1) 5A Covington Catholic (9-0) – The Colonels are one win away from 3-straight undefeated regular seasons after their 13-0 shutout over district rival 5A Highlands (5-4). The scoring margin might be a little different from what some were expecting, but that all depends on who you were talking to. The Colonels are now 3-0 in district competition. QB Caleb Jacob was 12-25 passin for 215yds, 1 TD and 1 INT in the game, with WR Ethan Reardon leading the offense with 174yds and 1 TD on 9 receptions. TE Michael Mayer had 23yds on 1 reception, and WR Andy Molique had 18yds on 2 receptions. Daniel Felix led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 59yds, and Michael Boydston returned to the active roster with 23yds on 5 carries. Kicker Trey Gronotte had two field goals and an extra point to give the Colonels their remaining 7 points in the game. Michael Mayer led the defense in tackles with 14, an Daniel Felix had 10 tackles, including a sack. The Colonels will play to go undefeated in both district competition and in their regular season when they head to Hebron to take on 5A Conner (8-1) tomorrow night.

 

2) Conner (7-1) – No action this past Friday. The Cougars return to action tomorrow against 5A Covington Catholic (8-0) in a battle for the District 5 champion.

 

3) 5A Highlands (5-4) – The Birds were shut out for a second time this week, this time at the hands of 5A Covington Catholic (9-0) in a 13-0 home loss. Highlands offense was stymied by the Colonels defense, coming up short with only 135yds total offense. QB Collin Hollingsworth was 4-11 passing for 45yds and 1 INT, and he ran the ball 11 times for 24yds. WR Hunter Ahlfeld has 2 receptions for 36yds, and RB Joe Buten pulled in the two remaining receptions, good for 10yds. RB Sawyer Depp led the offensive ground game with 25yds on 9 carries, and RB Buten had 22yds on 12 carries. Brycen Huddleston was the defensive leader in tackling, with 13 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss from is position at linebacker. DL Zach Lewin also logged 7 tackles in the game, including 2 tackles for loss. The Bluebirds will finish off their regular season tomorrow with a district match-up against 5A Cooper (5-4).

 

4) 6A Simon Kenton (5-3) –The Pioneers managed to string together two straight wins for the first time this season by beating 6A Campbell County (0-8) in a 34-7 senior night victory. Simon Kenton is now 2-0 in district competition. QB Chase Crone had a strong night going 9-14 passing for 197yds, 1 TD and 1 INT. Junior QB Marcus Courtney also spent time behind center, going 10-14 passing for 96yds in addition to leading the rushing attack with 87yds and 1 TD on 8 carries. RB Austin Hammack rushed 18 times for 69yds and 1 TD, and RB Quincy North carried the ball 14 times for 41yds and 1 TD. WRs John Ivey and Caleb Livers both had 53yds each receiving, and WR Landon Scott had the team’s 1 touchdown by air on his lone 31yd reception. Isaac Bleier also scored for the ‘Neers on a returned kickoff. LB Nate Walker led the Simon Kenton D with 11 tackles, and DB Zack Koenes had 9 tackles. The Pioneers will conclude their district schedule in Union on Friday against 6A Ryle (5-4).

 

5) 6A Ryle (5-4) – Ryle notched their second district win on Friday, beating 6A Dixie Heights (2-6) on the road with a final score of 13-8. The Raiders offense was held to fewer offensive yards than their opponent, but managed to get the win. QB Keegan Stanken was 11-16 passing for 151yds and 2 TDs, and added 11yds rushing. RB Kyle England ran the ball 15 times for 47yds, and RB Mathias Cusick ran 5 times for 20yds. WR Johnathan Coker led the offense with 108yds and 1 TD on his 4 receptions, and RB Will Watkins also had 4 receptions, good for 24yds and 1 TD. DB Luke Bradshaw was the Raiders’ leading tackler, with 11 total tackles. DB Mathias Cusick and LB Gabe Savage each had 8 tackles a piece, and LB Dillon Talmon tallied 7 tackles. Ryle will conclude their regular season tomorrow night with a senior night game against district rival 6A Simon Kenton (5-3).

