The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds have won six straight after downing the Class 1A, District 3 rival Dayton Greendevils, 43-19 at Dixie Heights.
Demetrick Welch had two rushing touchdowns and one punt return for a touchdown to go with a two-point conversion. Louie Collopy threw two touchdown passes to Charlie Ford and another to Mitchell Doeker. Eddie Bivens added a rushing touchdown.
NewCath (8-4) travels to Campbellsville (10-1) on Friday for the third round of the playoffs.
Class 5A
Cooper 49, Scott County 21
The Jags traversed south to Georgetown, the Prowl came to town and charred the home standing Cardinals with a concoction of an opportunistic defense and balanced offense that was pleasing to the palate of the Cooper faithful.
The first play from scrimmage by Scott County resulted in a fumble, and a harbinger of things to come, which was recovered by Jag junior, Mike Mulvihill. Cooper quickly drew first blood on a three-yard scamper by sophomore Keagan Maher, his first of three touchdown runs and amassing 156 yards on the ground.
After forcing a Cardinal punt, Sophomore Cam O’Hara hit junior Austin Alexander for a 26 yard touchdown pass, which was the first of three touchdown connections between the two underclassman. O’Hara called his own number on a seven-yard QB keeper to put the Jags up 21-7 at intermission.
On the first play of the third quarter O’Hara connected with Alexander again on a long pass, catch and run that covered 70 yards to put Cooper in a commanding lead at 28-7.
The Cooper defense did a yeoman’s job versus the Cardinals vaunted wing T, including two interceptions and forcing three turnovers on the night. The Jags kept their composure and played disciplined football the rest of the way as the conclusion of the game was marred by six unsportsmanlike penalties against Scott County and multiple ejections in the fourth quarter.
O’Hara finished the night by going 12-for-17 for 211 yards and three touchdowns while Alexander hauled in five passes for 148 and the three scores. Cooper outgained Scott County, 377-272 in total offense.
The Jags will travel to Somerset to play Southwestern next Friday night in the region championship. It’s the first time they’ve reached the third round of the playoffs since 2015.
Jack Lonaker led Cooper with 8.5 tackles, including six solo. Alexander had two tackles for a loss and one sack with Mason Baesel and Mike Mulvihill recording one each.
Isaac Brown and Ryker Campbell had the interceptions and Mulvihill recovered the fumble.
Class 2A
Beechwood 42, Breathitt County 12
The Tigers dominated the Bobcats for their seventh straight win. They’ve allowed just 15 points over that winning streak.
Beechwood takes on Martin County (7-5) on Friday in the third round of the playoffs in Fort Mitchell.
