18 minutes ago, theguru said:

At least in a BGP context here, I don't think many realize how good JC is this year.  

This. The poll is 77-25 CCH.

I am guardedly optimistic.

2 minutes ago, Runcible Owl said:

This. The poll is 77-25 CCH.

I am guardedly optimistic.

Last year the poll ended 63-11 CCH if that means anything to anyone. 

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

Refresh my memory on last year's playoff game between these two. I see JC racked up 293 yards on the ground but only scored 13 points. Turnovers? Red zone failure?

I went back and looked through my play by play from last year and I'm not sure where the stats are coming from, honestly, unless maybe they're weren't subtracting penalty yardage from total yardage? Cov Cath's stats show Johnson Central with 293 total offensive yards in the game and Johnson Central's stats show them with 317 total yards (293 rushing) in the game but according to my play by play from the game Jonson Central would have had 211 total yards in the game. Aside from the four touchdown drives, neither team had much luck making it too far beyond midfield last year.

Offensive Yards By Quarter:
CC  13 • 49 • 65 • 15 ► 142 total yards
JC  67 • 75 • 41 • 28 ► 211 total yards

1st Quarter Offensive Drives
CC Drive One - 4 yards gained. Drive ended with punt.
KC Drive One - 65 yards gained. Touchdown. PAT is good.
CC Drive Two - 9 yards gained. Turnover on downs.
JC Drive Two - 2 yards gained. End of 1Q.

2nd Quarter Offensive Drives
JC Drive Two - 43 yards gained. Touchdown. PAT is blocked.
CC Drive Three - 2 yards gained. Drive ended with punt.
JC Drive Three - 14 yards gained. Drive ended with punt.
CC Drive Four - 47 yards gained. Touchdown. PAT is good.
JC Drive Five - 18 yards gained. End of 2Q.

3rd Quarter Offensive Drives
JC Drive Six - 14 yards gained. Ended with interception.
CC Drive Six - 7 yards gained. Ended with turnover on fumble.
JC Drive Seven - 20 yards gained. Turnover on downs.
CC Drive Seven - 58 yards gained. Touchdown. PAT is good.
JC Drive Eight - 7 yards gained. End of 3Q.

4th Quarter Offensive Drives
JC Drive Eight - 2 yards gained. Drive ended with punt.
CC Drive Eight - 5 yards gained. Drive ended with punt.
JC Drive Nine - 26 yards gained. Turnover on downs.
CC Drive Nine - 10 yards gained. Ended with Victory Formation.

This game belongs to the Colonels. They have too many weapons and are well coached. Tough sledding navigating the upcoming gauntlet but I see them winning by 2 scores.

This game has classic "trench warfare" stamped on it. Brute force, nimble feet, offensive linemen picking off defenders 15 yards downfield, and everything in between. 

JC is, per usual, big on the o-line, but also very mobile this year and covers a lot of ground. The collective "get off" and ability to get to the second level is impressive. 

How CovCath's o-line handles JC in the box is equally vital to the outcome. The Golden Eagles are very good there, as well, but the Colonels look well suited to handle that business. CovCath is in shape and just as light on their feet, perhaps even more so. 

The Colonels will surely try to establish some Harney/Gaiser two man give-and-go. That would open up passing lanes, and if JC has been vulnerable anywhere over the years, it's been the back end of the defense. 

I think Harney gets loose enough with his legs to earn a few good looks downfield with his arm. 

Despite one team calling it a season after Friday, I expect both teams to come out of this looking better than they already do. When one hits, the other hits back.

I think CovCath sneaks in one or two more shots than JC and wins by 7-10 points.

On 11/9/2025 at 9:06 AM, DaTruth said:

I don't know who to pick in this one but it is the biggest 2nd round match this year and probably biggest 2nd round match up in years...is this game being streamed anywhere?

 

5 hours ago, theguru said:

At least in a BGP context here, I don't think many realize how good JC is this year.  

Hopefully there is a stream of this game, anyone?

Looks like Johnson Central will be streaming it on the NFHS Network.

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/johnson-central-high-school-paintsville-ky/gam61cf7db792

I think this is a good matchup for JC. CC has a more grind it out running game, which plays to JCs strength. I think JC stops the run well enough to force CC to beat them through the air, which they're capable of doing, but, not as likely as them running about 80% of the time and dominating the trenches. I also think JC's OL is strong and athletic enough to effectively move the chains against the CC D. If they can come away with TDs in those drives and not turnover or fg attempts, they should be right in the game. I'm going to say JC 27 CC 24

Please win Covington Catholic, I want to see that rematch the following week. Covington Catholic at Boyle County! 

6 hours ago, Statsdontlie said:

Please win Covington Catholic, I want to see that rematch the following week. Covington Catholic at Boyle County! 

Aside from the CCH vs Fredrick Douglas State Championship game, last year's CCH vs Boyle was one of the most intense games I had been to.  Hope to see a rematch this year.  

I’ll take the Blue Colonels 42-28. 

Just heard Covington Catholic is bringing a bus or 2 of the Colonel Crazies down for the game, letting them out of school early.  Go Colonels!!

6 minutes ago, RedHawk said:

Just heard Covington Catholic is bringing a bus or 2 of the Colonel Crazies down for the game, letting them out of school early.  Go Colonels!!

CovCath will need all they help they can get. 

14 hours ago, jeff jackson said:

I think this is a good matchup for JC. CC has a more grind it out running game, which plays to JCs strength. I think JC stops the run well enough to force CC to beat them through the air, which they're capable of doing, but, not as likely as them running about 80% of the time and dominating the trenches. I also think JC's OL is strong and athletic enough to effectively move the chains against the CC D. If they can come away with TDs in those drives and not turnover or fg attempts, they should be right in the game. I'm going to say JC 27 CC 24

I guarantee that Johnson Central is not ready for Cash Harney. You can’t simulate him in practice. The Eagle defense isn’t ready to handle him, trust me. 

18 minutes ago, theguru said:

CovCath will need all they help they can get. 

Sounds like maybe you are leaning towards going with Johnson Central, I see you haven’t voted in the poll yet.  Still thinking about it???

Just now, FrankNicodemus said:

Sounds like maybe you are leaning towards going with Johnson Central, I see you haven’t voted in the poll yet.  Still thinking about it???

Yes, still thinking about it.  Have been all week and I don't have a strong feeling either way.