For most programs, three consecutive trips to the third round of the playoffs would be considered a huge feat in the program history. For most programs, a 10-3 season with two of those losses coming to one of the most storied programs in Kentucky and the other coming to one of the top Division I programs in Ohio and a nationally recognized power would be considered a success.

 

 

Covington Catholic football isn't like most programs, though. The Colonels have lost to rival Highlands' three straight years in the Region Championship of the playoffs, but after the injury plagued season that head Coach Dave Wirth had to endure last season, Wirth feels his 6th season as head coach could be one to remember.

 

 

" This team returns a lot of experience from an injury-plagued 2013 season," Said Wirth. " This season, if we stay healthy, we should be able to compete with anyone we play...any time any team goes through that type of adversity you're able to manufacture some success and get some guys experience. We were unfortunate last year to be in that position but at this point going in to this season we are fortunate to have those kids return with experience. "

 

 

The Colonels offense will revolve around two athletic quarterbacks in 6'0 junior Ben Dressman and 6'1 senior Adam Wagner.

 

 

Wagner had to sit out 9 of 13 games last season due to an injury suffered in the second game of the season but did manage to finish 29 of 37 for 400 yards passing, while rushing for 150 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.

 

 

Dressman, who wasn't expected to play much last season, stepped in and had a stellar sophomore season with 911 yards on 150 rushes for 10 touchdowns, while also passing for 1,730 yards and completing 125 of 210 passes for 19 touchdowns. The dual threat ability of Dressman gives Wirth a lot of different options with the two quarterbacks.

 

 

" So much of what we want to do on offense this season will revolve around those two," Wirth said. " They're both phenomenal athletes that can do a heck of a lot of things with their feet and if people are overly concerned with that and stack the box, they're more than adequate passers. They're very good passers and will have a lot of very good weapons on the perimeter. Probably the most we've ever had. It's going to be fun to watch."

 

One of the biggest things that teams will have to game plan for is not only the option of Wirth using the duo at running back and slot, but the fact that one is a right handed quarterback and the other is a left handed quarterback leaves room for even more options.

 

 

Despite the attention that the quarterback position has received in the offseason, the Colonels will also return experience at running back in junior Ben Darlington, who received a lot of hard carries last season.

 

"Ben got a lot of snaps last year and they're really valuable," Wirth said. " He's got very good speed and is a very physical runner. He makes good cuts and it really good in pass protection so we've got a good feel in the backfield."

 

 

Out wide, the Colonels will feature a lot of speed in seniors Logan McDowell, Mitch Rensing, Jake Erpenbeck, and Lee McClure, who caught 21 passes for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. The trio of McDowell, McClure, and Erpernbeck finished 2nd place in the 4x100m at state, while Erpenbeck was the 100m state champion.

 

 

The experience at receiver will allow the offense to do multiple things and maintain a balanced attack.

 

" Between those 4 guys as seniors we're in really good shape," Said Wirth. " But when you add a mix of underclassmen led by Ryan McGinnis, who had a lot of catches and yards last year, we're in pretty good shape on the perimeter."

 

Up front the Colonels will be led by 6'5 290 LB tackle Sam Murrer, who has already received offers from Ohio U, Miami U, and Western Kentucky. Coach Wirth described Murrer as a very athletic and physical lineman.

 

Transitioning to the defensive side of the ball, the Colonels will be led by 6'4 190 lb linebacker Cameron Pitzer, who led the team with 80 tackles last season as a sophomore to go along with 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. The size and athletic ability of Pitzer are just a few of the reasons why Pitzer was able to start and play every snap in all 13 games last season.

 

 

"He's a really nice player and very consistent," Coach Wirth said. " This year he's a little bigger, stronger and faster and knows the defense in and out. At the linebacking core he's cerainly going to be the anchor."

 

 

Juniors Ethan Sammons and Lucas Timmerman will help round out the linebackers with seniors Alex Wagner and 6'3 195 lb safety Ben Zumdick leading the secondary.

 

 

Wagner, the twin brother of quarterback Adam, finished with 69 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions last sesaon with Zumdick right behind Wagner with 63 tackles.

 

 

One of the main expectations of Covcath football is that they will play a challenging schedule every year to help prepare them for a state championship run.

 

 

" We have our work cut out for us with the schedule this year, " Coach Wirth said. " But expectations are high. We certainly feel like this is our year to get over the hump and make some noise and do something big. The kids feel it, the coaches feel it, and the community certainly feels it but talk is cheap and we have to do that come season and go play games and execute. "

 

With the type of season the Colonels had last season, despite the injuries, the keys for this year's team success are simple, according to Coach Wirth.

 

" Keys for success are one staying healthy and secondly, I think we have to have great team chemistry and third a little bit of luck. Hopefully those things come together for us and things go our way."

 

With the talent that and experience the Colonels return in Park Hills, is this the year that they return to the state championship? Is the quarterback duo of Wagner and Dressman the best offensive 1-2 combo in Northern Kentucky? Can the Colonels stay healthy enough to make a deep post season run?

 

These are all questions that will begin to be answered on August 30th as the Colonels host Dixie Heights.

 

 

Schedule:

 

Aug 23, 14 Boone County home 1:00 PM

Aug 30, 14 Dixie Heights home 1:00 PM

Sep 5, 14 Archbishop Moeller, OH away 7:30 PM

Sep 13, 14 Henderson County home 1:00 PM

Sep 26, 14 Highlands away 7:00 PM

Oct 4, 14 Beechwood home 1:00 PM

Oct 10, 14 Ryle away 7:30 PM

Oct 18, 14 Harrison County home 1:00 PM

Oct 24, 14 Holmes away 7:00 PM

Oct 31, 14 Conner away 7:00 PM

 

.....

