After two weeks of playoff football, there are 5 Northern Kentucky teams still with hopes of a state championship in their respective class. In fact, every class that features a Northern Kentucky district will see a team in the region finals, except for 5A. In this week's edition of "Inside NKY Football," we will take a look back at the second round of the playoffs and preview the region finals for the teams still playing.

 

Beechwood 47 Paris 3

The red and white Tigers continued their dominant run of wins in the first and second round of the playoffs with a 47-3 win over the Paris Greyhounds. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Fieger completed 12 of 19 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Joe Studer had 15 carries for 92 yards. The Tigers offense racked up over 200 yards on the ground but it was the play of Jonathon Stokes who 7 touches with 4 of those going for touchdowns. Stokes had 5 rushes for 12 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also catching a touchdown pass.

 

Up Next:

In what has become an annual rivalry over the years in the Region Finals, the Tigers will travel to the state capital for a match up with the Frankfort Panthers, who knocked off Bellevue last week 24-14. Frankfort sports a 10-2 record but haven't played a schedule as tough as what the Tigers have seen to date. Frankfort is led by running back Jalen Washington, who has over 1,000 all purpose yards on the season, as well as quarterback Anthony Robinson, who has passed for over 1,200 yards to date. While Frankfort can put up points in a hurry (40 ppg), the game against Bellevue proved that their offense is probably a product of the schedule. Expect Beechwood to advance to the semi finals once again for a showdown with Mayfield.

 

Frankfort 24 Bellevue 14

The black and gold Tigers end their season with a 7-5 record as a 16-0 halftime deficit was too much to overcome. Quarterback Tyler Ackerson finishes with over 3,000 yards passing on the season as he racked up 152 yards in this game. Six turnovers plagued the Tigers, despite getting a pick six themselves from Blake Stephenson, who will finish with over 1,000 yards receiving for the season.

 

Newport Central Catholic 36 Walton Verona 0

The Breds improved their record to 8-4 with a dominant run game that racked up 372 yards. Quarterback Mac Franzen finished with 179 yards and 2 TD's on just 12 carries, while sophomore running back Jake Smith carried the ball 16 times for 145 yards and a touchdown. Franzen also finished 6 of 10 passing for 120 yards and a touchdown as the Breds offense totaled 492 yards compared to Walton's 168. Jack Sutkamp and Brandon Gray had the other two Newcath touchdowns. Kobe Tallon led the defense with 16 tackles, with Sutkamp and Gray also making an impact on that side of the ball with 13 and 11 tackles, respectively.

 

Up Next:

Newcath will travel to 10-2 Gallatin County this week in a rematch from the first round of the playoffs last year, won by Newcath 49-13. Gallatin comes in with a 7 game win streak and average 35 ppg but a lot of that comes from playing a soft 2A schedule. Gallatin County is led by running back Chris Brown, as well as quarterback Austin Chapman who has over 2,000 yards passing. Chapman's favorite target is receiver Nate McCoy, who has over 1,000 yards receiving. Despite the impressive stats, the Breds should roll in to the state semi finals.

 

Highlands 56 Ashland 6

The Birds improved to 11-1 with a dominant defensive effort, giving up just 38 total yards for the game. Highlands offense, which totaled 413 yards, was led by senior quarterback Drew Houliston who finished 13 of 16 passing for 243 yards and 5 touchdowns. Houliston has now passed for 3,101 yards and 44 touchdowns through 12 games. In this game, Houliston three TD passes to Mitchell Cain, Jensen Feggins, Justin Weyer, and Alex Vennman, who had two TD catches. The Birds defense forced three fumbles, with Joey Kruse returning one for 22 yards and a touchdown.

 

Up Next:

The Bluebirds will meet Covington Catholic for the second year in a row in the region finals. The Birds defeated the Colonels 42-6 in the first meeting that saw Zach Harris rush for 101 yards and three touchdowns, while Houliston passed for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 of 22 passing.

 

Covington Catholic 42 Johnson Central 14

The Colonels improved to 10-2 on the season with a 42-14 win, holding the previously unbeaten Golden Eagles 44 points below their 58 ppg average. Running back Luke Bir finished with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while quarterback Ben Dressman rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Dressman also had 53 yards passing and a touchdown. Adam Wagner led the defense with a 23 yard interception return for a touchdown.

 

Up Next:

The Colonels will travel to Ft Thomas, looking to avenge a 42-6 loss to the Birds earlier in the year in Park Hills. In that game the Colonels were held to 74 yards rushing, which will almost certainly have to improve Friday night to take pressure off of Ben Dressman and the pass game. Dressman finished 11 of 21 passing for 163 yards and a touchdown in the first game, but also threw two interceptions. Turnovers will have to be limited if Covcath wants to end the Birds 6 year streak of state championships.

 

Anderson County 35 Conner 34

Conner ends their season at 8-4 after falling on the road by one point. Conner trailed 35-21 at the end of the third quarter and almost made a comeback to tie the game with a Jesse McKeehan interception return for a touchdown, but a fake field goal pass attempt was incomplete. Conner got one more chance for a game winning drive but an interception with 5:17 left in the game ended their hopes and season. Quarterback Drew Barker finished 6 of 23 passing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Jesse McKeehan finished the game with 3 touchdowns; an 83 yards kickoff return, 50 yard reception, and 37 yard interception return.

 

Butler 14 Campbell County 7

The Camels end their season 8-3 as they fall on the road to Louisville Butler. Campbell County closed the score to 14-7 on an Avery Wood touchdown run in the 3rd quarter but that would be the only scoring for the Camels.

 

Simon Kenton 31 Dixie Heights 19

The Pioneers remained unbeaten at 12-0 with a 31-19 win over Dixie, outgaining the Colonels 382-343. Simon Kenton extended their lead to 31-19 late in the game on a Dillon Powell 13 yard touchdown run. Powell finished with 111 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Senior quarterback Brenan Kuntz rushed for two touchdowns and 84 yards on 17 carries. Kuntz also finished 12 of 18 for 184 yards and a touchdown. Logan Winkler led the receiving corps with 4 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Dixie had their chances to take a lead throughout, but two Austin Kelly interceptions ended Colonel drives.

 

Up Next:

The Pioneers will travel to Louisville to take on the 10-2 Bears. Butler has some very good skill guys but seem to be lacking on the line on both sides of the ball. Butler averages 31 ppg, while giving up 12 ppg through 12 games. The Pioneers will be a favorite but will have to continue to play well offensively. SK has now reached the region final in 5 of the previous 6 years.

Walter ... very nice report as always.

 

However, you hit Frankfort a little on their schedule and the fact is their schedule was pretty darn good. Maybe not quite as good as Beechwood's, but not far from it. They played several higher class schools who were ranked at some point during the season.The two teams that beat them are both playing in regional finals, one in 4A and the other in 5A.

I was comparing their schedule to what Beechwood has seen to date, but legit points by you VOR.