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THE RANKINGS:

 

 

1) 5A Covington Catholic (3-0) – There weren’t many eyebrows raised around Northern Kentucky when Cov Cath beat 6A Cooper (0-3) on Friday. The Colonels came out hard and had a running clock on the Jaguars less than half way through the second quarter, winning 41-0. Quarterback AJ Mayer went 6 for 8 passing, with 160 yards and 3 TDs in the air, despite downpour conditions during the game. Covington Catholic will head north to play OH-DII Kings (1-1) this week in the final week of action for the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.

 

 

2) 6A Simon Kenton (3-0) – Simon Kenton took on the 6A Conner Cougars on Friday and pulled out a 13-6 win, despite trailing 6-0 early in the 2nd quarter. The weather certainly took a toll on the Pioneers, who only had 165 yards total offense. That’s a whopping 359 yards less than their average in the first two games of the season. Simon Kenton will host their first home game of the year this Friday when they welcome the 5A Dixie Colonels (0-3) to Independence.

 

 

3) 6A Ryle (2-1) – There have been some questions asked about Ryle early this season, but it looks like the Raiders are starting to get the kinks ironed out as they claimed their second victory of the year in their home opener against 6A Boone County (0-2). Ryle started a running clock in the game just under 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter. RB Jake Chisholm posted 202 yards and 4 TDs rushing, and had one reception for 27 yards. On the defensive side, DB Justin Selby had 14 tackles in the game. The Raiders are on the road this week when they play 5A Highlands (2-1).

 

 

4) 1A Beechwood (2-0) – The game was sloppy and a little ugly on Friday for the Tigers, but so were a lot of games around the state. There weren’t many teams whose offensive play didn’t suffer because of the weather, and Beechwood was no different, only managing 178 yards of total offense. Scoreless at the half, the lone touchdown in their game against 2A Somerset (1-2) came in the 4th quarter Friday, on a Logan Caslteman run. Beechwood won 7-0, and will look to improve upon their record when they host 3A Corbin (3-0) in the Crosstown Showdown.

 

 

5) 5A Highlands (2-1) – It was tough sledding for a most everyone last week, but it was particularly tough for Highlands, who headed to Georgetown on Thursday night to take on 6A Scott County (3-0). The red birds walloped the Bluebirds 71-20, giving Highlands one of the most lopsided losses in program history. Despite the loss, QB Carl Schoellman was 16/26 passing, with 244 yards and 2TDs in the air. Wideout Nick Veneman caught for 105 yards and 1 TD. The Birds will be back in Ft. Thomas this week when they host the 6A Ryle Raiders (2-1).

 

 

6) 6A Campbell County (2-1) – All told, Campbell County was one of the few teams around the state whose overall performance wasn’t that impacted by the weather last week. Although their passing game was slightly off pace, there wasn’t much else different about their game in the 35-7 win over 2A Newport Central Catholic. RB Alex Dowds once again carried the offense, rushing for 207 of the Camels’ 350 yards total offense. Campbell County will head to Union to play 6A Cooper (0-3) this week.

 

 

7) 6A Conner (1-1) – The Cougars fought hard on Friday night, and raised a lot of eyebrows when they lead early in their game against 6A Simon Kenton (3-0). Despite the lead, and the tied score at the end of the first half, Conner couldn’t hang on for the win, and lost 13-6. Junior defensive me Tate Neiderman and Andrew Davis each racked up 10 tackles in this defensive grinder of a game, while the offense struggled to get much going, posting a mere 159 total yards for the night. Conner heads to 4A Scott (2-1) on Friday.

 

 

8) Newport Central Catholic (2-1) – New Cath took their first mark in the ‘loss’ column on Friday, losing 35-7 to the 6A Campbell County Camels. The Breds just never were able to get things rolling offensively, with a lackluster 171 total yards in the rain. Brady Hicks led the defense with an imposing 15 tackles, and Hunter Cain tacked on another 9 tackles in the game. NCC will play host to the 4-time defending 3A champion Belfry Pirates (1-1) on Friday in Newport.

 

 

9) 4A Scott (2-1) – Scott was one of few teams around NKY who avoided most of the weather last week, playing 2A Covington Holy Cross (0-3) at Thomas More College on Saturday. The Eagles headed back to Taylor Mill on the top side of a 62-13 trouncing of the Indians. Brothers Nelson and Quincy Perrin carried for 134 and 135 yards, respectively, and combined for 4 TDs, including 1 TD on a 26 yard pass reception by Quincy. The Eagles’ offense had ten different players cart the pigskin, and they put up a commanding 527 total yards of offense, with 475 of those via the run. Scott takes on 6A Conner (1-1) this week in Hebron.

 

10) 2A Walton-Verona (2-1) – It’s the Bearcats’ first appearance of the year in the NKY Power Rankings. After a 1-point loss last week to 1A Kentucky Country Day (3-0), Walton-Verona came back with a vengeance, and routed the 4A Holmes Bulldogs (0-3) in a 41-0 shutout win. The offense had a total 301 yards in the win, with an unheard-of FOURTEEN players carrying the ball, combining for 294 of those yards on the ground. Walton-Verona will be playing host to 2A Covington Holy Cross (0-3) on Friday this week.