 

I smell another 8-2 regular season. While losses to Moeller and Highlands are nothing to be ashamed of, they sure do get old.

Thanks for the article Walter. Great job. Very excited about this season.

The Pitzer kid at linebacker is definitely a player to watch. He really impressed me last year.

 

Interesting to see the talk about using both Wagner and Dressman at QB and slot. That could be something really unusual to see how it develops.

 

What does the line play look like beyond Murrer? What about defensive line?

Looking forward to the start of the season. Will be fun to see how the new guys step up. Good Luck Colonels.

Great article, Walter! Looking forward to 9/26 as always! Love this rivalry! Good luck this season, Colonels!

I think the Dixie game will be a gone one. Win it and CC is 8-2 with losses to Big Mo and FTH. I'll take Dixie in this one but I expect it to be one of the better games (if not the best) of the NKY season.

The Pitzer kid at linebacker is definitely a player to watch. He really impressed me last year.

 

Interesting to see the talk about using both Wagner and Dressman at QB and slot. That could be something really unusual to see how it develops.

 

What does the line play look like beyond Murrer? What about defensive line?

 

I love the idea of having Wagner, Dressman and Darlington in the backfield at the same time. Could do some really fun things with that combo not to mention incorporating the speedy WR's into the mix. Will be looking forward to watching that develop.

 

Offensive line shaping up to be Sr Murrer at RT, Sr's Hennies, Lafontaine or Shea at RG, Sr. Roth at Center and Probably Jr Baute at LG and Jr Reisiger at LT. Outside of Murrer, not household names but the staff likes them a lot. Probably a little smaller overall than past lines but slightly quicker.

 

D Line will be a big strength IMO. Only one Sr graduated from last years line and he was rotated in for most of the year. Sr's Bailey at NG and Brooks, Holthause and Foertsch at DE, Jr's Steins and Shields at DE and Thoreson at NG. All of these kids started or played significant minutes last year, so this group is deep and experienced.

 

Secondary will be a focus for me. Two of the top defenders on last years team in Zumdick and Alex Wagner are back at their Safety/ Adjuster positions- have some holes to fill at CB. Kids like Sr's DeMarsh, Kathman and Caleb Summe are stepping up to the plate along with Jr's Caldon, Piccarelo(sp) and Wilson. May see a Soph or two step up like Best or Hornsby depending on the situation.

 

Speaking of Hornsby- my guess is that he will take over placekicking duties. Has an accurate leg within the 20-25 yard line. Didn't throw him out there last year as he was playing Frosh ball.

I think the Dixie game will be a gone one. Win it and CC is 8-2 with losses to Big Mo and FTH. I'll take Dixie in this one but I expect it to be one of the better games (if not the best) of the NKY season.

 

The CCH/HHS game and this game will both be fantastic.

I saw a couple of Soph names mentioned. Any of the other talented sophs expecting to see Varsity time? Angel, Shelton, and Ziegelmeyer come to mind as standouts.

The CCH/HHS game and this game will both be fantastic.

 

Agreed

I saw a couple of Soph names mentioned. Any of the other talented sophs expecting to see Varsity time? Angel, Shelton, and Ziegelmeyer come to mind as standouts.

 

Looks like Ziegelmeyer may have an injury keeping him out to begin the season, but I think he was doing very well just prior.

Certainly Shelton will see some time at OLB and may handle long snaps- he has a career in that if he wants to IMO.

Not sure about Angel but he's completely capable. Unfortunately for him but fortunate for the team, WR isn't as big an area of need right now with the 4 speedy Sr's and a couple Jr's sitting there.

I like really Pilger at Center though I don't we will see much of him this year- certainly next.

Another kid with a high motor is Schrand- could play either side of the ball at RB or DB. Probable Special Teams guy.

Same with Mo Thiel- tough defender at Safety and solid Special Teams guy to begin.

^^^^Wirth had a lot of good things to say about Schrand when I asked about him off camera.

I saw a couple of Soph names mentioned. Any of the other talented sophs expecting to see Varsity time? Angel, Shelton, and Ziegelmeyer come to mind as standouts.

 

Anthony Best is a player to watch, currently seeing his reps come at the RB am DB position. Extremely talented kid with a football players mentality. Will be a stud on JV and help some on Varsity. Hearing Zigelmeyer won't be playing for awhile if at all this season. May perhaps have surergy on knee, not exactly what on. ACL?? Unfortunatly for Sophomore Angel, he is stuck behind a very good group of WR's so his playing time IMO is limited to none this year. Brent is a very good player with a bright future just don't think his time is this year. From watching and hearing I believe Soph. Shelton is getting all his reps with the first team at LB. Thinking he will start if not, see the field a whole lot. I'm sure he will also be on Specials too as he was last year as a freshman.

Other guys like Pilger, Mayer(sp?), Hentz, Thiel, and Hornsby are all very good young players that may not see a whole lot of Varsity this year, but will definitely carry the JV team and contribute down the road on Varsity.

 

In a whole, the team has a lot of talent, young and old, and more than a few people are really excited for the season. It's almost here!!! Go Colonels and wishing the best to everyone .

Coach Wirth has done a fine job at CCHS. Nothing but respect to him and their program from all of us at JC. Wishing you all continued success and hopefully an injury free season.