Former teammates Jeff Barth (HHS '95) and Steve Lickert (HHS '97) will face off for a second time as head coaches on Saturday Sept 12th when 1A Newport Central Catholic hosts 2A Walton-Verona at Newport Stadium.

Coach Barth's Walton-Verona Bearcats had a 8-5 record in 2019, and lost a 10-7 nail-biter to New Cath last year after having a field goal attempt blocked on the final play of the game. The Bearcats will be premiering a new quarterback after graduating Travis Brauer last year. Coach Barth has three QBs in his pocket, with senior Drew Bonne, junior Max Ertel, and sophomore Braden Daniels all working out at quarterback - both Daniels and Bonne saw varsity snaps last year. Leading rusher Jacob Gaines also returns as a junior running back. Senior TE Colton Shawver and Jacob Gaines were also the top two receivers for Walton-Verona last year. The Bearcats D also returns their top two tacklers, and a total of five of their top ten tacklers.

Coach Licker's New Cath Thoroughbreds were 10-3 in 2019, and are looking to improve on their exit in the quarterfinals of the 1A playoffs last year. The Breds will also be breaking in a new starting QB, with senior Malaki Herndon and junior Dom Morgan returning on the roster. Morgan saw more time at quarterback last year, but it's not clear whether or not he will be getting the nod. Their two leading running backs, seniors Jahmir Ackerson and Joey Runyon, both return in the backfield, but the majority of the receiving corps will also be newcomers. New Cath's defense lost their four top tacklers, but like the Bearcats, they also return the fiver of their top ten tacklers from last season.

Kickoff is on Saturday at 7:00pm, and with Diocesan guidelines only allowing two tickets distributed to the households of all participating players in Newport Central Catholic home games, Star 64/CW Cincinnati has agreed to provide a broadcast of Saturday's season opener. The game can be watched locally on The CW Cincinnati.

It looks like WV returns four starters on the offensive line, while NewCath loses four. Continuity at that position is so important. I think it gives the Bearcats the edge they need to get the win.

I think both these feel like they have a lot of speed. It will be an interesting to see how that plays out.

I am interested in this game, it should tell us a lot about both teams. 

Alot of variables in this game and it will be interesting to see how big a variable the shortened/limited practice season is. WV returns most of the team from last year and I know NCC returns skills players from last year. Should be an interesting game.

New Cath gets the opening kickoff, has a nice, consistent drive down the field and scores.

New Cath leads 7-0. 8:19 to go in 1Q.

New Cath boots a 43 yard field goal with a minute to go in 1Q.

10-0 Breds.

Walton-Verona fumbles at the New Cath 38 yard line and the Breds recover.

New Cath goes 3 and out, and punts. Bearcats fumble on the return and give New Cath the ball on the Walton-Verona 18.

1st and 10 New Cath with 8-1/2 minutes to go in the first half.

New Cath is forced to go for a field goal. 30 yard FG attempt is no good.

Walton-Verona takes over with 7 minutes to go in the 2Q.

New Cath scores again.

17-0 Breds with 3:50 to go in the half.

New Cath is up 17-0 at the half.

Walton-Verona with a longgggg 9-1/2 minute drive to open up the 2nd half. Bearcats are on the scoreboard.

17-7 New Cath with 2:39 to go in 3Q.

Walton-Verona forces another 3 and out for New Cath....and then they turnover again on another fumble.

New Cath 1st and 10 on the Walton-Verona 47 yard line, with just under 0:30 to go in the 3Q.

New Cath goes 3 and out again. Touchback on the punt.

Bearcats go 3 and out.

New Cath 1st and 10 on their own 49 yard line after the Walton-Verona punt.

New Cath scores two plays after drawings Walton-Verona offsides in a 4th and 3 situation for the Breds. Not sure what happened on the PAT, but they didn't convert.

23-7 New Cath with 4:11 left in the game.