1) 5A Covington Catholic (8-0) – The Colonels accomplished quite a few tasks on Friday with their 27-7 victory over OH-DII LaSalle (6-1). First, they managed to maintain a now 28-game regular season win streak by beating a team ranked nationally in the top 100 teams by most national polls. Second, they ticked off their 4th ever win against a GCL South team in one of their most marquee regular season wins in program history. And third, they successfully completed a third-straight regular season of being undefeated at home. QB Caleb Jacob was 12-24 passing for 199yds in the game against a LaSalle defense, stacked with D1 college talent. TE Michael Mayer led the receiving corps with 6 receptions for 97yds, and RB Daniel Felix led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 80yds and 2 TDs. The remaining offensive TD was on a 2yd punch-in by Caleb Jacob. Mayer also led the defense from his position at linebacker, with 12 tackles including 2 for losses, a forced fumble, and a 45yd pick-6. The Colonels will take on their biggest rival, 5A Highlands (5-3) in their third district contest tonight in Ft. Thomas.

 

2) Conner (7-1) – The Cougars continued an undefeated streak in district competition on Friday with a 35-29 win over 5A Cooper (4-4). Conner eclipsed the Jags in offensive yards 424 to 244 despite the 6pt win margin. QB Jared Hicks was stellar, going 14-24 passing for 303yds and 2 TDs, and rushing 13 times for 52yds and 2 more TDs. RB Douglas Abdon didn’t have any TDs in the game, but led the offense in rushing with 62yds on 13 carries. WR Justin Daniels led the receiving corps with 145yds on 6 receptions, WR Colton Roy had 3 catches for 92yds and 1 TD, and WR Caleb Ervin had 4 receptions for 60yds and 1 TD. The remaining TD was scored defensively by Cody Crawford who scooped up a fumble for an 18yd TD. DL Matthew Kerr led the defense with an incredible 24 tackles, and LB Parker Hitzfield had 13 tackles in the game. The Cougars have this week off before returning to action on October 25th against 5A Covington Catholic (8-0).

 

3) 5A Highlands (5-3) – For a second time this season, the Birds rebounded from a frustrating loss by taking out those frustrations on the next week’s team. Highlands hung a 49-0 shutout loss on district competitor 5A Boone County (2-6). QB Collin Hollingsworth was 7-10 passing for 103yds and 3 TDs, and rushed for another 8yds. WR Adam Weyer led the receivers with 47yds on 2 receptions, WRs Hunter Ahlfeld, Jacob Brass, and Brycen Huddleston all hauled in TD receptions. And yes, you heard that right, Brycen Huddleston was on offense – and he scored. RB Sawyer Depp had 6 carries in the game for 136yds and 2 TDs, RB Griffin Richter had 14 carries for 103yds and 1 TD, and QB Jake Falhbusch had 3 rushes for 14yds and 1 TD. LB Brennan Haigis, DB Max Guetle, and DL Zach Lewin each had 4 tackles a piece to lead the team’s defensive front. The Birds will host their big regular season rivalry game tonight against 5A Covington Catholic (8-0).

 

4) 6A Simon Kenton (4-3) –The Pioneers continue to win every-other game, and finished their first district battle on Friday with a 43-27 win over 6A Dixie Heights (2-5). QB Chase Crone was 19-33 passing in the game for 241yds, 3 TDs and 1 INT. WR Erik Brown led in receiving with 8 receptions for 105yds, Caleb Livers had 4 receptions for 46yds and 1 TD, Trey Little had 2 receptions for 20yds and 1 TD, and RB Austin Hammack had 1 catch for a 34yd TD. Hammack also led the team in rushing with 15 carries fir 90yds and 1 TD. QB Crone rushed 13 times for 88yds and a TD, and RB Quincy North had 11 carries for 59yds and 1 TD. DB Zack Koenes led the defense with 9 tackles, while DL Vuk Sajlovic and LB Aric Hoffman each had 7 tackles. DB Isaac Bleier ha 2 interceptions in the game in addition to his 4 tackles. Simon Kenton hosts their second district match-up against 6A Campbell County (0-7) tonight in Independence.

