To be the winning team, fan votes play a heavy role, along with consideration from our sports team here at LINK.
Nominations are reader-submitted or recommended by our sports team. Our Team of the Week program honors all local sports at all levels, whether it’s youth or adult-oriented recreation, high school or college, professional or amateur.
This week’s nominated teams are listed below with some information provided by the submitter or LINK nky staff. The poll where you can vote follows at the end of the article.
Voting is open until Sunday night.
LUDLOW FOOTBALL
The Panther defense was dominant and then they rode the Dameyn Anness train to victory.
Ludlow defeated Newport 28-6 on Nov. 10 in advancing to the region championship round. The Panthers defense tallied 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and Anness picked a pass off to shut down the Wildcats after their opening score of the game.
Anness then ran for 123 yards and three touchdowns as they racked up 230 yards on the ground, Aiden Smith Baxley registering 51 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Anness finished with nine tackles, two of them for loss and a sack. Breckin Ralston also had nine tackles, two of them for loss. Carson Evans, Smith Baxley, Kaden Morrison and Gabe Payne all recorded sacks.
Ludlow heads to Kentucky Country Day on Friday for a region championship. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC FOOTBALL
The ‘Breds dominated Dayton on Nov. 10 in a 43-19 victory, winning their sixth straight game in the process.
They were nearly perfect on offense as quarterback Louie Collopy completed all three pass attempts for 80 yards and three touchdowns while they averaged 13.6 yards per carry in the rushing attack. Collopy’s three passing touchdowns went to Charlie Ford twice and Mitchell Doeker for one. They had just eight rushing attempts for 109 yards, Eddie Bivens with a 57-yard rushing touchdown while Demetrick Welch had 36 yards on five carries and a score.
Chris Meyer was the standout on defense, forcing a fumble and intercepting a pass. Welch also scored on a punt return for a touchdown.
Newport Central Catholic plays at Campbellsville on Friday for a shot at their second straight region championship. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
BEECHWOOD FOOTBALL
Beechwood continues to maul teams after a 42-12 victory over Breathitt County on Friday in the second round of the KHSAA Class 2A playoffs.
The Tigers utilized their ground attack in the victory, rushing for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Chase Flaherty led the way with 113 yards and two touchdowns, Luke Erdman also rushing for a score. Flaherty also had a receiving touchdown, Clay Hayden connecting on 7-of-8 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, the other passing touchdown going to Tyler Fryman.
Special teams also made their mark as Erdman returned a kickoff for a touchdown and Colson Lair made all six extra-point attempts, Lair is 70-for-71 on PATs this season.
Beechwood looks to continue their quest of four straight state championships with a region championship matchup with Martin County on Friday. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
COVINGTON CATHOLIC FOOTBALL
Covington Catholic had one of the toughest second round matchups in the state when Ashland came to town.
The Colonels outlasted the Tomcats, 35-28 to advance to Friday’s region championship game against Johnson Central.
Covington Catholic’s offense flexed their muscles, especially the Evan Pitzer to Willie Rodriguez connection hitting on six passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Pitzer finished with yet another efficient game, completing 11-of-14 passes for 180 yards and the three scores to Rodriguez.
Owen Leen was the bell cow in the backfield, collecting 103 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Braylon Miller added four catches for 56 yards to aid the passing attack.
Josh Flood was the standout on defense, recording 11 tackles and forcing a key fumble in the fourth quarter that Nicholas Krallman recovered. Tate Kruer added nine tackles, Rodriguez registering a sack.
The Colonels host Johnson Central on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
HIGHLANDS FOOTBALL
Ground and pound.
That was the Bluebirds method of taking down Dixie Heights 40-7 on their way to the region championship Friday night against North Laurel.
The Bluebirds finished with 423 rushing yards as Cameron Giesler and Brody Benke cleared the century mark, Giesler with 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns, Benke with 194 and three scores.
Carson Class had the other touchdown, a 41-yard strike from Benke.
Class had an interception on defense, Nate Welch also with one as they limited the Colonels to 134 total yards. Carson Shelton was the leading tackler with seven.
Highlands contest with North Laurel is on Friday in Fort Thomas at 7:30 p.m.
COOPER FOOTBALL
Cooper avenged a 2022 playoff defeat in a big way with a 49-21 victory over Scott County on Friday.
The Jaguars dominated from the jump, totaling 382 yards on offense and forced three turnovers on defense. Quarterback Cam O’Hara threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns, all three scores going to Austin Alexander who finished with five catches for 148 yards.
Keagan Maher continues his strong surge in the backfield, finishing with 153 yards and three touchdowns. O’Hara added a rushing touchdown as well.
Jack Lonaker led the wall on defense with 12 tackles, Mike Mulvihill adding 10 tackles with a fumble recovery and a sack. Alexander added a sack and forced a fumble while Isaac Brown and Ryker Campbell picked off passes.
Carson Taylor hit on all seven extra-point attempts, he’s now 60-for-63 on PATs this season.
Cooper will look to be road warriors once again when they play at Southwestern on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for a region championship.
RYLE FOOTBALL
Ryle took down the defending 6A champs in a big way, forcing a running clock on Bullitt East in a 43-20 victory.
The Raiders posted 430 total yards, Logan Verax throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns while the rushing attack got going behind Verax’s 97 yards rushing and a score.
Dylan Lee was the top receiver with three catches for 107 yards and a touchdown while Grady Reynolds added six catches for 90 yards. Landon Lorms, Savage and JR Hayes all had receiving touchdowns, Lorms completing a 65-yard passing touchdown on a trick play.
The Raider defense allowed just 222 total yards. Savage was the leading tackler with nine, Jaden Gallicia adding seven tackles with a fumble recovery while Dillon Smith had a sack.
Ryle travels to Lexington to take on Bryan Station on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their region championship matchup.
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