 

6) 5A Cooper (5-4) – Cooper had their biggest offensive game of the season by nearly 100yds, finishing their 54-0 win over 5A Boone County (2-7) with 500 offensive yards even. QB Drew Warth had a huge night, going 12-17 passing for 257yds and 3 TDs, and rushing 3 times for 49yds. RB Anthony Witschey rushed 9 times for 84yds and 1 TD, and had 3 receptions for 45 more yards and a TD. RBs Brendon Tye and Eli White also had rushing TDs. WR Jeremiah Lee had 5 catches for 113yds and 1 TD, and ran twice for 21yds and 1 TD. The remaining touchdowns were scored by WR Bryan Yelton on a 59yds TD reception, and on a fumble pickup for a 9yd defensive TD by Brady Bond. LB Ethan Bosway was the leading tackler for the Jags’ defense with 12 tackles including 1 tackle for a loss, and LB Jake Harmeyer had 7 tackles. Cooper will finish up their regular season tomorrow night with their fight for 3rd place in District 5 against 5A Highlands (5-4).

 

7) 2A Beechwood (4-4) – Beechwood finally made it to the .500 mark in their regular season on Friday with a solid 37-0 shutout over 2A district rival Lloyd Memorial (5-3), giving the Tigers a 2-0 start in their district run. QB Cam Hergott put on a show, going 20-24 passing for 225yds and 2 TDs, and leading the team’s rushing attack with 55yds on 7 carries. RB Avery Courtney had 46yds and 1 TD on 6 carries, and RB Cole Stammer had 30yds and 1 TD on 9 carries. WR Mason Williams led the receivers with 85yds on 9 receptions, WR Gage Dollenmeyer had 2 receptions for 41yds and 1 TD, WR Keaton Durrett had 3 receptions for 28yds, and WR Brady Moore had 2 receptions for 28yds and 1 TD. Mason Williams also had a 42yd pick-six on defense. Beechwood will finish out their district run tomorrow night, hosting 2A Newport (7-2).

 

8) 1A Newport Central Catholic (6-2) – The Thoroughbreds continued their romp over their 1A district last week with a 49-0 win over 1A Dayton (4-4). New Cath has now tallied four straight games with 5 or more touchdowns. QB Paul Kremer was 13-21 passing for 199yds and 3 TDs, and backup QB Dom Morgan went 3-3 passing for 45yds and 1 TD. RB Jahmir Ackerson led the rushing game with 8 carries for 99yds and 1 TD, and FB Isaac Freppon had his first TD of the season on a 2yds goal line punch-in. WR Caleb Jefferson was the leading receiver with 4 receptions for 79yds and 2 TDs, WR Quentin Meyer had 3 receptions for 45yds and 1 TD, and RB Joe Doeker had a 9yd TD reception. DB Justin Schneider added a defensive TD on a 45yd scoop-and-score. The Breds will finish up their district schedule Friday night against 1A Bellevue (2-6) in Bellevue.

 

9) 4A Scott (6-2) – The Eagles took the drive down to Ashland on Friday and took on 4A Boyd County (1-7) in their 3rd district game, and came home with a 54-26 win over the Lions. QB Gus Howlett was 8-13 passing for 131yds, 2 TDs, and 1 INT, and ran twice for 4yds and a TD. RB Quincy Perring ran 16 times for 201yds and 2 TDs, and passed once, good for a 1yd TD connection to FB Nigel Robinson. RB Robert Pence ran 4 times for 28yds and 1 TD, and Jackson Hardin had a 6yd TD run. WR Cam Patterson was the top receiver with 4 catches for 86yds and 2 TDs. LB Nigel Robinson led the defense with 11 tackles, LB Zach Scheper had 9 tackles, and DE Sage Lalley had 8 tackles. Scott will finish up their district schedule on senior night tomorrow night against 4A Holmes (5-3).

