Friday will mark the first time that Covington Catholic has ever taken on Louisville Central on the gridiron. In 59 seasons of varsity football, the Colonels have tallied 714 total games played, with only 22 of those games (3%) taking place against competitors from Jefferson County. The last time Cov Cath ventured down to the Derby City was 9 seasons ago when they lost to Fern Creek in the quarterfinals of the 2016 5A playoffs. All-time, the Colonels have a 7-15 record against teams from Jefferson County.

Halfway through their 2025 regular season, Cov Cath is currently sitting on a 3-2 record, losing their first two contests to 6A Ryle in Week 1 and OH-D1 Elder in Week 2. After the two losses the Colonels put together a three-game win streak against 6A Simon Kenton, 5A Dixie Heights and 2A Beechwood, beating their competitors by a combined score of 153-36. In 2 of their 5 games this season the Colonel offense has leaned harder on its passing game, while they came out with a more equal run-to-pass approach during their season opener, and in their remaining 2 games the offense has leaned more on its running strength. Last week senior QB Cash Harney and senior RB Dylan Gaiser combined for almost 350 of the team's total 469 yards rushing against Beechwood. The Colonels' two strongest passing games came against Elder (OH) and Simon Kenton where they passed for 174 yards and 176 yards, respectively.

Cov Cath's defense has been coming together more and more, with down-linemen Jonny Lind and Charlie Reeves joining forces as a formidable run-barrier up front, Owen Pitzer moving to edge, and Brady Guard moving to join Cash Myers and Tucker Evans as linebacker. Brendan Smith has also been an impressive add to the defensive secondary as a freshman, joining Dylan Gaiser, Cash Harney, Gabe Weis, Zach Brooks, and Luke Lampe in the rotation of backfielders.

Central, also halfway through their regular season, is currently sitting on a 2-3 record with wins against 5A Butler and 2A Shawnee, losses to 6A Manual, 2A Belfry, and a 41-20 loss to 6A Bullitt East this past Friday. This season Coach Marvin Dantzler has been faced with the monumental task of replacing a graduating class of skills players that represented 86% of his offensive production from last season. Much of that has been done by switching from last year's VERY run heavy offensive scheme (84 run/16 pass) to a notably more passing-favored scheme this year (61 pass/39 run). Junior QB Phillip Baker is 52-103 passing on the season for 618 yards, 4 TDs and 6 INTs. Baker's favorite passing targets have been sophomore WRs Khalen Hadley and Demontrae Cherry, who have 252 yards and 184 yards, respectively on 17 receptions each, along with 1 touchdown a piece. The Yellowjackets' ground attack has been led by junior RB Rashad Johnson, who has 45 carries for 189 yards and 3 TDs this season. Central's defense is led by Senior linebacker Brian Marshall, junior linebacker Destinn Basemore, junior defensive back Jalen Dantzler (who is currently holding offers from EKU and Miami, OH), and senior safety Daivaughn Bell-Maxwell. 

Friday's game will be Central's second game played on the new turf field at Ty Scroggins Stadium. Kickoff is currently set for 7:00pm.

What are your predictions for the game?

Just now, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Friday will mark the first time that Covington Catholic has ever taken on Louisville Central on the gridiron. In 59 seasons of varsity football, the Colonels have tallied 714 total games played, with only 22 of those games (3%) taking place against competitors from Jefferson County. The last time Cov Cath ventured down to the Derby City was 9 seasons ago when they lost to Fern Creek in the quarterfinals of the 2016 5A playoffs. All-time, the Colonels have a 7-15 record against teams from Jefferson County.

Covington Catholic vs. Jefferson County Opponents

1967 - Shawnee 7 Cov Cath 6
1968 - Cov Cath 13 Shawnee 0
1969 - Cov Cath 35 Shawnee 18
1969 - Cov Cath 14 Flaget 2
1969 - St. Xavier 27 Cov Cath 0
1970 - Trinity 21 Cov Cath 13
1970 - Cov Cath 20 Shawnee 14
1970 - Flaget 28 Cov Cath 7
1970 - St. Xavier 36 Cov Cath 15
1971 - Trinity 14 Cov Cath 2
1971 - Flaget 28 Cov Cath 22
1971 - St. Xavier 41 Cov Cath 6
1972 - Trinity 19 Cov Cath 0
1972 - St. Xavier 36 Cov Cath 0
1999 - Cov Cath 24 St. Xavier 14
2007 - St. Xavier 31 Cov Cath 14
2008 - St. Xavier 56 Cov Cath 0
2009 - St. Xavier 63 Cov Cath 7
2010 - St. Xavier 40 Cov Cath 19
2016 - Cov Cath 63 Fairdale 7
2016 - Cov Cath 48 Doss 21
2016 - Fern Creek 35 Cov Cath 28

I predict CovCath will running clock them.

