article NKY Power Rankings: 10-18-18

1) 5A Covington Catholic (8-0) – On Friday, the Colonels extended an undefeated that dates back to August of 2017 by pulling out a nail-biter of a win, beating 5A Highlands (6-2) by a score of 21-14. The outcome of the game was still in question until Cov Cath defense managed to make a big 4th and 7 stop at their own 33 yard line with only 40 seconds left in the game. The passing game was lacking on Friday, with QB Caleb Jacob only at 4-10 passing for 45yds and no TDs through the air. RB Casey McGinness carried for 203yds and 2 TDs, and Duncan Summe added the other TD on a 9yd carry. Jack Coldiron and Duncan Summe were both able to contribute interceptions on the defensive side of the ball, while LB Michael Mayer led the D with 10 tackles, and Coldiron followed that up with 8 tackles. The blue Colonels will be hosting the red Colonels from 5A Dixie Heights (0-8) on Friday.

2) 5A Highlands (6-2) – The Bluebirds were oh-so-close to pulling an upset win over 5A Covington Catholic (8-0) on Friday, after forcing the Colonels to turn over on downs in the 4th quarter and taking the ball back down the field into Cov Cath territory before turning the ball over on downs themselves with only seconds left on the game clock. The Birds’ offense out-gained the Colonels’ offense 299yds to 256yds in the game, but two Highlands turnovers in their own territory ended in touchdowns for Cov Cath and ultimately decided the game. QB Grady Cramer was 14-29 passing for 114yds and 1 TD, and rushing for another 15yds and 1 TD. The TD reception came via a connection with WR Hunter Ahlfeld, who had 34yds receiving in the game. Sophomore RB Joe Buten led the ground attack for Highlands with a solid 134yds and 1 TD. Highlands will host 5A Greenwood (2-6) on Friday.

3) 1A Beechwood (6-2) – The Tigers continued their romp over district competition on Friday with a 62-13 win over 1A Ludlow (5-3) on Friday. Averaging 20yds per completion, QB Cam Hergott was 7-10 passing for 140yds and 2 TDs, while also rushing for 47yds and 1 TD. RB Jacob Sherron led the rushing game for Beechwood with 1 carry for 53yds and a TD, RB Max Nordheim had 46yds rushing and 2 TDs, and RB Logan Castleman had 26yds and 1TD. WR John Odom led the receiving corps with 66yds on 4 receptions, WR Hank Birindelli had 1 reception for 43yds and a TD, and WR Luke Bolger had 1 reception for 25yds and a TD. John Odom added a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns, making for both of the Tigers’ defensive scoring contributions in the game. Beechwood will face the final third of their district competition when they play 1A Dayton (0-7) in Dayton on Friday.

4) 6A Simon Kenton (7-2) – Simon Kenton knocked off 6A Campbell County (5-3) on Friday with a 27-7 win for the Pioneers. The game started slow, with no score at the end of the 1Q, and Simon Kenton only leading 3-0 at halftime thanks to one of kicker Christian Seger’s two FGs in the game. QB Caleb Farfsing missed the game due to injury, so sophomore backup Reed Carmony stepped in, going 6-12 passing for 66yds and rushing for 56yds. RB Jon Sergent led the ground game, rushing 26 times for 165yds and all 3 of the Pioneers’ touchdowns. LB Bryson Pernell led the defense with 9 tackles, and LB Clay Cogswell and DL Vuk Sajlovic each had 8 tackles in the game. The defense was able to find the Camels’ quarterback an impressive 8 times with sacks. Simon Kenton will play their final regular season game this Friday, traveling to Union to play 6A Ryle (2-6).

5) 6A Campbell County (5-3) – In the first half of the game on Friday, it looked like Campbell County may have had a shot at overtaking the #4 spot in the NKY Power Rankings, managing to head into halftime holding 6A Simon Kenton (7-2) to a single field goal, and only down 0-3 after the first two quarters. But the Camels couldn’t pull it off in the second half, eventually losing 27-7. QB Andrew Helton was 8-22 passing for 89yds, and rushing for 30yds. RB Grant Jolly led the team in rushing with 93yds and 1 TD on 10 carries, and WR Reid Jolly leading the team in receiving with 38yds on 3 receptions. Campbell County defensive stats were not reported for the game, although Reid Jolly was able to intercept Simon Kenton’s QB once in the game. The Camels will head to Florence to play 6A Boone County (2-6) this Friday.

