Stepping into Week 9 with a 1-6 record on the season and an 0-2 record in district play isn't an enviable spot for any coach. It's been an uphill battle for Harrison County alum Van Isaac since he took over the helm of the Thorobreds program heading into the 2024 season. During his tenure the team has only seen 3 wins while dropping 15 games. Harrison County's offense has managed to put up an average 210 yards and 16 points per game, but they've struggled to get their passing game really going, with an average 65 yards per game by air. They've only exceeded 100 yards passing once this season, in their 28-7 win over 2A Walton-Verona. On the ground they've averaged 145 yards per game rushing this season thanks primarily to junior RB Karsyn Sumter, who's rushed 87 times for 561 yards (6.4 ypc) and 6 touchdowns. The Thorobreds' biggest struggle has come on the defensive side of the ball, allowing an average 305 yards and 38 points per game. At the end of the day, when your team is averaging 210 yards and 16 points per game and your opponents are averaging 305 yards and 38 points per game, the math is going to basically tell the story of the season.

Cov Cath is heading into Week 9 with eight-straight weeks of games behind them and a 5-3 record to show for it. They're coming off a big 17-10 win at home on Friday against Indiana 5A Cathedral High School, who came into the game ranked 8th in the state by MaxPreps and 3rd in the state by HSFA. The win on Friday was one of the most balanced run/pass offensive efforts of the season for the Colonels, with 191 yards and 1 touchdown rushing, and 164 yards and 1 touchdown passing in the game. Senior QB Cash Harney notched his fourth 100 yard rushing game of the season, with 118 yards on 19 carries, while also going 13-21 passing (61.9%) for 164 yards and 1 touchdown. Cov Cath's defense was able to hold the Irish offense to 30 yards fewer than their season average in the win, but it was the Colonels' offensive effort against a defense featuring no less than 19 players with college offers that sealed the win for Cov Cath.

Senior RB/DB Dylan Gaiser had a strong offensive performance in the game with just shy of 100 all-purpose yards and 1 touchdown, and junior TE/RB/LB Owen Pitzer also came in clutch, as he often does, with 52 yards receiving including a 29 yard streak down the middle of the field to catch a touchdown pass from Harney. Senior receiver Logan Sanning also had one of the most unsung performances of the game with his 6 catches for 57 yards, most of which made for a new sets of downs in 3rd-and-long situations. On defense, Charlie Reeves, Jonny Lind, Brady Guard, and Spencer Clukey made life hard for the Irish in the trenches, while freshman DB Brandon Smith and senior DB Zach Brooks also had strong performances in the game.

Both teams are currently o-fer in district play. Harrison County fell in their first two district games, losing 53-0 to Highlands on Sep 26 and losing 35-7 to Mason County on Friday, and Cov Cath lost their first district effort in a 31-28 defeat by Highlands on Oct 3.

What are your predictions for Senior Night in Park Hills on Friday? Kickoff is currently set for 7:00pm.

Series Record:
1971 Cov Cath (Tassini) beat Harrison County (McKee) 14-12
1972 Harrison County (Vest) beat Cov Cath (Tassini) 9-2
1973 Harrison County (Vest) beat Cov Cath (Bernier) 20-14
1974 Cov Cath (Bernier) beat Harrison County (Vest) 30-13
1999* Harrison County (Graham) beat Cov Cath (Ray) 21-16
2001* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Harrison County (Graham) 44-22
2002* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Harrison County (Graham) 54-6
2004* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Harrison County (Graham) 39-13
2005* Cov Cath (Rodenberg) beat Harrison County (Graham) 17-14
2011 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carroll) 56-7
2012 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carr) 61-0
2013 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carr) 42-6
2014 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carr) 56-0
2023 Cov Cath (Eviston) beat Harrison County (Graham) 56-6
2024 Cov Cath (Eviston) beat Harrison County (Isaac) 56-6

