With the start of each week and the change of weather to colder temperatures, we are getting closer and closer to playoff football. Let’s take a look back at the games from this past week and what the playoff picture currently looks like.

 

Beechwood 56 Dayton 0

As expected, the Tigers continued to steamroll Class A competition as they handled Dayton and got their first defensive shutout of the year. Beechwood got started with an 82 yard Ethan Stringer touchdown run with 7:10 left in the first quarter and never looked back. Stringer finished with two touchdowns on the night, while Beechwood’s Max Shover and Brayden Combs both had interception returns for touchdowns. Beechwood has secured the #1 seed in the playoffs.

 

Bellevue 54 Ludlow 20

After a close first half, the Tigers pulled away for a big victory to secure the #2 seed and home playoff game. Bellevue racked up 593 yards on offense, with Dylan Huff accounting for 190 total yards and 4 touchdowns, while Blake Stephenson had 8 catches for 129 yards. Tyler Ackerson finished 15 of 29 for 277 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also rushing for 41 yards on 11 carries. The Bellevue defense held Dayton to -19 yards rushing and 77 yards passing.

 

Campbell County 40 Ryle 7

After dropping back to back games to Conner and Simon Kenton, the Camels have won back to back games over Dixie and Ryle to put them in the driver seat for the #2 seed in the playoffs. Campbell County finished with 357 yards of total offense with quarterback Avery Wood accounting for 125 rushing yards and 97 rushing yards. Alex Howard, Brandon Morris, Avery Wood, and Jake Zabonick all reached the end zone to help put the Camels at 5-3 with two weeks left in the regular season.

 

Conner 53 Grant County 6

It was the Drew Barker show as the senior quarterback joined the rare 50/50 club while finishing 16 of 19 passing for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns while also rushing for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns. 7 different receivers caught a pass with 3 reaching the end zone as the Conner offense tallied 556 total yards while giving up just 166 yards on defense. Jeff Martin led the Conner rushing attack with 9 carries for 72 yards, while Jesse McKeehan (2 catches, 58 yards), Isaiah Ebarb (49 yards receiving, 1 touchdown), and Michael Postel (2 catches, 75 yards, touchdown) were the receiving leaders. Andrew Way and Ryan Romey also combined for 9 catches and 109 yards receiving. Conner will know their fate for the playoffs and whether or not they get the home playoff game after this Friday night.

 

Covington Catholic 42 Harrison County 6

It was all Colonels as the Park Hills squad improved to 6-2 and should have the advantage for the home playoff game and #2 seed in the district. Covcath dominated on both sides of the ball, piling up 539 yards of offense while only giving up 170 yards on defense. Quarterback Sam Dressman finished with 280 yards passing in the win.

 

Highlands 71 Holmes 14

The Birds dominance continued as they did exactly what has been expected of them each week to this point. Highlands finished with 446 yards of offense and gave up just 96 yards on defense, including negative – 28 yards rushing. The Birds defense intercepted Holmes QB Dasean Brumfield 3 times, despite the sophomore signal caller finishing 12 of 30 for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Drew Houliston accounted for 6 first half touchdowns. Highlands has secured the #1 seed in the district.

 

Lloyd Memorial 41 Pendleton County 14

The Juggs won their 3 straight game and have now won 5 of their last 6. touchdowns for the Juggernauts. Junior quarterback Hayden Molitor completed 7 of 14 passed for 141 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 59 yards and accounting for 4 second quarter touchdowns. Senior Jared Gabbard finished with 81 rushing yards on 15 carries. Lloyd is currently tied for the #2 seed in the district with the final regular season game deciding whether or not they host a playoff game.

 

Newport 37 Holy Cross 36 (OT)

In a game with major playoff implications, it was the Wildcats who came out on top in overtime. Holy Cross jumped out to a 10-0 lead but after back to back touchdowns by Newport to put them up 14-10, it would be back and forth the rest of the game. In overtime quarterback Charlie Mullins found senior tight end Daryl Youngman for a 10-yard touchdown, then connected with senior receiver Jayshawn Stanley for the game-winning two-point conversion. Holy Cross finished with 424 rushing yards with Jalen Beal rushing for 282 of those yards on 24 carries, but Newport was able to use big plays to keep it close and then eventually win. Charlie Mullins finished 7 of 12 passing for 76 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 7 carries. Paul Price (2 carries, 75 yards, TD) had a 73 yard touchdown run that gave Newport the 29-22 lead that eventually led to overtime.

