By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team faced two big challenges on Friday.

They were the pouring rain and an improved and determined host Newport Wildcat squad. While the Thoroughbreds did not finish their in-town rivals the way they wanted, they came through with a 22-17 District 6-2A victory. NewCath (2-4) moved to 2-0 in district play and Newport (3-4) fell to 1-1.

NewCath has not lost a district contest since 2006, which marked the last year of four classes in Kentucky. The Thoroughbreds moved to 26-0 in district contests since 2007 when Kentucky expanded to six classes. NewCath also moved to 459-343-10 all-time including 300-173-4 against Northern Kentucky teams.

The Thoroughbreds put themselves in great position to win their 10th straight district championship with the win now that every other district opponent has at least one loss. NewCath’s lone remaining district contests are against Bishop Brossart (1-4 overall, 0-2 district) and Covington Holy Cross (1-6, 1-1).

Newport outgained NewCath, 303-268 in total offense. But the Thoroughbred defense held up on fourth down a couple times including the last drive. The Thoroughbreds forced Newport quarterback Paul Price out of bounds short of a first down with 23.6 seconds left in the game before running out the clock.

“Give Newport credit,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “They have a nice football team. Stats don’t really matter. The only thing that matters is (the) 22-17 (score). I thought the offensive line early in the game and at the end got after it well.”

Penalties also made a huge difference. Newport had 14 for 90 yards and NewCath recorded eight for 74. There was jawing going on in the game, but Wagner said the staff will do what it takes to correct that after the play finishes.

“We’re putting that on our seniors and they’re supposed to be leaders,” Wagner said. “Our seniors should not even begin to jaw. They should take care of each other and pull people away. Sometimes, we didn’t do that (Friday). I was a little disappointed in that. Number one, there are obviously penalties. Number two, you’re not thinking about what you’re doing the next play because you’re worried about what the guy over there is doing. You can’t control the other guy. We’ll keep harping more.”

Turnovers also made a difference in the rain. Newport lost two fumbles and threw an interception while NewCath lost one fumble. The one Newport fumble did not count as a turnover because it happened on a two-point conversion run.

Seniors Colin Hoover and Brent Moore had fumble recoveries for the Thoroughbreds and junior defensive back Erik Anderson recorded his team-high third interception for NewCath.

“I made this comment to them before the game,” said Dave Schneider, NewCath Offensive Coordinator. “We want to be cautious and protect the football, but we don’t want to play scared. We did a pretty good job with the football.”

Both teams struck to the ground game in the rain. NewCath outrushed Newport, 204-187 rushing the ball. Junior Jacob Smith had 26 carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns, but John Harris added 13 rushes for 34 yards and a touchdown often picking up crucial short-yardage first downs.

“It always starts with the big fellows up front,” Harris said. “The way they block really opens up the holes for us and makes our job easy. It feels great running behind them. Then we always fight for yardage.”

The Thoroughbreds knew they had to contain Newport’s tandem of Price and running back Dominic Joseph. Price finished with 100 yards rushing on 19 carries and completed 10-of-19 passes for 116 yards. Joseph finished with 58 yards rushing on 18 carries.

Price’s leading target was junior Ryan Ochoa. He had four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown.

“(Price and Joseh) are big guys and quick,” Moore said. “They know to run the ball and pound. You have to hit them well and try to hold on.”

NewCath quarterback Patrick Henschen only threw the ball nine times completing it six times for 64 yards. Nate Enslen led the Thoroughbred wide receivers with two catches for 21 yards and Harris had a crucial catch for 16 yards on a scoring drive.

Both teams scored on their opening drives. Smith took a handoff up the middle and bounced to the right for a 36-yard touchdown just 1:38 into the game. Ryan Hans made the extra-point try to give NewCath a 7-0 advantage.

But Newport responded with its own drive. With 6:13 left in the first quarter, Tyree Bolden scored and Price ran in the two-point conversion to put the Wildcats up 8-7.

The Thoroughbreds did not take the lead for good until 10:42 remained in the first half. Smith bounced right and cut back to the middle for a 12-yard touchdown and Henschen completed the two-point conversion pass to Brandon Gray to give NewCath a 15-8 advantage. Smith had a 17-yard screen pass on the drive.

