Week 10 points to the most important week of the season to date.
Sure, some have already taken care of business and clinched their district titles (looking at you Beechwood, Newport Central Catholic and Highlands), but Friday sets up to be one important night of football as multiple district championships, home playoff games and postseason berths will be on the line.
Starting in the Class 6A, 6th District, Simon Kenton will play at Ryle to determine the district champ. Both survived on the last play of the game to top Campbell County the past couple of weeks and handled Great Crossing to get to this point. Campbell County hosts Great Crossing to determine the No. 3 seed for the postseason.
In the Class 5A, 6th District, Highlands has clinched the district title and will be the No. 1 seed. Cooper hosts Dixie Heights to determine the No. 2 seed and who gets a home playoff game. Conner clinches a playoff berth with a win over Boone County, if the Rebels can win over the Cougars, it would mean a three-way tie for the final postseason berth with the two mentioned and Scott. If RPI is the determining factor, Conner is way ahead in that regard.
For the Class 4A, 5th District, Covington Catholic travels to Maysville to take on Mason County for the district championship. Holmes can keep an outside chance of a postseason berth with a win over Harrison County on Friday. If they were to win, they’d be in a three-way tie with the Thorobreds and Grant County, but the RPI has them on the outside looking in as they’re well below the other two.
Moving down to the Class 3A, 5th District, Lloyd Memorial clinches a home playoff game and the No. 2 seed with a win at home against Bourbon County.
Beechwood has clinched the Class 2A, 5th District title while Walton-Verona is playing for a shot at a postseason berth against Owen County. If the Bearcats win and Beechwood beats Bracken County, it puts three teams at 2-3 in district play with Walton-Verona, Bracken County and Owen County. Two of those three would get a postseason berth, with RPI being the most likely determining factor since they’ve all beat each other. If the playoffs started today, Walton-Verona would be the odd team out, but a win over Owen County and Boone County in the final week would boost their chances to leap frog either team. But first, they have to win Friday.
As for class 1A, in the 3rd District, NewCath has clinched the district title while Newport and Dayton will battle for a home playoff game and the No. 2 seed on Friday at O.W. Davis Field. Bellevue is locked in as the No. 4 seed.
In the 1A, 4th District, Ludlow can clinch their first district championship since 1975 with a victory over Holy Cross. If Holy Cross defeats Ludlow, then there’s the potential of a three-way tie if Bishop Brossart defeats Trimble County. Holy Cross currently has the highest RPI out of the three, so a win on Friday would really boost their chances. If Ludlow and Bishop Brossart win, the Panthers are the district champ with Brossart earning the No. 2 seed and a home playoff game.
Got it? Good.
This week’s shout out goes to Ludlow. Sometimes turning over a new leaf is a good thing. The Panthers turned over a new turf field, actually, and are rewarding the community with a shot at a district title on Friday, which would be their first since 1975 if they were to do so. They can clinch on their new red digs on Friday against Holy Cross. The Panthers got off to a 1-3 start, but have won four in a row since. During their four-game winning streak, they’ve outscored the opponent 178-39.
Here goes…
- Covington Catholic (8-0, Previous Week: 1) — The Colonels are getting healthy at the right time. Now they travel to Mason County for a district championship and a No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Evan Pitzer was a perfect 8-for-8 in the win over Harrison County for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Willie Rodriguez returned after missing the last two games and caught two touchdown passes and recorded a sack and Owen Leen also returned after a two-game absence with two rushing touchdowns.
2. Highlands (8-1, Previous Week: 2) — The Bluebirds clinched a district title in Friday’s victory over Conner and now face Scott with a bye week on tap to close out the regular season. With South Warren’s loss to Bowling Green last week, will Highlands be the new No. 1 in the latest 5A poll? Stay tuned come Wednesday.