 

 

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: WEEK 4

 

 

1A Beechwood vs. 3A Corbin

 

 

Despite their 2-0 record, we’ve yet to really see Beechwood “open it up” on a team in their first two games. It’s not too likely that we’ll see that this week either when the 3A Corbin Redhounds roll into Fort Mitchell. The Redhounds are 3-0 this season, and undoubtedly still looking to improve on their 2016 season that ended a week short of the 3A Championship at the hands of the eventual state champion Belfry Pirates. It’s going to be a slugfest this Friday at Beechwood!

 

 

 

TRENDING UP:

 

1A Bellevue (2-1) – The Tigers added another win to their record by beating 1A Bishop Brossart (2-1) on Friday at Gilligan Stadium.

 

6A Campbell County (2-1) – Campbell County came back from a 1-point loss to 5A Highlands (2-1) with a solid 35-7 win over 2A Newport Central Catholic (2-1).

 

 

2A Walton-Verona (2-1) – The Bearcats gave 4A Holmes (0-3) a serious 41-0 pounding this past week. They are likely to improve to 3-1 with a game against 2A Covington Holy Cross (0-3) on Friday

 

 

 

TRENDING DOWN:

 

6A Cooper (0-3) – Friday night was not pretty for the Jags, who had a running clock hung on them less than half way through the 2nd quarter on Friday in their 41-0 shutout loss to 5A Covington Catholic (3-0). Cooper hosts 6A Campbell County (2-1) this Friday.

 

 

5A Dixie Heights (0-3) – Dixie is still looking for their first win of the season, and is regrouping this week and preparing to take on 6A Simon Kenton (3-0) after a 49-0 shutout loss to OH-DI Milford (2-0) this past Saturday.

 

 

5A Highlands (2-1) – We know the Birds are still working to get back to previous form, but a 71-20 loss to 6A Scott County (3-0) has to make you wonder how far out they still are. Highlands hosts 6A Ryle (2-1) this week.

 

 

 

 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

 

AJ Mayer (Covington Catholic) – Quarterback managed 160 yards passing and 3 TDs on six completions against 6A Cooper.

 

 

Alex Dowds (Campbell County) – Running back rushed for 207 yards and 2 TDs against 2A Newport Central Catholic. Dowds is averaging 195 yards rushing per game.

 

 

Brady Hicks (Newport Central Catholic) – Linebacker had 15 tackles (12 solo/3 assisted) against 6A Campell County.

 

 

Colston Charles (Newport) – Linebacker had 24 tackles (7 solo/17 assisted) against 2A Owen County.

 

 

Erik Atkins (Bellevue) – Quarterback threw for 240 yards and 3 TD’s, and rushed for another 33 yards against 1A Bishop Brossart.

 

 

Jahmaree Cosby (Newport) – Linebacker had 14 tackles (3 solo/11 assisted) against 2A Owen County.

 

 

Jake Chisholm (Ryle) – Running back rushed for 202 yards and 4 TDs against 6A Boone County. Chisholm is averaging 180 yards rushing and 3 TDs per game.

 

Justin Selby (Ryle) – Defensive back had 14 total tackles (10 solo/4 assisted) against 6A Boone County.

 

 

Mason Dennis (Bishop Brossart) – Linebacker had 15 total tackles (9 solo/6 assisted) against 1A Bellevue.

 

 

Nathan Bezold (Bishop Brossart) – Linebacker had 17 total tackles (10 solo/7 assisted) against 1A Bellevue.

So @Call It Like It Is, I got a notification that you disliked the post. Is there anything in particular that you disagree with? ...I'm always interested to hear different takes on things.

@Colonels_Wear_Blue You do a great job on these weekly! Everything is spot on!

So @Call It Like It Is, I got a notification that you disliked the post. Is there anything in particular that you disagree with? ...I'm always interested to hear different takes on things.

 

Accident. Didn't mean to.

Accident. Didn't mean to.

 

Ahh, okay. Like I said...just thought I'd see what your take on things was.

This week's games are going to have a big impact on the power rankings in Northern Kentucky.

Great job CWB!!! I really enjoy reading your write ups.

This week's games are going to have a big impact on the power rankings in Northern Kentucky.

 

Definitely agree with you there, VoR...it seems like each year there's one or two weeks in the schedule where there are suddenly like 4 or 5 games that make a lot of the other puzzle pieces fit together.

@Colonels_Wear_Blue You do a great job on these weekly! Everything is spot on!

 

Great job CWB!!! I really enjoy reading your write ups.

 

Thanks folks. I enjoy putting these together :thumb:

You really hit the nail on the head. This week has local games to shake a lot of things out for NKY. But I honestly think your rankings are spot on and there will be no upsets.

#2 SK v. Dixie

#3 Ryle v. #5 Highlands

#6 Campbell Co. v. Cooper

#7 Conner v. #9 Scott

#10 WV v. (Cov.) Holy Cross

Bishop Brossart v. Newport