* Playoffs

Just now, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Series Record:
1971 Cov Cath (Tassini) beat Harrison County (McKee) 14-12
1972 Harrison County (Vest) beat Cov Cath (Tassini) 9-2
1973 Harrison County (Vest) beat Cov Cath (Bernier) 20-14
1974 Cov Cath (Bernier) beat Harrison County (Vest) 30-13
1999* Harrison County (Graham) beat Cov Cath (Ray) 21-16
2001* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Harrison County (Graham) 44-22
2002* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Harrison County (Graham) 54-6
2004* Cov Cath (Ray) beat Harrison County (Graham) 39-13
2005* Cov Cath (Rodenberg) beat Harrison County (Graham) 17-14
2011 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carroll) 56-7
2012 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carr) 61-0
2013 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carr) 42-6
2014 Cov Cath (Wirth) beat Harrison County (Carr) 56-0
2023 Cov Cath (Eviston) beat Harrison County (Graham) 56-6
2024 Cov Cath (Eviston) beat Harrison County (Isaac) 56-6

* Playoffs

Cov Cath currently leads the series 12 wins to 3, with Harrison County's last win coming back on Nov 5, 1999 in the opening round of the 3A playoffs.

The Colonels have put up 56 points on the Thorobreds on four separate occasions ('11, '14, '23, '24) including a pair of 56-6 wins in the last two games against Harrison County.

Harrison County
Total Wins: 3
Playoff Wins: 1
Shutouts: 0
Total Points Scored: 155
Average Score: 10.33
Average Margin of Victory: 6.00

Covington Catholic
Total Wins: 12
Playoff Wins: 4
Shutouts: 2
Total Points Scored: 557
Average Score: 37.13
Average Margin of Victory: 35.00
 

From Cov Cath Football Alumni on social media:

It's gameday, baby!! All You Colonels...come support the team on Senior Night in Park Hills as we take on Harrison County!

#RollColonels #WASTWND #Team59

? Covington Catholic vs. Harrison County
? Art's Rental Field at Dennis Griffin Stadium
? 7:00pm Kickoff
? colonel-athletic-network.mixlr.com/
? covcath.org/athletics/tickets-and-broadcasting.cfm

I'm gonna be missing the game this evening, unfortunately. It slipped my mind earlier in the week, but I'm heading out of town in a couple of hours and won't be back until late on Sunday. I'm pretty doubtful that I'll even be able to check in on the broadcast tonight.

5 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

I'm gonna be missing the game this evening, unfortunately. It slipped my mind earlier in the week, but I'm heading out of town in a couple of hours and won't be back until late on Sunday. I'm pretty doubtful that I'll even be able to check in on the broadcast tonight.

You won’t miss much. ?‍♂️⏰early and often. 

5 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

I'm gonna be missing the game this evening, unfortunately. It slipped my mind earlier in the week, but I'm heading out of town in a couple of hours and won't be back until late on Sunday. I'm pretty doubtful that I'll even be able to check in on the broadcast tonight.

Reads like Weekend Jail. ?‍♂️

6 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

I'm gonna be missing the game this evening, unfortunately. It slipped my mind earlier in the week, but I'm heading out of town in a couple of hours and won't be back until late on Sunday. I'm pretty doubtful that I'll even be able to check in on the broadcast tonight.

I should be able to provide periodic updates. Not CWB quality though, the bar here is high . . .

2 minutes ago, Runcible Owl said:

I should be able to provide periodic updates. Not CWB quality, the bar here is high . . .

CWB coverage territory is rarefied air...  

Thanks RO, all of us on BGP greatly appreciate everything you do. 

Colonels to recieve opening kick.

Cogswell runs it back for a TD.

Gaiser TD reception from Harney. Zembrodt PAT. 

14-0 Cov Cath, 10:02 Q1.

Kickoff return and two plays from scrimmage I think for the Colonels.

Beautiful night for football in Park Hills! 

Big gain by Gaiser to the HC 26. 1/10, 8:35 Q1.

Harney pass intercepted by Custard.

1/10 HC at their 12. 829 Q1.

HC punt rolls to their 46.

Colonels 1/10.

14-0 Cov Cath.