3. Beechwood (8-1, Previous Week: 3) — Beechwood has to be bored at this point. They’ve now outscored district opponents 232-3 in four games with one more still to go. The question begs now is when will they be tested? They get Bracken County on Friday, a bye week and then they’ll be looking at hosting their first three playoff games as long as they keep winning. September 15 was the last time a game didn’t involve a running clock, it could be past November 15 by the time they see another one like that. Clay Hayden is now 362 yards shy of 3,000 passing yards on the season. That’s inevitable, 4,000 well within reach too with a deep postseason run.
4. Simon Kenton (5-2, Previous Week: 5) — Tied at 21 and not having the ball with under a minute left, the Pioneers somehow pulled out a victory in regulation with a 38-yard Hail Mary from Brady Lee to Nathan Kitchens. The win puts them in a scenario where they’ll face Ryle for the district title in Union on Friday. The defense started off shaky, but didn’t allow a point in the second half on Friday night against the Camels. The run game continued to plow over teams as Durrell Turner is now over 1,000 yards on the season in just 140 carries, averaging 8.2 yards per carry.
5. Ryle (4-4, Previous Week: 6) — One for all the marbles on Friday night when Simon Kenton comes to Union to take on the Raiders. Winner is district champ and gets at least two home playoff games while the loser gets the No. 2 seed and a home playoff game. Logan Verax threw for 397 yards and three touchdowns, Grady Reynolds his top target with eight receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Savage had 24 tackles (7 solo, 17 assisted) on the defensive end in the win over Great Crossing last week.
6. Cooper (7-2, Previous Week: 7) — The Jaguars have continued to stay in rhythm offensively and handled their business in doing so. Now they get Dixie Heights for the right to a home playoff game. Isaiah Johnson cleared 1,000 yards receiving for the season in the victory over Boone County last week. They have potential for two receivers over 1,000 yards this season with Austin Alexander also creeping close with nearly 800 yards receiving. Cam O’Hara could hit 3,000 yards passing, currently a little over 2,300 yards.
7. Dixie Heights (4-4, Previous Week: 8) — Dixie’s four wins have come by an average of 41.2 points per game. Dixie’s four losses have come by an average of 12 points per game. Now comes a game that defines their season at Cooper. They win and earn a home playoff game, a loss means the postseason will be traveled on the road and at best a .500 regular season record.
8. Lloyd Memorial (7-1, Previous Week: 4) — Friday night was a letdown against Lexington Catholic. It got even worse when leading rusher Yurii Collins Comer went down with an injury on the Juggernauts first possession of the game. But greener pastures are ahead as sophomore quarterback Kaleb Evans is set to return and Isaiah Sebastian will return into a playmaking wide receiver, who I’m sure the Juggernauts will use in a variety of ways to get him the ball. They close out with Bourbon County and Scott and if they defeat the Colonels on Friday will have a home playoff game in the first round.
9. Campbell County (2-6, Previous Week: 9) — Another heartbreaker for the Camels as they’ve lost two weeks in a row on the game’s final play. This week it was a 38-yard Hail Mary from Simon Kenton to defeat them, 27-21. The prior week it was a failed two-point conversion against Ryle in overtime of a 37-36 loss. The Camels are two plays away from being a potential district champion, now they host Great Crossing to try and earn a No. 3 seed in the district.
10. Conner (4-5, Previous Week: 10) — The Cougars have now lost three straight and four of five with a shot to clinch a postseason berth with Boone County this week. A win would get them to 5-5 and a week off before they’ll have to head to Scott County for the first round of the playoffs. The Cardinals could be the No. 1 team in the state in 5A in the latest media poll when it comes out Wednesday.