 

5) 6A Ryle (4-4) – The Raiders are back at the .500 mark after a 41-0 win over 6A Campbell County (0-7). Senior Keegan Stanken spent most of the game at QB, going 9-17 for 103yds and 1 TD. WR Lee Conner was the top receiver in yardage with 4 receptions for 37yds, and Will Watkins was 1yd behind him with 36yds on 2 receptions, good for 1 TD. RB Kyle England was a scoring machine, with 18 carries for 110yds and 4 TDs. The defense was able to capitalize on 4 fumbles, including 1 that was picked up by DB Max Hungler and returned 32yds for a Ryle TD. DB Luke Bradshaw led the defense with 7 tackles, while LB Dillon Talmon had 5 tackles, and DB Johnathan Coker and LB Jackson Belk each had 4 tackles. Ryle will face 6A Dixie Heights tonight in Edgewood in their second district game.

 

6) 2A Beechwood (3-4) – Beechwood finally seems to have exorcised some demons with the big win they’ve been looking for thus far in 2019. They did so with a huge 68-6 win over 2A district foe Holy Cross (2-5). QB Cam Hergott was 9-12 passing in the game for 174yds and 2 TDs, and he also rushed 5 times for 25yds and 1 TD. QB Jenson Linder also saw some time in the game and was 1-1 passing good for an 11yd TD. WR Mason Williams was the top receiver in the game with 2 receptions for 72yds and 1 TD. Nick Parton also had 2 receptions for 56yds and 1 TD, and Brady Moore had 2 receptions for 23yds and 1 TD. RB Avery Courtney led in rushing with 74yds on 7 carries for 1 TD, and RB Cole Stammer had 5 rushes for 25yds and 2 TDs. Stammer also added an interception on the defensive side of the ball, and Mason Williams had an interception that he returned 20yds for a Tigers touchdown. Beechwood will have their second district game tonight in Erlanger against 2A Lloyd Memorial (5-2).

 

7) 5A Cooper (4-3) – Cooper fought hard on Friday, but the Jags are back on the wrong side of .500 following a 35-29 district loss to 5A Conner. QB Drew Warth was 10-18 passing in the game, good for 122yds in the air and 1 TD. He also rushed 5 times for 13yds. RB Anthony Witschey led the team in offensive yardage and scored all of their offensive touchdowns, with 10 carries for 62yds and 2 TDs, and also led in receiving with his 1 catch for a 44yd touchdown. WR Jeremiah Lee scored the remaining touchdown for the Jags on a returned kickoff. Lee also forced a fumble on the defensive side of things, in addition to his 2 tackles, and the defense was led by DB Chester Hale with 9 tackles and LB Ethan Bosway with 8 tackles and 1 sack.

 

8) 1A Newport Central Catholic (4-2) – The Thoroughbreds had their first district game back in 1A on Friday, and started things off with a big 49-10 win over 1A Ludlow (4-3). QB Paul Kremer was nearly flawless going 11-12 passing for 137yds and 5 TDS, and backup QB Dom Morgan was 3-4 passing for 41yds and 1 TD. RB Jahmir Ackerson led the offense with 88yds on 9 carries, and the lone rushing touchdown was scored by RB Joe Doeker on a 1yd run. Doeker also had 2 pass receptions for 16yds and 1 TD, while WR Cody Mueller led in yardage with 46yds on 2 receptions and 1 TD, Tanner Daunt had 3 receptions for 42yds and 1 TD, Coy Hunt had 1 catch for a 32yd TD, and Caleb Jefferson had 3 receptions for 21yds and 2 TDs. Freshman DB Matthew Landrum and DB Justin Schneider each tallied an interception on defense. New Cath faces 1A Dayton (4-3) tonight in their second district match of the season.

 

9) 4A Scott (5-2) – No action for Scott this past week. The Eagles are on the road tonight for their 3rd district match-up of the season, this time against 4A Boyd County (1-6).

 

10) Lloyd Memorial (5-2) – The Juggernauts came back from their bye week last Friday and put another W in the books with a 26-7 win over 2A Newport (6-2) in their first district game of the season. QB Jacob Davidson was 8-13 passing on the night for 83yds, and rushed 20 times for 111yds and 3 TDs. RB Dakota Theil carried the ball 11 times, good for 74yds and the team’s remaining TD. WR Keesean Crim had 4 catches for 53yds, Trshawn Cody had 1 catch for 18yds, Dakota Theil had 1 catch for 10yds and Keion Alexander had 1 catch for 2yds. LB Isaac Abdon led the defense again in tackles with 8, and DB Tayvonne Coleman-Ewell had 5 tackles. Keesean Crim had 4 tackles and 2 INTs from his position at defensive back. Lloyd will have their big district game of the 2019 season against 2A Beechwood (3-4) tonight at home.

