The Battle of Newport in 2023 brings us a Top 10 Class 1A showdown. Both teams are coming off the bye week into this matchup. 
Newport Central Catholic sits at 2-4 on the season, while Newport comes in with the opposite record of 4-2. The winner of this matchup will most likely lock up the districts number 1 seed.  Many questions coming into this matchup. 
 

Who wins this matchup? Does Newport Central Catholic flex in this matchup? Does Newport get its first win since 1999?

When and where is this game being played?

28-24 Newport.

NCC is very banged up even though they are coming off a bye week.  QB Kolton Smith will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to repair some damage to his foot suffered in the Raceland game.  Caleb Cole and Will Sandfoss still on the mend as well as the JV QB.  With all that said Newport will get a heavy dose of D. Welch who is very tough to bring down.  This one could be interesting as Newport is having a fine year.

20 minutes ago, BLUEHOUND said:

When and where is this game being played?

Two weeks ago, @Breds82 said they were putting up the stands at Newport. It's listed as a Saturday home game for New Cath, so playing at Cov Cath again?

wcpo.com/newport-high-stadium-opening-delayed-until-end-of-october

57 minutes ago, Bac2369 said:

Who wins this matchup? Does Newport Central Catholic flex in this matchup? Does Newport get its first win since 1999?

It's been noted that NCC is a little banged up. Maybe closer than folks think. I do really like the progress Coach Hahn is making with the Wildcats program. Moving down to 1A is good news for this cycle.

? A blast from the past ~ 1999 was the third year in a row Newport won the "Fireman Bell" game. The Wildcats' head coach during that stretch was current Simon Kenton HC Roy Lucas. 

From the Enquirer (8.30.97) ~

That one stings. 

It was Roy Lucas Sr. who single handily rescued Newports football program in the 90s and made them into a serious player in the old 2A days. 1996 Newport was supposed to win but the Breds did. In 1997 the Bred were the favorite, but the late great NKY Post (who did a preview of every NKY game on Thursdays) had to say “is this the year the Wildcats end the Streak?”. 24hrs later and two pick 6s later and they answered that. 1998, lost 13-12 because our boys went for two both times. 1999 Cats routed the Breds with one of the best Newport teams of all time. They had the ability to make it way deeper than they did in the 2A playoffs. 
 

The stands and press box seem complete but I’m not sure on all the other stuff. Are they building bathrooms, locker rooms and concession stands?

Good luck both teams, hope my Breds can pull it out. I think it’ll be close.

24 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

It was Roy Lucas Sr. who single handily rescued Newports football program in the 90s and made them into a serious player in the old 2A.

You're right on Lucas Sr. Not Jr.; mea culpa.

I lived through those days, so it’s been burned into my brain. He was one heck of a coach. 

Definitely an interesting game. Good luck to both teams.

Is the game at CovCath ?

1 minute ago, dshoe40 said:

Is the game at CovCath ?

I believe that it is.

Cov cath has a bye.  Guessing it's the 6th. 

Who is QB with Smith out ? When was last time Newport won the matchup ?