Big School Top 5 (4A-6A)
- Covington Catholic
2. Highlands
3. Simon Kenton
4. Ryle
5. Cooper
Small School Top 5 (1A-3A)
- Beechwood
2. Lloyd Memorial
3. Newport Central Catholic
4. Newport
5. Ludlow
200-yard Passing Club
Kyle Lee, Newport vs Bellevue (24/31, 474 yards, 5 TD)
Logan Verax, Ryle vs Great Crossing (28/41, 397 yards, 3 TD)
Clay Hayden, Beechwood vs Carroll County (12/13, 328 yards, 5 TD)
Armani Gregg, Dixie Heights vs Scott (8/10, 255 yards, 3 TD)
Cam O’Hara, Cooper vs Boone County (12/15, 240 yards, 3 TD)
Brady Lee, Simon Kenton vs Campbell County (22/28, 229 yards, 2 TD)
Evan Pitzer, Covington Catholic vs Harrison County (8/8, 228 yards, 3 TD)
Avery Howe, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (12/16, 218 yards, 4 TD)
Donovan Ambrocio, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (6/9, 214 yards, 4 TD)
100-yard Rushing Club
Durrell Turner, Simon Kenton vs Campbell County (17 rushes, 205 yards, TD)
Demetrick Welch, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (10 rushes, 135 yards, 4 TD)
Jordan Pendleton, Bellevue vs Newport (20 rushes, 129 yards, 2 TD)
Nathan Smith, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (16 rushes, 126 yards, 2 TD)
Lamiego Mutongwiza, Dixie Heights vs Scott (9 rushes, 120 yards, 2 TD)
Cameron Giesler, Highlands vs Conner (7 rushes, 113 yards, TD)
Dameyn Anness, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (17 rushes, 111 yards, TD)
Isaiah Sebastian, Lloyd Memorial vs Lexington Catholic (15 rushes, 110 yards)
100-yard Receiving Club
Rodzion Thompson, Newport vs Bellevue (8 receptions, 209 yards, 2 TD)
Grady Reynolds, Ryle vs Great Crossing (8 receptions, 188 yards, TD)
Isaiah Johnson, Cooper vs Boone County (6 receptions, 181 yards, 3 TD)
Andrew Bales, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (3 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD)
Chase Caplinger, Conner vs Highlands (5 receptions, 106 yards)
Defensive Standouts
Jacob Savage, Ryle vs Great Crossing (24 tackles, tackle for loss)
Grady Reynolds, Ryle vs Great Crossing (16 tackles)
Joseph Amato, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (14 tackles, tackle for loss)
Landon Brown, Simon Kenton vs Campbell County (13 tackles, tackle for loss)
Matthew Engel, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (13 tackles)
Carter Schroer, Dixie Heights vs Scott (12 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks)
Tyler Copeland, Lloyd Memorial vs Lexington Catholic (12 tackles)
Khalil Buck-Barber, Newport vs Bellevue (11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, fumble recovery)
Brach Rice, Dixie Heights vs Scott (11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss)
Miguel Rodriguez, Dixie Heights vs Scott (11 tackles)
Zack Chalfin, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (11 tackles)
Carter Sleet, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, fumble forced)
Max Neal, Dixie Heights vs Scott (10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss)
Mason Wiseman, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack)
Felipa Tremble, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack)
Chase Valpreda, Dixie Heights (9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss)
Dameyn Anness, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Aiden Smith Baxley, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Mark Ober, Simon Kenton vs Ryle (9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Derek Smith, Bishop Brossart vs Ludlow (9 tackles, tackle for loss, .5 sack)
Caleb Milton, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (9 tackles, tackle for loss)
James Colegate, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (9 tackles, tackle for loss)
Luke Schieber, Simon Kenton vs Campbell County (9 tackles, tackle for loss)
Hunter Wiseman, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (8 tackles, interception return for TD)
Shane Willike, Bishop Brossart vs Ludlow (8 tackles, tackle for loss)
Cordell Abernathy, Conner vs Highlands (8 tackles, tackle for loss)
Sean Hurry, Newport vs Bellevue (8 tackles, tackle for loss)
Bryan Hodge, Newport vs Bellevue (8 tackles, tackle for loss)
Kabanza Mwamba, Dixie Heights vs Scott (7 tackles, interception)
Gavin Lyons, Ryle vs Great Crossing (7 tackles, interception)
