article NKY Power Rankings 9-20-17 - Sponsored by NKY Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

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Thanks to Northern Kentucky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry -"Making Northern Kentucky Smile" for sponsoring our 2017 Northern Kentucky Power Rankings! We encourage everyone to patronize all of our sponsors, and you can visit Northern Kentucky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 2047 Centennial Boulevard in Independence, KY.

 

 

THE RANKINGS:

 

1) 5A Covington Catholic (5-0) – Covington Catholic had their annual rivalry match against 1A Beechwood (3-1) and showed evidence that their size is finally starting to allow them to pull away in this almost 40 year old non-district rivalry. The Colonels won 45-9, with AJ Mayer connecting with 8 receivers to pass for 227yds and 3 TDs. Casey McGinness had 138yds and 2 TDs running the ball, and the defense held the Tigers to less than 200 total yards in the game. This week Cov Cath hosts Columbus, OH-DII power St. Francis DeSales (3-1).

 

2) 6A Simon Kenton (5-0) – Simon Kenton had a running clock in the 1st quarter on their challengers this week, eventually beating the 6A Cooper Jaguars 65-7 in Independence on Saturday. The Pioneers had the gas pedal floored from the get-go, with Matt Shearer passing for 291yds and 5 TDs. Wideout Fisher Hayden had 135yds and 2 TDs receiving, and the defense added 6 points of their own on a Brayden Trattles pick-6. Simon Kenton hosts the 5A Highlands Bluebirds (2-3) this Friday.

 

3) 6A Ryle (4-1) – The Raiders chalked up their fourth win of the season on Friday, winning 28-21 over the 6A Campbell County Camels (3-2). The Camels managed to keep it close but Ryle’s running game, powered largely by RB Jake Chisolm, managed to get the win for the Raiders. Chisholm had 159yds and 1 TD in the victory, while QB Easton Pilyer passed for just over 100yds and 1 TD. Justin Selby and Jackson Saladin led the D with 9 tackles a piece. Ryle has the week off to prepare for the second half of the regular season.

 

4) 1A Beechwood (3-1) – There was a lot of talk about how the Tigers would perform against 5A Covington Catholic (5-0) on Friday, with both teams going into the game undefeated. Beechwood has one of their most athletic teams in memory, but it just wasn’t enough against Cov Cath, with the Tigers losing 45-9 to the Colonels. QB Brayden Burch passed for 123 of the teams total 203 yards of offense, but the Tigers’ offensive attack struggled to get past the Colonels. Beechwood has 2A Covington Holy Cross (0-5) this Friday at home.

 

5) 6A Campbell County (3-2) – The Camels had one of their toughest matchups thus far in the season in 6A Ryle (4-1). And despite scoring first and keeping it close throughout the game, they were unable to come away with the victory, losing 28-21 to the Raiders. The Camels run game was stopped almost completely, but QB Austin Hoeh had his biggest passing game of the season, putting together 226yds and 1 TD in the air. No action for the Camels this week as they recollect themselves during bye week.

 

6) 5A Highlands (2-3) – Highlands had their third straight loss of the season on Friday after welcoming 3A Lexington Catholic (3-2) to Ft. Thomas. Despite another big passing game for QB Carl Schoellman and the Birds – 284yds and 1 TD – it was the Knights who left the field with the win, beating Highlands 21-18. Friday was the 3rd game this season with less than 100yds rushing for the Highlands. The Bluebirds head to Independence this week to take on 6A Simon Kenton (5-0).

 

7) 2A Newport Central Catholic (3-2) – It was an upset that many of us didn’t see coming on Friday as the Breds snapped an 18-game win streak held by the defending 2A champs, Christian Academy Louisville (4-1). The game was a defensive slugfest, New Cath with 206yds total offense, and CAL with 170yds total offense. QB Milton Wright accounted for most of the Breds’ offensive yards in the 20-15 victory, with 53yds and 1 TD passing, and 105yds and 1 TD rushing. The Thoroughbreds have 6A Conner (2-2) this week.

