Hand-Cov'ed: CovCath proves too tall a task again for Central

 

Zack Klemme / The Independent

PAINTSVILLE With its upcoming talent and the path KHSAA realignment will clear for Johnson Central, the consensus is that the Golden Eagles’ best days are ahead of them.

 

Johnson Central very nearly accelerated that process by sticking within striking distance of Covington Catholic almost all the way Friday night.

 

But the Golden Eagles couldn’t squeeze out enough offense and were on the wrong side of a consequential early special teams play, and lost, 19-7, to the Colonels in the Class 4A region semifinals.

 

The teams have met seven times in the last nine years in the playoffs. CovCath won four of them, including the last three.

 

Johnson Central (11-1) saw its undefeated season end at the hands of the Colonels (8-4) once again.

 

“The kids played their hearts out,” Golden Eagles coach Jim Matney said. “We certainly had our chances, and the big plays went to (CovCath) tonight instead of us. A lot of times the big plays go to us, and they didn’t.”

 

Junior Connor Ratliff led the Johnson Central offense with 91 rushing yards on 13 carries. Scatback junior Bryce Skaggs added 55 yards, and sophomore fullback Gunner Slone chipped in 48 yards and a touchdown.

 

Johnson Central broke on top with a clinical seven-play, 66-yard drive to open the game. Slone punched in a 1-yard TD and Tyler Pack booted the point-after.

 

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Joshua Ball / For The Independent

Johnson Central coach Jim Matney talks to quarterback Bryce Workman on the sideline on Friday night.

 

 

Joshua Ball / For The Independent

Johnson Central's Bryce Skaggs is swarmed by Covington Catholic tacklers on Friday.