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Conners second game at the Bruin Classic ends in a tie. Ballard gets on the score board first as a shot from about 25 yards out finds the back of the net. Jeremy Alig pulls Conner even off a direct kick. At this point the game went back and forth, but towards the end of the 1st half Conner is awarded another direct kick and Ayden Terry is able to convert as the Ballard goalie couldn't handle the shot. Conner takes a 2-1 lead into half. 2nd half Coach Walker of Conner started to sub which allowed Ballard to find a gap in the defensive third and pull even with the Cougars. Game went back and forth again with Conner having a few good chances to pull ahead but couldn't convert. Jeremy Alig with a great weekend in Elizabethtown as he scored 4 of Conner's 6 goals.

Conner makes the trip to Elizabethtown to take on Elizabethtown High School @ the Bruin Classic. Jeremy Alig starts the scoring by getting the ball past the keeper to find the back of the net. Elizabethtown then ties it up off a header from the corner. Shortly after Grady Noble is able to chip the ball over the keeper to give Conner a 2-1 lead that they took into the half. 2nd half Conner comes out quickly and Jeremy Alig finds the back of the net again to extend the lead to 3-1. A few minutes later Alig again finds the back of the net to secure his first career hat-trick and extend the lead to 4-1. Conner holds the second half and finish the game holding Elizabethtown to 1 goal.

Per the Riherds Scoreboard. I had predicted a 1-0 win for Dixie but it looks like Bluebirds take care of business and get the win.

The battle for the 2nd seed in the 33rd district took place in Union. Conner entered the game losing to Ryle 5-2 and Cooper hung tough with Ryle losing 2-1. Cooper got on the scoreboard 1st as the Cougar defense had a foul in the box. The Jaguars take a 1-0 lead into the half off the PK (Pemberton). 2nd half Conner finds the back of the net as the Cooper keeper deflects a shot but fails to control it and the ball goes into the air where an attacking Cougar I(Owen Swaney) is able to head in the back of the net to draw even with the Jaguars 1-1. A little later, Conner would be on the attack again and Grady Noble is able to get past two Jaguar defenders and takes a shot that gets past the keeper into the side of the net to give Conner the 2-1 lead. There were a number of cards given this game, the Cooper coach receives 2 yellow cards which of course equals 1 red card and is asked to leave the field. Conner is able to hold on for the win and secure the #2 seed and will play Cooper again in Hebron on 10/1 in the night cap game.

Big 33rd District seeding game. Ryle gets an early goal and holds on to the lead going into half time. Cooper battled really hard and made Ryle work for everything. Cooper draws a foul in the box and convert to draw even with Ryle. With about 4 minutes left in the 2nd half, Ryle gets a free kick and lift it towards the box where it meets the head of an attacking Raider to extend the lead to 2-1. Cooper had a chance at the end but couldn’t convert. Ryle plays Boone on Thursday and Cooper host Conner to see who gets to wear the home jersey on 10/3/23.

How are we already to week 7? District games will be occurring in the 33rd and 35th, one of them will be a game to watch, maybe 2 of them. Tuesday (9/19/23) Newport Central Catholic @ Dixie Heights - NCC makes the trip to Dixie coming off a 2 wins last week vs their district foe Highlands and Diocese foe Bishop Brossart. Dixie is having a good season and have beat the teams they should except in my opinion Simon Kenton. I think NCC gets a 2-1 win. Ryle @ Cooper - Big Brother vs Little Brother. Cooper will be looking to knock off the bully of the district and maybe secure a first-round game vs Boone County who they just beat 2-1 last week. Ryle has now scored 39 goals while giving up 5. This game went to a PK shootout last year with Ryle coming away with the top seed in the 33rd. Will Cooper park the bus and hope they can get a PK shootout win this year...good chance I'll be keeping an eye on this one. Other games of note for Tuesday: Walton-Verona @ Beechwood Scott @ Boone County St. Henry @ Grant County Covington Latin @ Villa Madonna Pendleton County @ Simon Kenton Thursday (9/21/23) Conner @ Cooper - More than likely (unless Cooper pulls off the unexpected win vs Ryle) this will be the jersey color game. What does the mean? Whoever wins will be the home team in the 33rd District semi game at Conner on 10/3. This is a very evenly matched game in my opinion. Looking at the record verses common opponents, it's even. There will be no love lost in this game as both teams just don't like each other. Cooper has a stingy defense and a dangerous striker in Maddox Pemberton who has 6 goals on the season. The Cougars have shown moments of promise and offense that has scored 23 goals in 13 games with 9 different players scoring them. Of course, I'm picking the Cougars to win, 2-1. Dixie Heights @ Highlands - Possible 1st round 9th Region preview. Dixie has been solid all year, Highlands is 14-0-2 vs the Colonels since 2001. Could this be the year the Colonels get the win verses the Blue Birds and stop by a local pastry shop on the way home to grab a piece of cake? I think I like Dixie to get a 1-0 win over the Blue Birds this year. Other games of note for Thursday: Pendleton County vs Bishop Brossart Simon Kenton @ Covington Catholic Beechwood @ Holmes (35th District Game) Boone County @ Ryle (33rd District Game) Holy Cross (Covington) @ Scott Calvary Christian @ Walton-Verona Friday (9/22/23) & Saturday (9/23/23) Conner and Ryle both are playing in the Bruin Classic in E-Town this weekend. Ryle starts off Friday: Ryle vs Madisonville-North Hopkins Conner vs Elizabethtown Conner vs Ballard Ryle vs Central Harding Newport Central Catholic vs Murray (All "A" State Tournament) Holy Cross (Covington) @ Beechwood (35th District Game) Bishop Brossart @ Boone County Cooper @ Grant County

