You want to know whats not fair? If every Catholic kid that plays for Highlands went to NewCath then that there my friend would be really unfair. Just sayin:thumb:

 

NewCath does it the right way and they know how to win...

 

No truer words spoken. That my friend would be "SCARY"!!!! Two that come to mind right off the bat....Harris and Greene....YIKES!

No truer words spoken. That my friend would be "SCARY"!!!! Two that come to mind right off the bat....Harris and Greene....YIKES!

 

Cmon.

 

How bout Abner, Wrobleski, Urhlage, Murray, Bardo, Gall, Pangallo, Kruse, on Defense.

 

Offense goes Greene and Harris, Little, Weyer and others...

 

Add just what I listed into the roster and now people aren't screaming unfair they are screaming assault and battery...LOL

 

Spooky to think but it is what it is...:thumb:

 

People around the state of KY do not realize that NewCath and Highlands are 5 mins apart and our area is strong and will never fully understand...:thumb:

 

The scary part for 4A. Highlands would still be Highlands without those guys and 6A teams would be playing 1A NewCath to get better...LOL

Cmon.

 

How bout Abner, Wrobleski, Urhlage, Murray, Bardo, Gall, Pangallo, Kruse, on Defense.

 

Offense goes Greene and Harris, Little, Weyer and others...

 

Add just what I listed into the roster and now people aren't screaming unfair they are screaming assault and battery...LOL

 

Spooky to think but it is what it is...:thumb:

 

People around the state of KY do not realize that NewCath and Highlands are 5 mins apart and our area is strong and will never fully understand...:thumb:

 

The scary part for 4A. Highlands would still be Highlands without those guys and 6A teams would be playing 2A NewCath to get better...LOL

 

Only brought those two up Harris and Greene) because I had just finished talking about these two with someone.

 

Your last line is 100% accurate.

Cmon.

 

How bout Abner, Wrobleski, Urhlage, Murray, Bardo, Gall, Pangallo, Kruse, on Defense.

 

Offense goes Greene and Harris, Little, Weyer and others...

 

Add just what I listed into the roster and now people aren't screaming unfair they are screaming assault and battery...LOL

 

Spooky to think but it is what it is...:thumb:

 

People around the state of KY do not realize that NewCath and Highlands are 5 mins apart and our area is strong and will never fully understand...:thumb:

 

The scary part for 4A. Highlands would still be Highlands without those guys and 6A teams would be playing 1A NewCath to get better...LOL

 

100% accurate, as you see such last names and siblings of those players at NewCath over the years. With that, it kind of connects Highlands and NewCath in a way.

Pizza pizza!

I'm taking NewCath in a close one.

Newport Central Catholic 28

Somerset 21

I guess it's my turn to give my 2 cents on this one. If the Breds can play 4 quarters of "intense" football, I like their chances of making it to BG. The penalties have to be kept to a minimum, as well as, the turnovers. The Breds need to capitalize on every scoring opportunity they get and put the Jumpers in a hole. In talking to Jumper_Dad over the course of the season Somerset has been a "Jekyll and Hyde" team, however they have battled hard in the playoffs and have done what it takes to get to this game.

 

The Briar Jumpers are looking to repeat what happened exactly 30 years ago on this same field with a trip to the state finals on the line....and that is WIN. In that game in 1983 NewCath missed an 18 yard FG in the closing seconds to fall 8-7. I look for a good game from two teams that have a history of being opponents in big games such as this one, in the end I see nothing but another "classic" battle.

 

Game time temperature will be in the low 20's, so bundle up boys and girls. :yuck:

FYI Rabbits live in holes, been in a hole the last 3 weeks and came back...maybe you should let us get out to a big lead...say 35-0 then mount your comeback.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20131127/SPT030201/311270139/

 

Per Richard Skinner

 

SOMERSET (8-4) vs. NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (9-4)

 

When/Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Newport Stadium.

 

Last Week: Somerset beat Prestonsburg, 28-21; Newport Central Catholic beat Gallatin County, 34-12.

 

Last Season: Newport Central Catholic won in state semifinals, 27-18.

 

Team Offensive Averages: Somerset – 25.6 ppg, 331.9 yards per game (174.5 rushing, 156.4 passing). Newport Central Catholic –30.5 ppg, 302.6 yards per game (162.5 rushing, 140.1 passing).