 

Simon Kenton 19 Dixie Heights 14

In what was probably the unofficial district championship, it was the Pioneers who came out on top in a defensive struggle. Simon Kenton finished with just 190 yards of offense, but the defense was tough, allowing 192 yards. Brenan Kuntz completed 14 of 19 passes for 111 yards and was held to 20 yards rushing on 19 carries but had 2 scores. Logan Winkler led the offense out wide with 7 catches for 58 yards. Mike Krallman led the Pioneer defense with 11 tackles but it was a Kyle Mann fumble recovery that helped the Pioneers secure the win. Simon Kenton guaranteed themselves the #1 seed and a home playoff game with the win.

 

South Oldham 30 Scott 20

The Eagles undefeated season and 7 game win streak came to an end Friday night, despite Josh Castleman rushing for 179 yards and 3 scores on 36 carries. South Oldham was able to pile up 428 yards of offense compared to Scott’s 297. The Eagles had success on the ground but quarterback Ben Osborne finished 2 of 7 passing for 24 yards and an interception. Even though they lost, Scott still has a chance to host a home playoff game with this week deciding their fate.

 

Newport Catholic 41 Bishop Brossart 0

The Breds defense pitched a shutout for the first time this season and gave up just 62 yards and forced and recovered 3 fumbles as they improved to 3-0 in the district after dropping 4 straight. The offense was led by sophomore running back Jake Smith, who finished with 130 yards rushing and 3 scores on 13 carries. Mac Franzen completed 12 of 16 passes for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns, while senior Brandon Gray had 7 catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns as the Newcath offense finished with 364 yards. Newcath will have the #1 seed in the district when the playoffs start.

 

With that said, let’s take a look at how the rankings shake up this week:

 

NKY Top 10: Week 8

1. Highlands (8-0)

2. Simon Kenton (9-0)

3. Covington Catholic (6-2)

4. Conner (6-2)

5. Scott (7-1)

6. Campbell County (5-3)

7. Dixie Heights (5-3)

8. Beechwood (5-3)

9. Cooper (2-6)

10. Newport Central Catholic (4-4)

 

Coming up:

Ludlow (3-5) at Beechwood (5-3)

Dayton (2-6) at Bellevue (4-5)

Holy Cross (1-7) at Newport Catholic (4-4)

Newport 3-5 at Lloyd Memorial (6-3)

Bishop Brossart (2-6) at Pendleton County Saturday

Holmes (5-3) at Covington Catholic (6-2) Saturday

Highlands (8-0) at Cincinnati Elder

Scott (7-1) at Conner (6-2)

Cooper (2-6) at Grant County

Ryle (2-7) at Dixie Heights (5-3)

Campbell County (5-3) at Boone County (0-8)

Simon Kenton (9-0) at Bullitt Central

Top notch again Walter.

 

I am really looking forward to the Conner, Scott game. Should be classic. I'm picking Conner but Scott should be so happy with their season. Great to see and long overdue.

 

Cooper needs to get a win and then forget everything that happened this season and start a new for the playoffs.

Holy Cross at Newcath is our Nkysports.com game of the week.

 

Conner v Scott and Newport v Lloyd have the biggest playoff implications this week.

Good report, as always.

 

For clarification though, I am assuming you meant Ben Dressman, not Sam, as the QB for Cov Cath.

 

As to the rankings, I think Scott is too high but they can prove me wrong in the game against Conner this week. A loss to Conner would seem to show Scott's record is in big part a product of scheduling. No doubt the Eagles have a good team, but when we are doing rankings and comparing them against other good teams to judge who should be ranked where, schedule is a big factor that must be considered.

I see your point VOR and agree completely.

 

I personally think you could rank Scott 5, 6, 7, or 8 and not be wrong.

Tonight at 8PM you can watch the replay of Dixie/Simon Kenton game on Time Warner TBNK Sports channel.