 

 

 

TRENDING UP

 

2A Beechwood (3-4) – The Tigers got their second straight win on Friday with a 68-6 romp over 2A Holy Cross (2-5).

 

1A Bellevue (2-5) – The Tigers tallied their second win in three weeks, this time with a rivalry win on the road against 1A Dayton (4-3).

 

 

TRENDING DOWN

 

5A Grant County (3-5) – The Braves dropped their third straight game on Friday and their second straight district game of the year, losing 56-0 to 5A Scott County (7-1).

 

6A Dixie Heights (2-5) – Friday sealed the deal, guaranteeing that the Colonels will have to go without a winning regular season for a 5th straight season after losing 43-27 to 6A Simon Kenton (4-3).

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK (RESULTS): WEEK 7

 

5A Conner vs. 5A Cooper

 

The Cougars should have won this one big, by looking at the offensive yards in the game – nearly doubling the Jaguars in offensive yards. But a special teams touchdown kept Cooper in this one. Conner held on for a 35-29 win to keep their undefeated district record intact though.

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: WEEK 8

 

5A Covington Catholic vs. 5A Highlands

 

If this isn’t the game of the week in northern Kentucky, then what in the world is a “game of the week”? These two teams meet for a 52nd consecutive year as district competitors. The rivalry record heavily favors Highlands at 49 wins to 21 for Cov Cath, but the Colonels have won the last 4 games straight, with Colonels head coach Eddie Eviston currently holding a 4-2 record against Highlands. It’s a big night in Fort Thomas tonight.

Edited October 18, 20196 yr by Colonels_Wear_Blue

NKY RPI Ratings:

 

Covington Catholic 0.698

Conner 0.642

Highlands 0.600

Simon Kenton 0.533

Ryle 0.534

Beechwood 0.617

Cooper 0.543

Newport Central Catholic 0.673

Scott 0.578

Lloyd Memorial 0.678

Where do Walton and Dixie stand in terms of "and then the rest" after the top 10?

Where do Walton and Dixie stand in terms of "and then the rest" after the top 10?

 

Without putting too much thought to it, I'd probably say the next five are something like:

 

11) Walton-Verona

12) Dixie Heights

13) Boone County

14) Campbell County

15) Newport

NKY RPI Ratings:

 

Covington Catholic 0.698

Conner 0.642

Highlands 0.600

Simon Kenton 0.533

Ryle 0.534

Beechwood 0.617

Cooper 0.543

Newport Central Catholic 0.673

Scott 0.578

Lloyd Memorial 0.678

 

I don't want to derail the discussion into an RPI debate, but those RPI numbers sure make the new KHSAA RPI system look very flawed.

 

As to the power rankings, it is hard to argue with your list. I still have doubts about Conner above Highlands but can't argue against it with Conner having the win head to head. Let's see how Highlands holds up against Cov Cath tonight and whether the Bluebirds can show us something that might make that Conner win look more like just a bad half of football for Highlands.

I don't want to derail the discussion into an RPI debate, but those RPI numbers sure make the new KHSAA RPI system look very flawed.

 

As to the power rankings, it is hard to argue with your list. I still have doubts about Conner above Highlands but can't argue against it with Conner having the win head to head. Let's see how Highlands holds up against Cov Cath tonight and whether the Bluebirds can show us something that might make that Conner win look more like just a bad half of football for Highlands.

 

I agree on all counts.

I don't want to derail the discussion into an RPI debate, but those RPI numbers sure make the new KHSAA RPI system look very flawed.

 

As to the power rankings, it is hard to argue with your list. I still have doubts about Conner above Highlands but can't argue against it with Conner having the win head to head. Let's see how Highlands holds up against Cov Cath tonight and whether the Bluebirds can show us something that might make that Conner win look more like just a bad half of football for Highlands.

I agree on all counts.

 

I definitely feel the same. Conner's performance against Ryle compared to Highlands' performance against Ryle makes that all sit pretty funny...but it's a "here and now" ranking, and Conner's win over Highlands is much more here and now than either of the Ryle games.

Actually that was Lloyd’s first district game against Newport.

Actually that was Lloyd’s first district game against Newport.

 

Thank you, sir. Just got that edited in there :thumb:

NKY RPI Ratings:

 

Covington Catholic 0.698

Conner 0.642

Highlands 0.600

Simon Kenton 0.533

Ryle 0.534

Beechwood 0.617

Cooper 0.543

Newport Central Catholic 0.673

Scott 0.578

Lloyd Memorial 0.678

 

How do the RPI numbers compare when you actually put acurate numbers on out of state opponents?

