On Friday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m., Clermont Northeastern (OH) (0-2) travels across the Ohio River to play Covington Holy Cross (2-0) at Thomas More University.  Last season, Holy Cross won 45-15 in Ohio. How does this game go? Start the discussion.

It is hard to imagine Holy Cross not getting another win here.

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TurboStats GameCast for Football: Holy Cross Indians_vs_Clermont Northeastern Rockets

The Covington Holy Cross Indians score in each of the first three quarters and holds on to beat the Clermont Northeastern Rockets 21-8 on a very hot night at Thomas More University.

Next Friday night, Covington Holy Cross (3-0) travels to take on their neighbor, Covington Holmes (2-0 at the time of this post). Holmes was playing at Green County tonight.

HOLY CROSS GRINDS OUT 21-8 WIN OVER CLERMONT NORTHEASTERN IN SWELTERING HEAT AT THOMAS MORE

Holy Cross stayed unbeaten on September 4th, outlasting Clermont Northeastern 21-8 in a game defined by heat, physicality, and long stretches of defensive control. Neither team ever truly found rhythm in the oppressive conditions, but the Indians' ability to convert short fields and finish drives proved decisive.

A CHAOTIC START, THEN HOLY CROSS SETTLES IN

The opening sequence was anything but clean. After a solid Xavier Thornberry kick return to the 30, Holy Cross immediately put the ball on the turf with a RB Charles Oglesby lost fumble giving Clermont Northeastern a golden opportunity at the Indians' 30. But the Rockets couldn't capitalize. Their four-play series went backward, including an Isaiah Brunner loss of 7 yards, and Holy Cross took over on downs.

That defensive stand steadied the Indians, and from there the offense began leaning on its identity: power runs, quarterback keepers, and timely conversions.

OGLEBY OPENS THE SCORING

Holy Cross' first touchdown came late in the first quarter, capping a methodical drive built on runs by Oglesby, Dustin Wilson, and quarterback Brian Ferguson. After a nice 23 yard run by Jacob Rieselman, the scoring play was straightforward and physical with Oglesby rushing from 6 yards.

Gabriel Romito's PAT made it 7-0.

FERGUSON TO HUNT MAKES IT 14-0

The second quarter opened with Holy Cross again working on a short field. Ferguson found Max Hunt on a crisp 12-yard TD strike extending the lead to 13-0 before Romito added another clean extra point.

The Indians' defense continued to dominate this stretch. Clermont Northeastern quarterback Leam King completed passes underneath, but Holy Cross consistently tackled in space and forced long-yardage situations. Penalties hurt both teams, but the Rockets' inability to sustain drives kept momentum firmly on the home sideline.

WILSON PUNCHES IN A THIRD SCORE

Midway through the third quarter, Holy Cross again marched inside the 5. Wilson finished the drive with a 1-yard plunge pushing the margin to 21-0 after Romito's third PAT.

At this point, the Indians had scored on three of their first five meaningful possessions, while Clermont Northeastern had yet to find the end zone.

ROCKETS FINALLY BREAK THROUGH

Clermont Northeastern's lone touchdown came early in the fourth quarter, powered by their most effective player of the night: Isaiah Brunner. Though bottled up at times, Brunner still produced 94 rushing yards on 16 carries. The score, however, came from Tyler Watkins, who muscled in from a yard out then added a two-point conversion to make it 21-8.

The Rockets' defense stiffened late, but Holy Cross' earlier efficiency had already built a cushion.

STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

Holy Cross Indians

• Rushing: 33 carries, 172 yards (5.2 avg). Oglesby, Wilson, Ferguson, and Jacob Rieselman all contributed, highlighted by Rieselman's 23-yard burst to the 6.

• Passing: Ferguson finished 6 of 11 for 57 yards, including the Hunt touchdown.

• Defense: Forced a turnover, allowed just 95 rushing yards, and repeatedly won short-yardage downs.

• Special Teams: Romito perfect on PATs; Hunt averaged 36.5 yards per punt.

Clermont Northeastern Rockets

• Isaiah Brunner: 94 rushing yards, consistently the Rockets' best weapon.

• Passing: King went 11 of 20 for 91 yards but threw an interception and was sacked once.

• Defense: Logged 11 penalties for 76 yards, undermining several stops.

• Special Teams: Waldman punted twice for a 32.5-yard average; Watkins added 61 kick-return yards.

THE VERDICT

This wasn't Holy Cross' cleanest performance - two lost fumbles, stalled drives, and penalties kept the game from becoming a blowout - but the Indians controlled the line of scrimmage, managed the heat better, and executed in the red zone. Clermont Northeastern showed grit, especially in the fourth quarter, but the early missed opportunity after the fumble and the inability to slow Holy Cross' ground game proved costly.

Holy Cross moves to 3-0, continuing a season defined by physicality and resilience. Clermont Northeastern, despite the loss, demonstrated toughness and a workhorse back capable of keeping them competitive.