6) 6A Conner (6-2) – The Cougars hosted 6A Ryle (2-6) on Friday, and managed to beat a second of their three competitors in Boone County with a 34-17 win over the Raiders. Conner’s passing game continued its notable uptick, with QB Jared Hicks going 11-23 passing for 236yds and 2 TDs, in addition to rushing for 20yds and 1 TD. Christian Webster contributed 104yds and 1 TD from his position at RB, and RB Douglas Abdon rushed for 49yds and 1 TD. WR Tate Niederman had 4 receptions good for 145yds and 1 TD, and Christian Webster had 3 receptions for 61yds and 1 TD. On the defensive side of the ball, Clayton Boyd led with 11 tackles and Colton Roy had 9 tackles. The Cougar D also had 4 interceptions, one each by Clayton Boyd, Jared Hicks, Emmanuel Merkel, and Tate Niederman. Conner will play 6A Cooper (3-5) on the road this week.

7) 6A Ryle (2-6) – The Raiders took their 6th loss of the season when they were beaten 34-17 by 6A Conner (6-2) in Hebron last Friday. QB Jake Smith was 9-23 passing in the game, for 135yds and 1 TD, and he rushed for an additional 75yds. RB Kyle England carried the ball 14 times for 94yds and 1 TD, and WR Brandon Soden led the team in receiving with 2 catches good for 59yds and 1 TD. Kicker Mason Molique added 1 FG for the Raiders. LB Luke Bradshaw had a team high 8 tackles, while DB Johnathan Coker, DE Tyson Keller, DL Brandon Nipper, and DE Cooper White each had 7 tackles. Ryle hosts 6A Simon Kenton (7-2) on Friday.

8) 2A Walton-Verona (5-2) – The Bearcats looked a little flat on Friday when they came out of their bye week and beat 2A Carroll County (4-4) by a score of 13-0. The offense only had 57yds passing in the game, although QB Garrett Jones’ 4-7 passing was able to account for both of the team’s touchdowns. RB Peyton Smith led the rushing attack for Walton-Verona with 17 carries for 86yds, and RB Tyler Schrader had 78yds on 9 carries. WR Travis Brauer caught all 4 of the pass receptions, good for 57yds and 2 TDs. LB Grant Grubbs led the defense with 1 forced fumble and 11 tackles including 2 sacks. DL Sean Spillman and DE Josh Walton also had sacks, LB Tyler Wagner added another forced fumble, and Garrett Jones had an interception from DB. The Bearcats will host 2A Gallatin County (1-6) on Friday.

9) 6A Cooper (3-5) – Cooper squeaked by 6A Boone County (2-6) on Friday with a 7-6 win over the Rebels. This made for the fifth game this season where the Jags were only able to muster a single touchdown in a game, and fortunately it was enough for a Cooper win after the Rebels’ offense, missing both its starting QB and RB, was unable to convert on an attempt for a 2-pt conversion. QB Jeremiah Lee accounted for 116 of the offense’s total 183yds in the game, with 27yds passing, and 89yds rushing, including the only TD of the game. DB Joe Poage put up 12 tackles for the defense, and LB Brian Yelton had 10 tackles. Poage also provided the team’s 1 interception on a key play to end a 68yd Boone County drive at the 1 yard line. Cooper will host 6A Conner (6-2) on Friday.

10) Newport Central Catholic (3-5) – Friday marked the first time this season where the Breds were able to put together a second straight win, improving to 3-5 with a 26-8 win over 2A Lloyd Memorial (5-3) on the road. QB Paul Kremer was 4-12 passing for 54yds and 1 TD in addition to rushing for 58yds and 1 TD. RB Hunter Cain carried the ball 19 times for 124yds and 1 TD, and RB Hezekiah Miller rushed 7 times for 81yds and 1 TD. WR Caleb Jefferson had 1 catch in the game, good for a 34yd New Cath TD. Hunter Cain also had one interception on the defensive side of the ball. New Cath will take on cross-town rival 2A Newport (5-3) on Friday.

TRENDING UP:

2A Newport Central Catholic (Previously Un-Ranked) – The Breds dropped off of the NKY Power Rankings after their September 21st loss to 6A Conner (6-2), but have fought their way back into the #10 spot of the rankings thanks to a 26-8 win over 2A Lloyd Memorial (5-3) this past week.

TRENDING DOWN:

6A Cooper (Previously #9) – The Jaguars fell to #9 in the NKY Power Rankings this week. They may have won on Friday, but they only barely pulling out a win over un-ranked 6A Boone County (2-6), who was playing without their starting QB and starting RB.