 

Shouldn't Ryle, SK and CovCath have better RPI numbers since they played upper level teams from OH?

 

 

 

5A Conner vs. 5A Cooper

 

The Cougars should have won this one big, by looking at the offensive yards in the game – nearly doubling the Jaguars in offensive yards. But a special teams touchdown kept Cooper in this one. Conner held on for a 35-29 win to keep their undefeated district record intact though.

 

 

 

Were you at the Conner vs. Cooper game last week? I feel like your recap of the game is very misleading of how the game went. You mention Conner should have won the game big, and a special teams score was what kept Cooper in it, but fail to mention how a special teams score was also the reason why Conner won. Cooper fumbled the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, and Conner scooped it up and scored. When at the time the game was 10 to 7 at half and Cooper was receiving the kick before that happened. The game then proceded to go Conner up 16 to 7, then 16 to 14, then 22 to 14, then 22 all with 10 minutes to go in the 4th. Then another Cooper fumble inside their own 10 set up another Conner score to make it 28 to 22, and eventually get to the final score of 35 to 29.

 

So I am not sure if you were there, or just going on stats. However, I think the people who were there would feel like your recap was not really even close to the game, because the game was back and forth all game long. With Cooper turnovers being the difference, just as much as you saying a Cooper kick return was what kept them in it. There is almost two things you can always count on in a Cooper vs. Conner game and that is rain with a muddy field, and a game that comes down to the very end. Which that game followed the same narrative. Was a fun game, Conner was able to make that one more play to win it.

Cannot compare teams RPI's from different classes. Example, Male beats a 1A in their opening game 100-0. Because they played down their RPI game value would only be approximately .500(rounded). Ludlow beats the same 1A team the next week 7-6 and earns an RPI game value of 1.000. Although game value is only a part of the total RPI value, this hypothetical would say Ludlow is superior to Male. The comparison of RPIs is intended to be rankings within class. Lower classes are rewarded for playing up and winning, lot less for losing. Higher classes are penalized about 15% game value per class it moves down. Very complex and computer required to track all the moving parts.

I definitely feel the same. Conner's performance against Ryle compared to Highlands' performance against Ryle makes that all sit pretty funny...but it's a "here and now" ranking, and Conner's win over Highlands is much more here and now than either of the Ryle games.

 

The Highlands game was by far Ryle’s worst game of the year. I think it was officially 6 turnovers with multiple bad snaps on top of that. Also a QB that is not near varsity ready.

The Highlands game was by far Ryle’s worst game of the year. I think it was officially 6 turnovers with multiple bad snaps on top of that. Also a QB that is not near varsity ready.

 

Correct, the Ryle offense wasn’t near where they were when they played Conner a few weeks before.

Were you at the Conner vs. Cooper game last week? I feel like your recap of the game is very misleading of how the game went. You mention Conner should have won the game big, and a special teams score was what kept Cooper in it, but fail to mention how a special teams score was also the reason why Conner won. Cooper fumbled the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, and Conner scooped it up and scored. When at the time the game was 10 to 7 at half and Cooper was receiving the kick before that happened. The game then proceded to go Conner up 16 to 7, then 16 to 14, then 22 to 14, then 22 all with 10 minutes to go in the 4th. Then another Cooper fumble inside their own 10 set up another Conner score to make it 28 to 22, and eventually get to the final score of 35 to 29.

 

So I am not sure if you were there, or just going on stats. However, I think the people who were there would feel like your recap was not really even close to the game, because the game was back and forth all game long. With Cooper turnovers being the difference, just as much as you saying a Cooper kick return was what kept them in it. There is almost two things you can always count on in a Cooper vs. Conner game and that is rain with a muddy field, and a game that comes down to the very end. Which that game followed the same narrative. Was a fun game, Conner was able to make that one more play to win it.

 

I'm admittedly going off of stats, more than anything. I went back and listened to a little bit of the @859Radio broadcast as well, but I didn't have the opportunity to give the entire thing a listen. For the record, my statement was not that "Cooper should have won the game big", it was "Cooper should have won the game big, by looking at the offensive yards in the game".

 

When Conner is passing for 303 yards and ends up with 424 total offensive yards to Cooper's 244 total offensive yards, it definitely has the appearance of being more back than forth. I felt like when I said Conner "held on" for the win, I wasn't exactly saying the Cougars rolled to the win in this one. If anything, I think it's kind of a sign that there were some significant things going wrong for a team when you almost double the offensive yards of the other team and still only win by 6 points.