A Dash Of Sage And Splash Of Bodner A Winning Recipe

The Knights of Lexington Catholic refused to go without a fight… at least for a half.

After falling behind Boyle County by two scores, Jackson Wasik settled in and put some throws together. He threw two touchdowns and ran for one to push his squad ahead early in the third quarter.

Boyle's deficit was short lived.

Under cover of darkness, the black clad Rebels went to work. 

A certain junior playmaker extraordinaire did his thing, but Sage Dawson and Avery Bodner upped their game as well to help pile on 42 unanswered points in the second half and leave LexCath grasping at air.

Dawson had four touchdown passes and accounted for 420 total yards, including a career high 362 through the air. It was a good night for both quarterbacks, as Wasik threw for 309 yards and played a hand in all three of his team's touchdowns. 

Bodner's impact was laced throughout the game, running for 56 yards and a score, catching five balls for 65 yards and a second touchdown, recording six tackles, three sacks, and forcing a fumble. He's the most unassuming superstar in the state, quietly going about his business while his teammates grab most of the headlines. 

 

Benke Bird Bombs Cooper

The defense has been hit or miss, but Highlands has been met with little resistance lately when they have possession of the football, especially when that ball is in the hands of Brody Benke.

Cooper didn't roll over for the Birds willingly, but Benke bent their defense to his will.

He battered the Jags with 28 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60 yard sprint to the endzone.

That's the play you see on post-game highlight packages, but for those paying attention, Benke stabbing Austin Alexander with a stiff arm before trucking a defensive back was the real head turner and demonstrates just how hard he is to bring down in the open field. 

He produced 235 yards and five touchdowns on 12/18 passing to help keep Highlands just beyond Cooper's reach. 

His seven combined touchdowns are the most by a Highlands quarterback in a single game since 2012.

 

Hodge Automatic Versus Manual

You can compare schedule strength and debate supporting casts, but no matter how you slice it, Cole Hodge has thoroughly outplayed the other FBS quarterback vying for Mr. Football, Cutter Boley. 

The only thing missing from Hodge's season so far was a signature win featuring himself as the centerpiece. Check that off the list following CAL's awe-inducing victory over previously unbeaten Manual.

Hodge carved up the Crimsons for 366 passing yards and five touchdowns, while keeping them off balance with another 84 yards rushing. 

Cole Hodge. Pic cred to Timothy Easley for the Courier Journal.

When taking into account the level of competition, this has to rank as one of the greatest performances of his career.

His third touchdown toss of the game was the 100th of his career, making him the 21st quarterback in KHSAA history to reach the milestone. Assuming good health and the deep playoff push we expect from the Centurions, Hodge has a good look at cracking the all-time top five on that list.

 

Noteworthy Performances From Week 6

- Daniel Thomas continued to widen his lead over Brady Hensley for the state rushing lead, tallying 188 yards and three scores to help Bell County blow out McCreary Central. He also did his best Mitchell Berger impression, connecting on a pair of extra points, a first in his career. Eight tackles and his first sack of the season concluded a well rounded night at the office.

- Regardless of the level of competition, it's a noteworthy achievement anytime a quarterback finishes a game with more touchdown passes than incompletions. Evan Pitzer is the latest watchlist QB to check off that feat. The 'Battle of Covington' was over shortly after it began, as Pitzer connected on 6/8 throws for 226 yards and four touchdowns in a demolition of Holmes. It was an overwhelming mismatch, with CovCath averaging 24 yards per snap.

- Jutarious Starks is starting to heat up for Mayfield. He kept the Cards two or three steps ahead of Henderson County with 178 yards rushing and three scores. Starks has nearly 300 yards and six touchdowns on 27 carries over the last two weeks. 

 

Players Featured This Week

Jackson Wasik (QB, Lexington Catholic)

Season to date: 101/156 for 1,408 yards and 14 touchdowns with 1 interception | 3 rushing 

 

Avery Bodner (RB/DB, Boyle County)

Season to date: 64 carries for 576 yards and 12 touchdowns | 256 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns | 44 tackles | 6.5 TFL | 4 sack | 1 interception | 2 fumbles forced and 1 recovered 

Highlights: vs. LexCath

 

Sage Dawson (QB/DB, Boyle County)

Season to date: 54/75 for 1,398 yards and 12 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 143 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

 

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)

Season to date: 69/109 for 1,042 yards and 14 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 621 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns | 101 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns

Highlights: vs. Cooper

 

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)

Season to date: 131/185 for 1,715 yards and 24 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 307 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

Highlights: vs. Manual

 

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)

Season to date: 142 carries for 1,466 yards and 24 touchdowns | 38 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score 

 

Evan Pitzer (QB, Covington Catholic)

Season to date: 84/120 for 1,304 yards and 15 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 280 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns 

 

Jutarious "Juju" Starks (RB/DE, Mayfield)

Season to date: 68 carries for 496 yards and 10 touchdowns 

I think Jack Zwernemann from Bullitt East should start to pop up on some radars. He's currently the 6th leading rusher in 6A (as a QB) and the 2nd leading passer. I know what BE's schedule looks like compared to the likes of Trinity/X/Male, but he's having a standout season after filling the heavy shoes of Travis Egan. If BE has success in the playoffs and district this year, it will have been off of his back. 

1 hour ago, BlueRaider said:

I think Jack Zwernemann from Bullitt East should start to pop up on some radars. He's currently the 6th leading rusher in 6A (as a QB) and the 2nd leading passer. I know what BE's schedule looks like compared to the likes of Trinity/X/Male, but he's having a standout season after filling the heavy shoes of Travis Egan. If BE has success in the playoffs and district this year, it will have been off of his back. 

I should know but is he a Senior?  

1 hour ago, Hatz said:

I should know but is he a Senior?  

Yes