 

Team Defensive Averages: Somerset – 22.0 ppg, 285.2 yards per game (174.0 rushing, 111.2 passing). Newport Central Catholic – 17.6 ppg, 267.1 yards per game (130.5 rushing, 136.6 passing).

 

Somerset Statistical Leaders:

 

Rushing – Jordan Doan (80 for 626 yards, 5 TDs); Bryson Jones (84 for 430, 15 TDs); Castle Hatcher (62 for 305 yards, 4 TDs).

 

Passing – Castle Hatcher (110 of 241 for 1,740 yards, 15 TDs, 11 INTs).

 

Receiving – Cam Cheuvront (58 catches for 987 yards, 12 TDs); Brayden McWilliams (17 for 268, 0 TDs).

 

Defense – Bailey McEnroe (141 tackles); Devin Griffith (83 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries); Bryson Jones (89 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries); Alex Franklin (5 INTs, 58 tackles).

 

NewCath Statistical Leaders:

 

Rushing – Jacob Smith (161 for 904 yards, 11 TDs); Mac Franzen (131 for 577, 6 TDs); Jack Sutkamp (66 for 367, 8 TDs).

 

Passing – Mac Franzen (115 of 193 for 1,794 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs).

 

Receiving – Brandon Gray (31 catches for 414 yards, 3 TDs); Tommy Donnelly (29 for 599, 7 TDs); Jacob Smith (14 for 209, 2 TDs); Nate Enslen (14 for 181, 3 TDs).

 

Defense – Jack Sutkamp (179 tackles, 111 solo); Tyler Lyon (91 tackles, 5 fumble recoveries); Kobe Tallon (86 tackles); Kalvin Moore (81 tackles); Nate Enslen and Brandon Gray (2 INTs each).

 

Litkenhous Ratings: Newport Central Catholic 91.9, Somerset 87.1.

 

Noteworthy: The winner advances to the state championship game to play the Murray-Desales winner at noon ET on Dec. 7 in Bowling Green. … NewCath is seeking to advance to the Class 2A state title game for the fifth time in the seven seasons since it moved up from Class A. The Thoroughbreds won the title in 2010 and 2012 and were runner-up in 2007 and 2008. … NewCath has won eight straight games since a 1-4 start (7-0 vs. Class 2A teams and a win over Class A Beechwood). Three of those four losses came to Class 6A teams (Simon Kenton, Dixie Heights and Campbell County) that finished with combined record of 28-9. … NewCath has outscored its seven Class 2A opponents this season by a combined 270-54 (an average score of 38-8). … Alex Franklin has kicked six field goals for Somerset. … John Caudill has kicked four field goals for NewCath. … Somerset got a huge performance in last week’s win from senor running back Will Lange, who caught two passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter when Somerset rallied from a 21-14 deficit, and also rushed for 60 yards on 14 carries. Injuries had limited him to just three games prior in which he rushed for 172 yards and six touchdowns and had four catches for 57 yards.

FYI Rabbits live in holes, been in a hole the last 3 weeks and came back...maybe you should let us get out to a big lead...say 35-0 then mount your comeback.

 

Then we need to keep them in the hole from the outset. :lol2:

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

In many ways, it seems automatic, especially since 2000.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team wins a region crown and finds itself playing for a state championship two weeks later. That has happened eight times since 2000 and 11 times following their 12 overall regional championships.

The defending Class 2A champion Thoroughbreds (9-4 overall) would love to make it 12 straight times in 13 state semifinal appearances and extend their eight-game winning streak. But they need to prove themselves to the most common state semifinal opponent in the 8-4 Somerset Briar Jumpers on Friday at 7 p.m at Newport Stadium.

The schools meet for the sixth time in history – all in the state semifinals since 1983. Somerset won the first meeting, 8-7 in 1983 before losing to Fort Knox in the Class AA title game.

But NewCath has won the previous four meetings on its way to four of its five state championships. The Thoroughbreds beat the Briar Jumpers in the AA semifinals in 1984 (17-0), 2005 (35-10), 2006 (40-24) and last year (27-18).

“We fully expect to take their best shot,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “They were a lot like us earlier in the year. They’re starting to get healthy. That’s why they’re starting to play well so we know what we’re getting into. We had to go tooth and nail with them last year. It’s going to be that way this year.”

Somerset enters the game against the District 6 champions on a five-game winning streak. The Briar Jumpers will hit the road for the fourth consecutive playoff game. They beat mountain teams Betsy Layne (29-20), District 7 rival Middlesboro (19-13 in overtime) and District 8 champion Prestonsburg (28-21) on their way to a fifth consecutive region crown and 16th in school history. The Briar Jumpers also lost to eventual 2A state champion Covington Holy Cross on the same field in the state semifinals two years ago.