 

8) 6A Conner (2-2) – It’s tough to get a good bead on the Cougars this season. They struggled in the pre-season, didn’t look great in Week 1, then stayed within a touchdown of 6A Simon Kenton (5-0), looked good against 4A Scott (2-2), but then on Friday they had a surprise upset by losing 28-21 to 5A Dixie Heights (4-1). QB Cooper Gullion had 270yds and 3 TDs in the air, but the run game just wasn’t there for the Cougars. On the flip side, the defense gave up 257yds and 3 TDs rushing, plus 1 more TD to the struggling Dixie running attack. Andrew Davis and Jared Hicks led the Conner defense with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively. Conner hosts 2A Newport Central Catholic (3-2) on Friday.

 

9) 4A Scott (2-2) – No action for the Eagles last week. They will take on 4A Mason County (3-1) this Friday at Mason County.

 

10) 2A Walton-Verona (3-2) – After enjoying two straight weeks of shutout wins, the Bearcats returned from Lexington licking their wounds after ending up on the short side of a 48-13 victory for the 2A Lexington Christian Academy Eagles (5-0). Walton-Verona struggled to accomplish much on offense, with the O’s only points coming late in the game against LCA’s backups. The defense scored early in the game on a Brent Perry pick-6. The Bearcats will host 2A Walton-Verona (3-1) this week.

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: WEEK 5

 

4A Scott vs. 4A Mason County

 

Scott has had its ups and downs already this season, with their record floating at an even 2-2. They had a solid win over 5A Dixie Heights (4-1) and another over 2A Covington Holy Cross, who is struggling badly with a 0-5 record. Their losses came at the hands of 2A Newport Central Catholic (3-2) and 6A Conner (2-2).

 

4A Mason County has shown their ability to put a lot of points on the board, with a total 200 points scored in their first four games this season. Their only loss was a 18-14 defeat at the hands of 3A Fleming County (3-1). It will be interesting to see how these two teams match up on Friday at Mason County.

 

 

TRENDING UP:

 

1A Ludlow (4-0) – The Panthers have to be feeling really good with their first 4-0 start since 2004. They had a 61-30 win over 2A Newport (1-3) on Friday. This week Ludlow takes on 1A Williamsburg (3-2). Big test for the Panthers.

 

2A Lloyd Memorial (3-1) – The Juggernauts are quietly compiling wins in Erlanger, this time beating the 4A Holmes Bulldogs (0-4) 36-6. Lloyd hosts the 0-5 Grant County Braves this week.

 

6A Ryle (4-1) – A 4th straight win this week, this time against 6A Campbell County (3-2). Ryle is currently in their bye week.

 

 

TRENDING DOWN:

 

1A Beechwood (3-1) – Not exactly “trending down”, but the Tigers are definitely reviewing shortcomings after a 45-9 loss to 5A Covington Catholic (5-0) and will be looking for a BIG win over 2A Covington Holy Cross (0-5) this week.

 

2A Bellevue (3-2) – After putting together three straight wins, the Tigers were defeated on Friday by 2A Gallatin County (3-2). Bellevue is currently in their bye week.

 

6A Conner (2-2) – The Cougars are struggling to find their stride thus far this season, and Friday’s 28-21 loss to 5A Dixie Heights (4-1) didn’t help their cause. Conner has 2A Newport Central Catholic (3-2) this week.

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NORTHERN KENTUCKY MIDTERM REPORT

 

1A

4-0 Ludlow Panthers

4-1 Beechwood Tigers

4-1 Bracken County Polar Bears

3-1 Bishop Brossart Mustangs

3-2 Bellevue Tigers

1-3 Dayton Green Devils

 

2A

3-1 Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts

3-1 Owen County Rebels

3-2 Gallatin County Wildcats

3-2 Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds

3-2 Walton-Verona Bearcats

1-3 Carroll County Panthers

1-3 Newport Wildcats

1-3 Trimble County Raiders

0-5 Covington Holy Cross Indians

 

3A

3-1 Pendleton County Wildcats

 

4A

2-2 Scott Eagles

0-4 Holmes Bulldogs

0-5 Harrison County Thorobreds

 

5A

5-0 Covington Catholic Colonels

2-3 Highlands Bluebirds

1-4 Dixie Heights Colonels

 

6A

5-0 Simon Kenton Pioneers

4-1 Ryle Raiders

3-2 Campbell County Camels

2-2 Conner Cougars

1-3 Boone County Rebels

0-5 Cooper Jaguars