Ryle continues to lay claim to the top spot by extending their winning streak this past week vs NKY teams. Highlands continues to struggle as they have now lost 3 in a row to NKY competition. Bishop Brossart with a loss/win/loss week. Cov Cath quietly is securing their spot as the #2 team in Region 9 as they seem to be the only team that was able to limit Ryle's attack by giving up a PK a few weeks ago. Here are the results to date for NKY teams...I've a point total to at the bottom. My NKY Top 10 1. Ryle 2. Covington Catholic 3. Newport Central Catholic 4. Dixie 5. Conner 6. Highlands 7. Cooper 8. Campell County 9. Bishop Brossart 10. Simon Kenton My opinion teams 3-10 can beat each other on any given day. I moved NCC up due to them beating Highlands and Bishop Brossart this past week, but even they lost to my #7 team Campbell County this past week.

I don’t have any details, got the score off Riherds/KHSAA scoreboard. Highlands has lost 3 in a row to NKY teams (I know they won on Saturday vs Roger Bacon, OH).

Per Riherds/KHSAA scoreboard.

Well...the first 20 minutes I felt really good about Conner having a chance, then the ref's got involved and called a foul in the box for a PK, Line steps up and converts. With 45 seconds left in the half Line gets a shot from about 20 yards out and converts to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead. 2nd half the Cougars are in the attack and a hand ball is called against Ryle in the box. Thornton for Conner coverts to give Conner their 1st goal and pull the Cougars within 1. Then the flood gates open, another penalty is called, and Line converts for the hat-trick. 3-1 Ryle, 3 minutes later Denigan gets a deflected ball off the Cougar defense and scores from 12 yards out, 4-1 Ryle. 2 minutes later Ryle attacks down the right side and get another goal to go up 5-1. At this point Conner seemed a little defeated (no pun intended) but kept playing hard. With 6:37 left in the game another hand ball in the box is called and Thornton for Conner converts again for his second goal and Ryle holds on for the 5-2 win. Ryle is legit, their offense is the best in NKY. I've seen all the top teams, and they are best in my opinion. I think the 9th is Ryles to lose this year, I don't see anyone beating them in the region. Next year...could be anyone's to take with I believe a parity of teams after Ryle loses their senior group from this year.

I would like to see a winner for each game. I would play one 10-minute OT then go straight to a PK shootout. I don't like ties...just seems like a game was uneventful.

Conner gets the win vs Cooper and holds 33rd District opponents scoreless in their games to claim the top seed.

I was surprised that Campbell beat Brossart. I wonder if Smith played? Having seen both Highlands and NCC firsthand, grass field, rain...this one doesn't surprise me as much. Big win for NCC though, with losses to both Conner and Cooper this is a good win for the Thoroughbreds in preparation for their matchup with Bishop Brossart this week. Now if a certain team from Hebron can just somehow beat that other team from Union it could be a really interesting week.

Conner goes into Latonia and get the win vs Holy Cross. Conner had a chance early off a corner that goes over the goal. A few minutes later Holy Cross is on the attack, Conner clears the ball but the defense fails to pull up quickly and the ball is played back quickly and Holy Cross takes a 1-0 lead. Conner counters with a shot from just outside the box for a goal. Conner continues to control the ball and get another shot to find the back of the net. Conner gets another opportunity from the right side as the Cougar attacker drives to the end line, crosses in front of the goal and is finished by the attacking Cougar player. Holy Cross gets another off a ball that bounces around the middle of their attacking third and the Holy Cross player breaks through to get the goal. Conner takes a 3-2 lead at the half. 2nd half Conner gets a PK and convert. Conner controlled the second half as Holy Cross only had 1-2 really threatening attacks. Coach Walker started to sub freely about half way through the half, I’m assuming trying to save players from injury and fatigue in preparation for Thursdays 33rd District match vs Ryle.

I missed that one...but I agree with you, that should be a good one.

