but it was senior Daniel Mescher and with his 110yds receiving and 3 FGs that proved to be the most clutch performance for Beechwood. The Tigers will have another major battle on their hands this week when they play host to the rival 5A Covington Catholic Colonels (4-0) on Friday.

5) 5A Highlands (2-2) – Highlands continues to leave Bluebirds fans wondering how their team is progressing after losing 49-27 to 6A Ryle (3-1) on Friday at home. The Birds are averaging a respectable 29 points per game, but on the flipside, their opponents are averaging 40 points per game against them. QB Carl Schoellman had another stellar performance, passing for 362yds and 4 TDs despite the loss. Receivers Nick Veneman caught for 155yds and TDs, and Jared Wogan caught for 126yds and 2 TDs of his own. Highlands welcomes 3A Lexington Catholic (2-2) to Fort Thomas this week.

6) 6A Campbell County (3-1) – The Camels put another one in the W column on Friday, winning 47-27 over the 6A Cooper Jaguars (0-4). Campbell County’s defense had a couple of small breakdowns that the Jags were able to capitalize on, but QB Austin Hoeh and RB Alex Dowds managed to successfully lead the offense to the team’s victory, with Hoeh passing for 206yds and 4 TDs, and Dowds rushing for 178yds and 3 TDs. Campbell County takes on their toughest opponent yet this Friday when they head to Union to take on the 6A Ryle Raiders (3-1).

7) 6A Conner (2-1) – Looking purely at yardage last week, the game between the Cougars and the 4A Scott Eagles (2-2) was a close one, with Conner’s offense gaining 367 total yards, and Scott’s offense gaining 355 total yards. The scoreboards spoke otherwise, though, with the Cougars coming away with a 47-27 win. Andrew Davis and Tate Niederman led the defense with 11 tackles a piece, while QB Cooper Gullion passed for 113yds and 2 TDs on the offensive side, along with RB Trevor Courts’ 163yds and 2 TDs rushing. Conner plays 5A Dixie Heights (0-4) at Dixie this week.

8) Newport Central Catholic (2-2) – The Breds had another tough loss this week, losing 54-29 to 3A Belfry. New Cath’s offense had a hard time finding much success rushing (93yds), and despite recovering 7 Belfry fumbles, the defense had a hard time stopping the Pirates’ run game (332yds). QB Paul Kremer connected with four different receivers for TDs, passing for 213yds in the loss. This week Newport Central Catholic will host the defending 2A champs, Christian Academy Louisville (4-0).

9) 4A Scott (2-2) – The Eagles are now 1-1 against teams from higher classes. This week they took a 47-27 loss at the hands of 6A Conner (2-1). Scott has had some struggles when it comes to their passing game this season, but QB Chad Ohmer was able to connect 8 times for 123yds and 1 TD in the air on Friday, and five different ball carriers ran for 265yds and 3 TDs on the ground, including a fourth straight 100+ yard performance for RB Quincy Perrin. The Eagles will be regrouping this week during their bye week.

10) 2A Walton-Verona (3-1) – Walton-Verona had a shutout romp over the 2A Holy Cross Indians on Friday, sending the Indians back to Latonia by scoring 56 unanswered points on them. It was the second shutout win in a row for the Bearcats. QB Garrett Jones passed for 100yds and 1 TD, and Walton-Verona had 6 different ball carriers rush for TDs. The offense put up 496 total yards in the victory. The Bearcats head to Lexington to take on 2A Lexington Christian Academy (4-0) on Friday.

GAME OF THE WEEK: WEEK 4

1A Beechwood vs. 5A Covington Catholic

Both teams are ranked #1 in their respective classes, statewide. Both teams come into the game undefeated. Covington Catholic is boasting their best start to a season in 25 years, and Beechwood is boasting what may be their most talented team top-to-bottom in over a decade. On top of that, this is undoubtedly a rivalry week, with the two schools located within 2 miles of one another.

Many of these young men grew up playing backyard ball at one another’s houses. Many of their fathers and uncles played against one another, and some of their fathers and uncles even played for the other team. It’s a big game for these two…and if you want a seat, you’d better get there early!

TRENDING UP:

1A Beechwood (3-0) – The Tigers had a huge win over 3A Corbin this week, and in doing so, took down one of the best 3A contenders in the state.

5A Covington Catholic (4-0) – The players on the team weren’t even alive the last time Cov Cath had a start to their season like this one. The Colonels beat OH-DII Kings this week 35-14.

3A Ludlow (3-0) – The Panthers are currently enjoying their first 3-0 start since 2004 after putting a 40-7 beating on the 2A Gallatin County Wildcats (2-2) on Friday.

TRENDING DOWN:

2A Carroll County (1-2) – The Panthers were on the wrong side of a big shutout this week, losing 56-0 to 1A Kentucky Country Day (4-0). This week they take on Eminence (3-1).

4A Holmes (0-3) – The Bulldogs are still searching for their first win this season, and lost 27-6 to the 6A Boone County Rebels on Friday. This week they take on 2A Lloyd Memorial (2-1).

2A Holy Cross (0-4) – The Indians are no doubt in a rebuilding year following their trip to the 2A semifinals last year. They have been outscored 225-36 in the first four games of the season. This week they take on Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, OH (1-2).