I will say CCH 42-6.

Absolute murderous schedule for Central. They are improving but CovCath may be the best team they have faced yet.

13 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Covington Catholic vs. Jefferson County Opponents

1967 - Shawnee 7 Cov Cath 6
1968 - Cov Cath 13 Shawnee 0
1969 - Cov Cath 35 Shawnee 18
1969 - Cov Cath 14 Flaget 2
1969 - St. Xavier 27 Cov Cath 0
1970 - Trinity 21 Cov Cath 13
1970 - Cov Cath 20 Shawnee 14
1970 - Flaget 28 Cov Cath 7
1970 - St. Xavier 36 Cov Cath 15
1971 - Trinity 14 Cov Cath 2
1971 - Flaget 28 Cov Cath 22
1971 - St. Xavier 41 Cov Cath 6
1972 - Trinity 19 Cov Cath 0
1972 - St. Xavier 36 Cov Cath 0
1999 - Cov Cath 24 St. Xavier 14
2007 - St. Xavier 31 Cov Cath 14
2008 - St. Xavier 56 Cov Cath 0
2009 - St. Xavier 63 Cov Cath 7
2010 - St. Xavier 40 Cov Cath 19
2016 - Cov Cath 63 Fairdale 7
2016 - Cov Cath 48 Doss 21
2016 - Fern Creek 35 Cov Cath 28

I believe Flaget High was not far from Shawnee High school. The scores indicate competitive matchups for a fledgling CovCath program.

On 9/22/2025 at 1:40 PM, colonel-fan said:

I believe Flaget High was not far from Shawnee High school. The scores indicate competitive matchups for a fledgling CovCath program.

Yes. Flaget was also in the west end. Very good program back in the day. Paul Hornung, Oscar Brohm, and Howard Schnellenberger are just a few notable names the Braves produced.

Flaget tied Thomas Jefferson (now-defunct Jefferson Co. public HS) 6-6 in the 3A title game in 1971. That Cov. Cath game is one of the closest contest the Braves played in that season.

Cov Cath via a running clock. 

On 9/22/2025 at 12:26 AM, theguru said:

Womp-womppppp....I think Glicod has opted to cover a different game instead of Central/Cov Cath.

 

13 minutes ago, Tigerpride94 said:

 

The Louisville schools will go 1-3 vs these out of town teams. CAL being the only Louisville winner. 

Whenever I have gone to games at Central, I get there early and park on 15th street next to stadium. They have a small parking lot so not much parking. 

15 minutes ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Whenever I have gone to games at Central, I get there early and park on 15th street next to stadium. They have a small parking lot so not much parking. 

Not going to the game but thought it was worth saying that I truly appreciate this post. Neither team being your primary team but posting just to help out-of-towners. Genuine kindness. Thanks.

First time visitors to Central will need to be sure to enjoy the band and cheerleaders/dance team for the Yellowjackets.  It’s a good time and with the price of admission.

20 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Whenever I have gone to games at Central, I get there early and park on 15th street next to stadium. They have a small parking lot so not much parking. 

 

I really enjoy going to games at Central.  There are a couple of churches that have paid parking and do a great job of keeping an eye on your vehicle.  They are super hospitable and very nice people.  Love the history of the place and the atmosphere.  Since they're not having one of their best years, I would think their crowd will be smaller and not as raucous.  But it's still a great place to visit.  Plus, if they are frying fish down in the back of one of the endzone's I would partake.  

I think junior WR Mac Cogswell has scored a 60+ yard touchdown the last 3 times he’s touched the ball, ideally he’s starting to get featured a little more on offense moving forward. He’s a pretty good high school receiver.