GAME OF THE WEEK RECAP: WEEK 8

5A Covington Catholic vs. 5A Highlands

This one was might have been closer than many folks across the NKY and the state expected, and it was really even closer than the 21-14 final score let on. Highlands won the battle for total offensive yardage in the game, and may well have pulled off an upset were it not for a 1st half Bluebirds fumble recovered by Cov Cath deep in Highlands territory, and a second half interception that gave the also gave Colonels the ball in Highlands territory. Both turnovers resulted in Cov Cath touchdowns. This rivalry is likely to have a rematch in the playoffs, and should make for another great game to watch.

GAME OF THE WEEK: WEEK 9

2A Newport vs. 2A Newport Central Catholic

Although New Cath is the favorite to win this one, this contest stands as one of the oldest rivalries in northern Kentucky, with both teams having a “home field advantage” in the game. New Cath comes in towards the end of a 3-5 season that has proven difficult as of yet, and Newport has done pleasingly well for themselves this season with a 5-3 record.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: WEEK 8

RB Joe Buten (5A Highlands) – As a sophomore running back, Buten has seen his fair share of time in the backfield for the Birds, but his best performance of the season, to date, has to be his game on Friday. At 5’8” and 180lbs, Buten proved to be an impressive foil to the Covington Catholic defense, rushing for 134yds and 1 TD against a defense that had only allowed 357 total rushing yards in their previous 7 games combined.

Nice job.

Interesting choice for player of the week. McGinness rushed for 203 and 2 td's in the Colonel victory.

Interesting choice for player of the week. McGinness rushed for 203 and 2 td's in the Colonel victory.

Not taking away from McGinness, he had a great game against a very good Birds defense and essentially carried the offense. But Buten being a sophomore and picking up 134 on a very good CovCath defense....

Interesting choice for player of the week. McGinness rushed for 203 and 2 td's in the Colonel victory.

I think most expected big yards from McGinness. I don't know how much CCH was looking at the sophomore from HHS to do anything though. It's really the first time he got more than 4-5 carries in a game. For him to do that against a VERY GOOD CCH D was more than impressive. Both had great games. I think one just caught people by surprise.

Holmes has won 4 in a row, they have to be trending up. Thanks for the rankings.

Interesting choice for player of the week. McGinness rushed for 203 and 2 td's in the Colonel victory.

I wasn't trying to slight Casey. He did a fantastic job in the game on Friday....as he has every Friday all season.

My intention was more to just bring attention to how well Buten did as a sophomore against one of the top defenses in the state. Joe is going to be really fun to continue to follow for the next two years.

Holmes has won 4 in a row, they have to be trending up. Thanks for the rankings.

You're very right. That was absolutely an oversight on my part.

Carroll County was a good win for WV. Carroll is definitely much improved and on the rise. WV also had four two way starters out and played in extremely wet conditions. All that being said they pitched a shut out and did enough on O to win. With players back they should be ready for a playoff run!

I wasn't trying to slight Casey. He did a fantastic job in the game on Friday....as he has every Friday all season.

 

My intention was more to just bring attention to how well Buten did as a sophomore against one of the top defenses in the state. Joe is going to be really fun to continue to follow for the next two years.

No worries.

Just think a case could be made that CovCath does't win the game without McGinness' performance. If you take Buten out, the outcome of the game doesn't change.

No worries.

 

Just think a case could be made that CovCath does't win the game without McGinness' performance. If you take Buten out, the outcome of the game doesn't change.

Without Buten CovCath would have had 2 or 3 more positions. Both teams did a great job bending but not breaking. Takeaways were the difference.

No worries.

 

Just think a case could be made that CovCath does't win the game without McGinness' performance. If you take Buten out, the outcome of the game doesn't change.

Interesting point that got me thinking. Who is the back up RB for CCH? Despite all the running clock margins, no other RB has more than 4 carries in a game for CCH. Would they move Reusch to RB if Casey got hurt?

Interesting point that got me thinking. Who is the back up RB for CCH? Despite all the running clock margins, no other RB has more than 4 carries in a game for CCH. Would they move Reusch to RB if Casey got hurt?

Probably Daniel Felix. He is usually who they have switched in the handful of times that McGinness has had to come off the field. Felix is a hard runner...more of a fullback type, but I would guess we would see Felix and Reusch both at RB if Casey was hurt.