The season seems to be quickly passing by. As week 6 gets ready to start here are some games to watch in Northern Kentucky this week. Thursday has some big matchups. Tuesday (9/12/23) Highlands @ Newport Central Catholic - 36th District game of the only two teams in the district. Highlands has won 14 in a row and will be looking to continue this streak. Newport Central Catholic has one of the best win/loss records in NKY at 8-2-0. This will be played at Morscher Park and will be played on grass. Will the home field advantage be enough for the Thoroughbreds to ground the Bluebirds this year? Thursday (9/14/23) Ryle @ Conner - The toughest district (33rd) in NKY has a seeding game. Ryle is rolling through NKY competition. Conner has won 6 in a row and has conceded 8 goals on the year. Ryle has scored 29 goals and conceded 2 verses NKY teams. This game can't end in a tie...will Ryle extend their 5-game win streak vs Conner or will the defense for Conner hold tight and the offense of Conner find a way to get a winning goal vs the Raiders. I'll be rooting for the Cougars! Bishop Brossart @ Highlands - The Mustangs from the 10th Region visit Tower Park to take on the Bluebirds of the 9th Region. Highlands has won the last 4-matches, outscoring the Mustangs by 12 goals over this span. Bishop Brossart will be looking for a signature win, but Highlands will be looking to keep their win streak going. Covington Catholic @ Dixie Heights - The Battle of Dixie Highway, Red Colonel vs Blue Colonel, whatever other name we want to give this matchup insert it in the comments. Looking at the history of the matches between these teams over the 22 years...Cov Cath is 25-2 (this actually surprised me). Cov Cath beat Dixie Heights last year in the 9th Region tournament. Dixie had their team that was built to beat the Blue Colonels but fell 2-1. Will playing at home be enough to get the Red Colonels over the Blue Colonels? Saturday (9/16/23) Newport Central Catholic @ Bishop Brossart (9th/10th Region All "A" Classic) - Good match up of very evenly matched teams in my opinion. I can see this one coming down to a PK shoot-out. Other games of note for week 6: Tuesday (8/12/23) Bishop Brossart @ Campbell County (37th District Match) Beechwood @ Dixie Heights Holmes @ Grant County Conner @ Holy Cross (Covington) Ryle @ Simon Kenton Boone County @ Villa Madonna Thursday (8/14/23) Cooper @ Boone County (33rd District Match) Simon Kenton @ Campbell County Beechwood @ Scott St. Henry @ Villa Madonna Saturday (9/16/23) Carroll County @ Beechwood Elder (OH) @ Conner Ballard @ Highlands Bourbon County @ Holy Cross (Covington) Sayre @ Villa Madonna Scott @ Walton Verona

Ryle continues to lay claim to best team in Northern Kentucky by staying unbeaten against NKY teams. Highlands goes 0-1-1, Dixie Heights took a surprising loss to Simon Kenton and then Simon Kenton turns around and loses to Scott. Here are the rest of the results from Northern Kentucky this past week. My NKY Top 10 1. Ryle 2. Covington Catholic 3. Highlands 4. Bishop Brossart 5. Conner 6. Dixie Heights 7. Cooper 8. Newport Central Catholic 9. Campbell County 10. Simon Kenton

Looks like Ryle wanted to squash any talk of the Bluebirds being a threat. If anyone attended, a game summary would be appreciated.

Conner gets the coveted district win verses Boone County. It took a little bit but Conner gets goals in the first half from Noble and Alig. Late in the first half Boone gets a goal from Pajazetovic to cut the margin to 1 goal going into half time. Second half saw Alig getting n the box and drawing the foul and Brayden Thornton gets the goal on the PK. A little later Alig and Walker make some nice connections and Walker scores the 4th goal. I had predetermined that a 5-0 win would be nice for the Cougars, but I’ll take the 4-1 win and hope the win steak continues on Tuesday as the Cougars make the trip to Latonia to play Holy Cross and then have another district battle at home verses Ryle on Thursday(hint, this will be a game to watch next week).

NKY Coaches poll from NKHSBSCA Twitter page.

Always stick with your gut….I originally had this as one of my games of the week but took it off last minute. I’m not surprised at this as Simon Kenton seems to be a different team when playing in Independence. Dixie is now 4-5-1 for the season and look to rebound against winless St Henry on Thursday.

This one surprised me. Cooper playing at home, Holy Cross just gave up 10 goals vs Ryle and the score ends up being 1-0 Cooper. Would love to hear more about this game.

I expected Cov Cath to get a 1-0 win at home but Highlands goes into Park Hills and come out with a 1-1 draw. Would love to hear more about this game.

I was close….just didn’t expect the tie. Having seen both teams I think Cov Cath has the better defense, just my opinion.

Conner did what they needed to do on Senior night and win their 5th in a row. The first half saw the Cougars miss a couple of good chances to take a lead into halftime, but the score was 0-0 going into half. Conner comes out and control the ball working it down the left side of the field and around a minute and a half in, get the 1-0 lead. The goal was scored by Liam Windsor the senior midfielder. Conner had multiple chances again to get goals but either went high or wide. A ball is played through to Grady Noble who draws a foul in the box, Jeremy Alig is called upon to take the PK and the Beechwood keeper guesses right and stops the opportunity for Conner to take a 2-0 lead. Beechwood makes a final push in the last 2 minutes and with 10 seconds left Conner is called for an infraction just outside the box on the right side. The announcer is counting down and a Conner player approaches the kicker and stops the clock with 5.2 seconds left, receives yellow card and Beechwood proceeds to take the direct kick with no success and the Cougar seniors get a win on their special night. Could've, should've, would've don't score goals, but Conner could've had 4-5 goals on the night and should've had more than 1, but just struggled finding the back of the net.