The Wildcats trimmed the margin to 15-11 at halftime. They hit a 28-yard field goal with .8 seconds left.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. But Harris had a 1-yard run with 10:13 left in the game to put the Thoroughbreds up 22-11. Smith had 16 and 38-yard runs on the drive.

NewCath tried to run out the clock after receiving the ball back. But Josh Mullins recovered a Thoroughbred fumble on the NewCath 45 with 4:55 left in the game.

The Wildcats cashed in on the turnover. Price completed a 24-yard pass to Ochoa with 3:56 left to cut the margin to 22-17.

NewCath had to punt the ball back to Newport with 2:21 remaining. The Wildcats started the drive from their 11.

NewCath has won the Fireman’s Bell 15 straight years dating back to 1999. The Thoroughbreds lead the all-time series, 42-18-1.

NewCath takes on Bishop Brossart on Thursday. Game time is 7 p.m. at Newport Stadium.

 

FORT THOMAS MATTERS: How did the Fireman's Bell Turn out last night?

Didn't the smith kid transfer from Newport during his eighth grade year?

Smith went to Newport up to the 7th grade. He went to Holy Trinity his 8th grade year.

I think some of the personal fouls were in the red zone, so they were only worth half the distance to the goal.

I think some of the personal fouls were in the red zone, so they were only worth half the distance to the goal.

 

Now that you mention it, you're absolutely correct.

Great effort by both teams. Tough playing conditions for both. Amazing listening to NCC players after the game talk about some of the shenanigans that went on during the game. Completely uncalled for and I'm sure the referees will be watching for it the rest of the year. All i heard walking out of the stadium was the referees this and the referrees that-SERIOUSLY!!!!! Proud of the Breds for keeping their composure and getting the job done. They are getting some great play from their underclassmen and its fun to see.

Come on now they did play against the Referees and NCC Boys were talking plenty of crap just as well as Newport so don't act like You all are Perfect

Lol. Whats wrong it was just my opinion Newcath was in the red zone 3 times tonight and didnt convert they miss 2 field goals also. The score could of been worst. No need to be upset Newport has a good team I was just stated my opinion but Newcath is better by 2 or more Tds.

Newport is a better Team

Would love to see this matchup in the playoffs.

You Will

Would love to see this matchup in the playoffs.

 

You Will

 

If the Wildcats play that undisciplined again, the same result will occur with much wider margin. Don't get me wrong, Newport has one of it's better teams in years, but the coaches need to get better control of the players on the field and sidelines.

You Will

 

NCC was clearly the better team last night.

How did Breandon Johnson Do?

Newport is a better Team

Clearly they're not!!!

Come on now they did play against the Referees and NCC Boys were talking plenty of crap just as well as Newport so don't act like You all are Perfect

 

REALLY??? You gonna tell me that Newport didn't deserve every penalty they got???? They actually deserved much more than they got called for. Everyone was playing with emotions, but it appears NEWCATH was way more disciplined. Nobody said Newcath was perfect, clearly they're not, however the refs didn't cost Newport that game last night. Man up and take responsibility for your mistakes. I overheard so many Newport fans whining after the game last night about the referees. That's Newport's problem everyone wants to blame others for their behavior and short comings, instead of excepting responsibility for their actions.

 

Oh, and be careful what you ask for. If these 2 teams meet again during the playoffs, the score will be much worse, however the result will be the same. Newport will continue to lose to Newcath.

I'm sure both teams were mouthing on the field, there's a difference though, between mouthing on the field and the physical activity shown by the personal fouls. Another difference is that the Newcath coaches will address those Newcath players that were being verbal on the field, but will Newport coaches address those physical attacks resulting in personal fouls? NO, so like I said man up and take responsibility for your actions, learn from it and move on!!!

REALLY??? You gonna tell me that Newport didn't deserve every penalty they got???? They actually deserved much more than they got called for. Everyone was playing with emotions, but it appears NEWCATH was way more disciplined. Nobody said Newcath was perfect, clearly they're not, however the refs didn't cost Newport that game last night. Man up and take responsibility for your mistakes. I overheard so many Newport fans whining after the game last night about the referees. That's Newport's problem everyone wants to blame others for their behavior and short comings, instead of excepting responsibility for their actions.

 

Oh, and be careful what you ask for. If these 2 teams meet again during the playoffs, the score will be much worse, however the result will be the same. Newport will continue to lose to Newcath.

I can't wait to see the Match up