For Cov Cath, there aren't many football series that go back further than their series with Ashland does...only three, as a matter of fact. Newport, Lafayette, and Boone County. The Tomcats were the 4th varsity team ever faced by the Colonels, back in 1967 when Cov Cath headed down to Ashland only to be blanked at Putnam Stadium by QB John Radjunas and the Tomcats in a 30-0 shutout. Ashland, the eventual 2A state champs in 1967, held the Colonels to -10 yards rushing in the game.

Cov Cath and Ashland have faced one another fifteen times: eight times in the regular season, and seven in the playoffs. In the years they've encounter each other on the gridiron, either Tomcats or the Colonels have gone on to appear in the state finals 6 times (Ashland: '67, '72, '75; Cov Cath: '88, '94, '97) and the have produced 4 state titles, with wins in '67, '88, '94, and '97. The Colonels currently lead the series 10 wins to 5.

The Colonels are the favorite by seed and by RPI this year for the 16th installment of the series. After the first opening week of the 4A playoffs, they have three common opponents:
 - Greenup County: Lost 63-7 to Ashland on Sep 22, and lost 49-12 to Cov Cath on Nov 4.
 - Harrison County: Lost 56-6 to Cov Cath on Oct 13, and lost 56-14 to Ashland on Nov 4.
 - Simon Kenton: Lost 50-12 to Cov Cath on Sep 1, and lost 49-42 to Ashland on Oct 27.

(10-1) Ashland will be only the 4th team Cov Cath has faced this season that does not rely significantly on their quarterback's legs. LaBryant Strader, the Tomcats' junior quarterback, is primarily a passer, and Ashland relies on running backs Braxton Jennings and Atayveon Thomas to handle their ground attack. The team is at an abundance for ball carriers, but Jennings & Thomas have accounted for approximately 55% of Ashland's rushing this season, and over half of their rushing touchdowns. Strader's favorite passing targets this season are Brandon Houston and Braxton Jennings. On D, senior linebacker Sawyer Edens leads the team in tackles, with linebacker Austin Nichols and defensive back Cameron Davis also anchoring the defense. Ashland's defense has been giving up an average of about 275 yards and 19 points per game, compared to their offense that have averaged about 420 yards and an impressive 45 points per game. One of the most impressive stat lines for the Tomcat D is their turnover rate, with 10 interceptions and 7 forced fumbles this season. Ashland's only loss this year came two weeks ago at the hands of Johnson Central, who beat them 36-33.

A couple of hours up the AA Highway, Cov Cath is currently still undefeated, sitting at 11-0 on the season after their win over Greenup County last night. Quarterback Evan Pitzer has proven a nightmare for many defenses, with his ability to both airmail 40 yard darts time and again all season combined with his ability to take it to you with his feet. And if Pitzer isn't the one rushing the ball at you, then it's more than likely senior running back Owen Leen, who's sitting with 603 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing in 8 games played this season. Tight end Willie Rodriguez, and wide receivers Braylon Miller, Oliver Link, and Noah Johnson combine for a formidable set of hands for Pitzer to pass the ball down field, and gain yardage quickly with each of them averaging over 15 yards per reception. On defense, junior LB Tate Kruer and senior DL Ben Reeves make the most trouble for their opposition, with 95 solo tackles and 8 sacks between the two of them. The defense also added two-year starter Josh Flood back into their linebacking corps last night, after Flood was sidelined with a broken collar bone in Cov Cath's September 15th comeback win over Beechwood.

What are your predictions for this second round battle in Park Hills on Friday?

Series Record:
1967 Ashland (Hallum) beat Cov Cath (Rasso) 33-0
1968 Cov Cath (Lanham) beat Ashland (Conley) 12-0
1969 Cov Cath (Tassini) beat Ashland (Conley) 35-0
1970 Cov Cath (Tassini) beat Ashland (Conley) 27-6
1971 Ashland (Conley) beat Cov Cath (Tassini) 34-6
1972 Ashland (Conley) beat Cov Cath (Tassini) 30-0
1973 Ashland (Conley) beat Cov Cath (Bernier) 14-10
1975 Ashland (Conley) beat Cov Cath (Ray) 56-14
1988* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Ashland (Marsh) 6-0 (OT)
1991* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Ashland (Marsh) 41-24
1994* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Ashland (Arthur) 34-14
1996* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Ashland (Arthur) 21-6
1997* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Ashland (Marsh) 35-5
2010* Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Ashland (Hart) 43-19
2011* Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Ashland (Hart) 35-8

*Playoffs

Much respect for the Ashland program. Looking forward to seeing the game planning by both coaching staffs in what is likely the best 4A matchup in this round of the playoffs.

Should be a good game but gut tells me even if Ashland plays nearly flawlessly that Cov Cath should win. Hope that everyone comes out uninjured.

Cov Cath is a little more than the Tomcats are used to seeing. Two fine programs. The Colonels are a little stronger.

Ashland has athletes on offense that can compete with anyone in 4A. 
 

Up front on both offense and defense they are weak. Defensively overall they are weak. To me that will be the difference in this game. Cov Cath is the most well rounded football team Ashland has seen all year. Is be shocked if Cov Cath does not control the game even though I think Ashland will make some big explosive plays. 
 

Best of luck to both. 

Tough one to pick.

3 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Tough one to pick.

The poll is 30-0 CCH right now so I am guessing it hasn't been too tough for anyone...

? Not overlooking Ashland by any means; in fact my feathers are ruffled.

? Good news from our Autumn Travel Advisory specialist:

? Cov Cath vs. Ashland ~

✓ CalPreps favors CCH 35-26. 

✓ Latest TP94 Power Ratings: 

• Cov Cath, 77.08 

• Ashland, 63.85

2 hours ago, theguru said:

The poll is 30-0 CCH right now so I am guessing it hasn't been too tough for anyone...

Make that 37 to 1!

There are so few things you can really always count on in life...but the sun rising in the east, setting in the west, and MaddenCurse44 scrambling to make excuses for Simon Kenton and hating on Cov Cath, those, you can ALWAYS count on.

21 minutes ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

There are so few things you can really always count on in life...but the sun rising in the east, setting in the west, and MaddenCurse44 scrambling to make excuses for Simon Kenton and hating on Cov Cath, those, you can ALWAYS count on.

I never made excuses I called it like it is! Go Ashland!

7 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

I never made excuses I called it like it is! Go Ashland!

9 minutes ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Can't wait to here your excuses when CoCath loses!

I don’t think this one is in question at the end. Ashland beat SK in a shootout, CovCath curb stomped SK.