“The previous four years, we were at home (Clark Field) so this is a departure from the ‘norm,” said Robbie Lucas, Somerset Head Coach. “We have been in three consecutive tight games. Each of these games were not decided until the last few moments. Our kids have come from behind in the last two games to win. All that being said, We still haven’t put our best game together yet. We are certainly hoping that we put our best game together this week.”

Somerset finished with the third seed out of District 7 after finishing in a three-way tie for the crown with Danville and Middlesboro. Like Louisville Trinity and Madison Southern, Somerset played just nine games in the regular season.

“Our 10th game was canceled because of a miscommunication between myself and another coach,” Lucas said. “One of us got our dates mixed up. Not having a 10th game potentially cost us our home playoff games. We ended up third based on the point system.”

The Briar Jumpers enter the game with a chip on their shoulders. They have 665 wins in school history good for eighth all-time in Kentucky. But Somerset is the lone team in the top 10 on that list that has never won a state championship. The Briar Jumpers have finished state runner-up several times, most recently losing 21-0 to Paducah Tilghman in the Class 3A state championship in 2009.

Both teams run spread offenses. But NewCath quarterback Mac Franzen goes under center and Somerset sophomore quarterback Castle Hatcher lines up in the shotgun.

NewCath has thrown for 1,822 yards and run for 2,113 behind its offensive line. Franzen has completed 115-of-193 passes for 1,794 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has also rushed for 577 yards on 131 attempts and six touchdowns.

Sophomore Jacob Smith leads NewCath rushing for 904 yards on 161 attempts and 11 touchdowns. Junior Brandon Gray leads the Thoroughbreds with 31 catches for 414 yards and three touchdowns with Tommy Donnelly hauling in 29 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns.

“They throw a lot of (schemes) at you so they do make you think,” said Dave Schneider, NewCath Offensive Coordinator. “They have a nice team. (Audibling) is something we’ve been doing well. We have a lot of confidence in that area so we hope it continues.”

Somerset runs 3-4 and 5-2 multiple defensive schemes. The Briar Jumpers have allowed 2,088 yards rushing and 1,334 passing. Bailey McEnroe led the team with 141 tackles prior to the win at Prestonsburg.

“They’re pretty big, but not as big as last year,” said Logan Neff, NewCath junior lineman. “It’s pretty much about getting low. You can’t take any play for granted. You have to play every play like it’s your last play. It could be the last game we play so you have to take advantage of what you have.”

Hatcher has thrown for 1,740 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions completing 108-of-237 passes. Cam Cheuvront has been his top target with 58 catches for 968 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“We’ll be familiar with (the spread offense),” said Kameron Winter, NewCath sophomore defensive lineman. “If they throw it long, we have guys that can get on (opposing routes). If they run up the middle, our defensive line can stop it. I think it will be a good game.”

Somerset has rushed for 2,094 yards and passed for 1,877. Bryson Jones leads the Briar Jumpers with 430 yards rushing on 84 carries and 15 touchdowns. But Will Lange rushed for 60 yards and had 125 yards on four catches and two touchdowns against Prestonsburg.

“They throw a lot of scissor (routes),” Wagner said. “(Cheuvront) is very fast. He is a tough receiver. (Bryson Jones) is a tough runner and (Will Lange) is a quick runner. We know we have our work cut out for us.”

NewCath senior linebacker Jack Sutkamp leads the team with 179 tackles. The school record for most tackles in a season is 206 by Steve Smith in 1995. Tyler Lyon leads the Thoroughbreds with five fumble recoveries with Nate Enslen and Gray nabbing a team-high two interceptions each. NewCath has allowed 1,697 yards rushing and 1,776 passing.

“(Sutkamp) jumped out to us as we watched film,” Lucas said. “He is an outstanding player. He is surrounded by 10 other outstanding football players that run to the ball with intensity. Like we do each week, we look for matchups we can win. We need to hopefully turn them over, match their intensity and put our kids in a position to win. (At) this time of the year, there is no team here by mistake.”

The winner takes on either Louisville DeSales (12-1) or Murray (9-4) in the state championship game at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time on Dec. 7. NewCath also won the crown in 2010.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: NewCath prepares for another test vs. Somerset