Matt Brock, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (7 tackles, 3 tackles, for loss, sack)
Tucker Evans, Covington Catholic vs Harrison County (7 tackles, sack)
Landon Kraft, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (7 tackles, tackle for loss)
Eli Diop, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (6 tackles, 4 tackles for loss)
Byron Conley, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (6 tackles, interception)
Trevin Figgs, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (6 tackles, fumble recovery)
Nathan Heck, Bishop Brossart vs Ludlow (6 tackles, fumble forced)
Aba Selm, Simon Kenton vs Campbell County (6 tackles, tackle for loss, sack)
Littello Johnson, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (6 tackles, tackle for loss)
Quinten Tischner, Bishop Brossart vs Ludlow (6 tackles, tackle for loss)
Tate Kruer, Covington Catholic vs Harrison County (6 tackles, sack)
Jake Putthoff, Simon Kenton vs Campbell County (6 tackles, tackle for loss)
Landon Lorms, Ryle vs Great Crossing (5 tackles, fumble recovery)
Brett Wiethorn, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Nolan Kruse, Bishop Brossart vs Ludlow (5 tackles, tackle for loss, .5 sack)
Rodzion Thompson, Newport vs Bellevue (5 tackles, tackle for loss)
Axel Dance, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (5 tackles, tackle for loss)
Mason Baas, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (5 tackles, tackle for loss)
Dillon Smith, Ryle vs Great Crossing (5 tackles, tackle for loss)
Kendall Buck-Barber, Newport vs Bellevue (4 tackles, fumble recovery for TD)
Grayn Jackson, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (4 tackles, tackle for loss, interception)
TJ Jackson, Lloyd Memorial vs Lexington Catholic (4 tackles, fumble recovery)
Bryce Sizemore, Dixie Heights vs Scott (4 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss)
Javon Burke, Newport vs Bellevue (4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Breckin Ralston, Ludlow vs Bishop Brossart (4 tackles, tackle for loss)
Charlie Ford, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (3 tackles, fumble recovery, interception)
Dominic Storer, Dixie Heights vs Scott (3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, fumble recovery)
Cooper Burch, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (3 tackles, tackle for loss, sack, fumble forced, fumble recovery)
Carvonta Roper, Newport vs Bellevue (3 tackles, interception)
Amonte Lowe, Newport vs Bellevue (3 tackles, interception)
Willie Rodriguez, Covington Catholic vs Harrison County (3 tackles, sack)
Luke Hyden, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (3 tackles, tackle for loss)
Michael Oldfield, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (3 tackles, tackle for loss)
Jonathan Strunk, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (2 tackles, .5 sack, fumble recovery)
Tyson Beach, Dixie Heights vs Scott (2 tackles, interception)
Jonathan Siebert, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (2 tackles, interception)
Logan McNabb, Campbell County vs Simon Kenton (2 tackles for loss)
Andrew Russell, Holy Cross vs Trimble County (2 tackles, sack)
Christopher Pompilio-Greene, Newport vs Bellevue (2 tackles, tackle for loss)
Bo Gay, Ryle vs Great Crossing (2 tackles, tackle for loss)
Landon Stacks, Newport vs Bellevue (tackle for loss)
Tristan Woodyard, Bellevue vs Newport (Two interceptions, INT return for TD)
Evan Vinson, Covington Catholic vs Harrison County (interception)
Elijah Collins, Lloyd Memorial vs Lexington Catholic (interception)
Eddie Bivens, Newport Central Catholic vs Dayton (interception)
Nathan Verax, Ryle vs Great Crossing (interception)
Trace Dalton, Walton-Verona vs Gallatin County (interception)
Mattox Kelly, Beechwood vs Carroll County (fumble recovery)
Brayden Sizemore, Bellevue vs Newport (fumble recovery)
Carson Shelton, Highlands vs Conner (fumble forced)
Ryan Dunn, Highlands vs Conner (fumble forced)
Xavier Campbell, Beechwood vs Carroll County (sack)
Chase McDaniel, Beechwood vs Carroll County (sack)
Jack Meier, Beechwood vs Carroll County (.5 sack)
Nicholas Alexander, Beechwood vs Carroll County (.5 sack)
*-Missing stats from Boone County, Cooper (defense), Dayton