Ummm I very easily can speak on it. Newport got crushed by Scott whom got crushed by Cooper so they wouldn't have beaten Cooper. SK is undefeated and has destroyed everyone in their path with the exception of Ryle. Newport would not have beaten CC not Dixie.

Newport should have Beet Scott

Newport should have Beet Scott

Beat

Newport should have Beet Scott

 

However, they didn't. Newport has speed on the outside and that concerns me as does Johnson at DT. I blitz the QB right in his face and keep contain to his backside bc if you lose your rush lanes on him...lights out. He can move. If NewCath gets up by 2 TD'S early this could be a blowout. I don't think that Newport has the passing game to come back. They pass well enough in balanced situations, but not when teams know what is coming.

I think Johnson will be a big threat up front.

I think everyone in here should head over to Channel 5 news and vote for this game as the Meijer Wildcard Game of the Week. This game is currently in 2nd to Ludlow/Dayton.

I think everyone in here should head over to Channel 5 news and vote for this game as the Meijer Wildcard Game of the Week. This game is currently in 2nd to Ludlow/Dayton.

 

I agree! This game should be the featured game!

I would agree, but the question is, "will they be able to fire them"? :idunno: I also agree with Equal Gravy, on Newport's inability to throw the ball effectively.

 

I think Price is a capable passer. His receivers will have to make plays though.

 

The biggest question is can Newport stop Newcath's offense? I could see Jake Smith having a big game both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield in space.

As a couple of others have mentioned, I think the key to the game will be the Newport passing game. If Newport can have some success throwing the ball, that will open things up a bit for Joseph and Price running the ball. I am seeing something similar to the Lloyd game with NCC winning by 3 TD's, or more.

This game will be close the first half, it always is. NCC secondary has to do a good job of controlling Newport outside. Henchen keeps improving, so I think he has a big game passing. Oline has seen some "retooling" so I think the run game will improve. Overall, I don't think Newport can stop NCC's passing game. That will be the difference in the game. NCC 35-20.

This game is now in the lead for the Wildcard Game of the week at 55%.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

A year ago, no one guessed the annual city championship would also decide the District 6-2A championship.

But the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds handled the challenge doubling up the Newport Wildcats, 42-21 on their way to their ninth straight district crown. That could again be the case this year as the two squads lock horns Friday in the annual Fireman’s Bell contest at 7 p.m. at Newport Stadium. NewCath has won 14 in a row in the series dating back to 1999 and leads the all-time series, 41-18-1.

“They are doing what their talent is allowing them to do,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “He’s doing a really good job down there. They’re well-coached. We have our work cut out.”

The Thoroughbreds (1-4) hope to stay unbeaten in district play with a perfect 25-0 record in such contests since 2006 while the Wildcats (3-3) hope to take a huge step in the building process. Both teams enter the game 1-0 in district play. NewCath shut out Lloyd Memorial, 28-0 two weeks ago and Newport took care of Bishop Brossart, 55-0 a week ago.

“You get banged up so our bangs are pretty much taken care of (during the bye week),” Wagner said. “You watch film. We’ve been working on things we can control. That bell means a lot. Our kids don’t want to give it up and they want it. It should be a good atmosphere.”

This marks the second Matthew Schmitz as Newport Head Coach. The Thoroughbreds finished 10-5 last year falling to Louisville DeSales in the 2A title game while the Wildcats finished 5-6 last year losing 29-21 to Carroll County in the first round of the 2A playoffs.

The Wildcats have won two straight entering the contest. They pummelled Pendleton County, 62-13 after losing just 31-22 to defending Class 1A runner-up Williamsburg. Newport gave undefeated Mason County a scare on Aug. 23 losing just 32-28 before handing Walton-Verona its lone loss of the season, 36-26 on Aug. 29.

“I like the progress,” Schmitz said. “I think there is no doubt we are a better football team than at this point last year. But the goals stayed the same – keep getting better every week. We want to be playing our best football come November.”

The Wildcats received some major help in the offseason when senior offensive and defensive lineman Breandon Johnson transferred across the Licking River from Covington Holmes. He’s given headaches to opponents with 22 tackles.

“(Johnson) is a man up there,” said Dave Schneider, NewCath Offensive Coordinator. “He’s our biggest concern. It’s tough to get him blocked.”

Teams have rushed for 872 yards and passed for 612 against the 3-4 and 4-4 Newport defenses. The Wildcats could try to take away the Thoroughbred running game and make sophomore quarterback Patrick Henschen beat them.

Henschen has completed 43-of-72 passes for 438 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the spread offense. Senior Brandon Gray remains his top target with 23 catches for 208 yards and Nate Enslen has nine for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Defenses have constantly put pressure on Henschen blitzing at many different angles. The Thoroughbreds have rushed for 225 yards and passed for 653. Junior Jacob Smith has 77 carries for 273 yards and four touchdowns.

“You have to be diverse offensively,” Schneider said. “You have to be able to use all the quadrants of the field. You can’t just sit there and plunge it up the middle all night.”

Senior linebacker Gage Jones leads Newport with 47 tackles and junior defensive back Ryan Ochoa follows with 43. The Wildcats have eight players with at least 20 tackles. Senior defensive back Brian Burton has three interceptions.

The Thoroughbreds hope to continue to play well defensively in the 4-4 defense. Junior defensive back Erik Anderson had two interceptions in the win over Lloyd Memorial.

A number of different players have emerged for NewCath defensively. Junior linebackers Kobe Tallon and Peyton Davis lead the Thoroughbreds with 49 and 42 tackles respectively. Teams have rushed for 898 yards and passed for 653 yards against the Thoroughbred defense.

NewCath will face a shotgun spread Newport offense that has put up 1,387 yards rushing and 615 passing. Quarterback Paul Price and running back Dominic Joseph have rushed for 464 and 416 yards respectively with five touchdowns each. They run the read option in many different directions.

“We just have to stay disciplined and make sure they don’t get on the outside (lanes),” said Ben Barbara, NewCath senior defensive back. “If we stop them outside, the inside (defenes) should take care of itself. We need to stay home and not follow the ball.”

But junior Tyree Bolden and senior David Lynam have helped out the Newport attack rushing for 249 and 191 yards respectively. Price’s top passing targets have been Brian Burton with 20 catches for 294 yards and six touchdowns along with Ochoa with 14 catches for 197 yards.

“Two main things that good defenses must be are disciplined and aggressive, and that’s exactly what Coach Wagner’s defenses are,” Schmitz said. “We know we are going to have to earn everything we get against their defense. We hope we get our guys in space where they can make some things happen.”

The two teams will be in the same district next year along with Covington Holy Cross and Lloyd Memorial. Bishop Brossart drops to 1A next year.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: Why might NewCath's game with the in-town rival be closer this year?

If Newport QB is healthy the young man can run!! NewCath loads up the box to stop him. His ball looks nice and has a good throwing motion but not accurate at all. NewCath pass D hasn't been to solid past few years but should be able to control the Cats passing game. I might make it down to this one.

ttt

The Wildcats are drawing some votes; looking forward to seeing the game tonight.

I think I will be reading the updates on here from my recliner. Im not going out tonight in this rain