 

10) Dixie Heights (2-6) – The Colonels make their first appearance in the NKY Power Rankings Top 10 this week despite a 7 point district loss to 6A Ryle (5-4). Dixie’s offense has struggled to find their groove this season, but they managed to best the Raiders in total offensive yards on Friday, 315 yards to 227. The defense has showed major resolve, keeping the team in numerous games this season, including their this latest loss. QB Logan Landers was 13-25 passing for 205yds and 1 INT. RB Leon Marshall led the running game with 17 carries for 77yds and the team’s lone touchdown. WR Jacob Iames had 7 receptions good for 162yds. LB Cayden Anderson led the defense with 8 tackles and CB Brayden Wulfeck had 6 tackles. Dixie will be concluding their district schedule in Alexandria tomorrow against 6A Campbell County (0-8).

 

 

TRENDING UP

 

2A Walton-Verona (6-3) – The Bearcats have strung together a 4 game winning streak in the second half of their regular season, with their latest 42-0 shutout win coming over 2A Shawnee (0-7).

 

5A Cooper (4-3) – The Jaguars tallied their 5th of the season to improve themselves to a winning record for the first time this season with a 54-0 shutout win over 5A Boone County (2-7).

 

 

TRENDING DOWN

 

5A Highlands (5-4) – The Bluebirds were handed their 5th straight loss and 3rd shutout in as many games at the hands of 5A Covington Catholic (9-0), losing 13-0 on Friday.

 

6A Campbell County (0-8) – The Camels are struggling badly in 2019, remaining winless after 8 straight games and having scored only 27 points to their competitors’ 285 points. Campbell County’s latest game was a 34-7 loss to 6A Simon Kenton (5-3).

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK (RESULTS): WEEK 8

 

5A Covington Catholic vs. 5A Highlands

 

Covington Catholic may have continued their recent streak of wins over Highlands on Friday with a 13-0 shut-out in Fort Thomas on Friday, but Highlands managed to hold the Colonels to the least points scored since Week 1 of the 2016 football season. Covington Catholic will be battling with Conner this week for the #1 and #2 spots in 5A District 5, and Highlands will be battling with Cooper for the #3 and #4 spots in the District.

 

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: WEEK 9

 

5A Covington Catholic vs. 5A Conner

 

For the second week in a row, the NKY Power Rankings Game Of The Week will feature two of the top three teams in the Power Rankings. The Cougars will be welcoming Cov Cath to Hebron tomorrow night in hopes of sending the Colonels home with a loss and earning the #1 spot in their district. Conner comes into the game on the back of a 5-game win streak, and Cov Cath is coming into the game undefeated, with 9 straight wins.

NKY RPI Ratings (10-24-18):

 

Covington Catholic 0.708

Conner 0.633

Highlands 0.584

Simon Kenton 0.528

Ryle 0.542

Cooper 0.559

Beechwood 0.640

Newport Central Catholic 0.676

Scott 0.564

Dixie Heights 0.434

NKY RPI Ratings (10-18-19):

 

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

 

NKY RPI Ratings (10-24-18):

 

Covington Catholic 0.708

Conner 0.633

Highlands 0.584

Simon Kenton 0.528

Ryle 0.542

Cooper 0.559

Beechwood 0.640

Newport Central Catholic 0.676

Scott 0.564

Dixie Heights 0.434

 

Covington Catholic +0.010

Conner -0.009

Highlands -0.016

Simon Kenton -0.005

Ryle +0.008

Cooper +0.016

Beechwood +0.023

Newport Central Catholic +0.003

Scott -0.014

Cooper sneaks ahead of Beechwood by a very, very thin margin on the back of their offensive performance against Boone County. Beechwood's convincing win over a solid Lloyd team (that also managed to beat Boone County 22-14) can't help but make you wonder though. Cooper's game against Highlands tomorrow night should give some better indication if the jump over Beechwood was completely warranted or not.

 

One take-away from looking at these two in the power rankings this season: After growing up as a Cov Cath kid in Beechwood's school district, I don't want to see the Beechwood vs. Cov Cath game disappear into the past, but I can't help but wonder if Beechwood vs. Cooper isn't a more suitable game.

 

Dixie lost, but still moves up in the power rankings over Lloyd. My guess is if the Red Colonels and the Juggs played ten times this season, Dixie would take 6 of the 10 wins.