Tied at 21 and on the final play of the game, Simon Kenton’s Brady Lee hit Nathan Kitchens for a 38-yard touchdown pass as the Pioneers escaped with a 27-21 victory over visiting Campbell County.
It was a key Class 6A, District 6 victory for Simon Kenton (5-2), setting up a district championship game with Ryle next week for a No. 1 seed.
“We just threw it up last play of the game. It got tipped a few times,” Kitchens said. “As I was falling back, it flew right into my hands. It was pure excitement. I’m just glad to get the W.”
The Pioneer rushing attack excelled once again with 273 yards while Lee completed 21-of-27 passes for 223 yards and two touchdown passes. Turner ran for 224 yards and one touchdown, Grayson Harris had 10 catches for 76 yards and Kitchens had four for 72 with Tysin Weaver adding a touchdown catch and rushing touchdown.
“It was great. Obviously, it’s not ideal to be in that situation,” said Roy Lucas, Simon Kenton head coach. “But kids go and make plays. Kitchens is a playmaker.”
For Campbell County (2-6), it was their second loss on the final play in consecutive weeks, after failing a two-point conversion attempt at Ryle in overtime last week.
The Camels put up a battle rushing for 247 yards and passing for 116. Quarterback Nathan Smith rushed for 139 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns and threw for 115 yards and a touchdown to Xavier Fancher. Fancher had two catches for 59 yards with Garyn Jackson catching four passes for 39 yards and rushing for 44.
Simon Kenton plays at Ryle for the district championship on Friday at 7 p.m. Campbell County plays host to Great Crossing at 7:30 p.m.
Class 6A, District 6
Ryle 35, Great Crossing 21
The Raiders ventured south and came back with the district win setting up the home game against Simon Kenton for the district championship Friday at 7 p.m.
Ryle’s (4-4) Logan Verax threw two touchdowns, Landon Lorms had two touchdown receptions and Nathan Verax threw for a score and caught another. Gavin Lyons added a rushing touchdown. The Raiders jumped out to a 14-0 lead before taking a 21-7 advantage into the break. Nathan Verax’s touchdown pass to Lorms early in the fourth gave them a 35-14 lead.
Class 5A, District 6
Cooper 49, Boone County 7
The Jaguars celebrated Senior Night with a resounding victory high on the plains off Longbranch.
Cooper (7-2) hosted their county brethren from across US-42, in the Columbia Blue and silver, the Boone County Rebels (1-8) and greeted them with a 42-0 halftime deficit.
In one half of action, junior receiver Isaiah Johnson hauled in six catches for 181 yard and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Cam O’Hara finished 12-of-15 for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Keagan Maher toted the rock seven times for 72 yards and two scoring runs.
In the second half, junior running back DSan Ritchie rushed for 86 yards and the final Cooper score. The Rebels were paced offensively by Jamarion Hocker, finishing with 134 yards of total offense and the lone Rebel score.
Cooper hosts Dixie Heights next Friday night, the winner earning a home playoff game while Boone County hosts Conner.
Dixie Heights 67, Scott 7
The Colonels kept their first-round home playoff hopes alive with the convincing home victory.
David Anderson had four rushing touchdowns for the Colonels (4-4). Tyson Beach added two touchdown catches and Lamiego Mutongwiza had two rushing touchdowns. Nolan Goetz and JJ Kriger added touchdown receptions. Dixie led 47-7 at the half.
Scott (2-6) plays host to Highlands on Thursday at 7 p.m. Dixie Heights goes to Cooper for the final district game on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands 58, Conner 7
The Bluebirds clinched their second straight district championship with a win over the Cougars.
Highlands outgained Conner, 403-197 in total offense. Cam Giesler ran for 113 yards and a touchdown and caught a 56-yard touchdown for the Bluebirds (8-1) with quarterbacks Brody Benke and Rio Litmer combining to complete 14-of-17 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Matteo Matteoli had four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown with Adam Surrey catching two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Wyatt Hatfield completed 8-of-20 passes for 123 yards for Conner (4-5). Chase Caplinger had six catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.
Highlands travels to Scott on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game. Conner goes to Boone County on Friday at 7 p.m., a win for the Cougars guarantees a playoff game.
Class 4A, District 5
Covington Catholic 56, Harrison County 6
The Colonels set up the showdown for the district championship Friday at Mason County at 7 p.m. with the convincing win.
Covington Catholic (8-0) utilized seven different rushers that combined for 165 yards. Owen Leen had two rushing touchdowns with Will Michels and Luke Rabe adding one each.
CovCath quarterback Evan Pitzer completed all eight passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns. Braylon Miller had two catches for 88 yards with Willie Rodriguez catching two touchdown passes for a total of 30 yards. Oliver Link added two catches for 70 yards and one touchdown with Noah Johnson catching two balls for 40 yards.
Tucker Evans led CovCath defensively with seven tackles including a sack. Tate Kruer added a sack and Evan Vinson had an interception.
Class 2A, District 5
Beechwood 55, Carroll County 0
The Tigers continue to dismantle teams and clinched a district championship in doing so.
Clay Hayden threw five touchdown passes for Beechwood (8-1). Luke Erdman had two touchdown catches with Tyler Fryman, Talon Linder and James Cusick hauling in one each. Chase Flaherty, Zander Riegler and Brody Aylor had one rushing touchdown each.
Beechwood concludes the regular season Friday at home against Bracken County at 7:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona 31, Gallatin County 20
The Bearcats won their first district game this year and snapped a three-game losing streak with the home victory.
Trace Dalton scored two touchdowns to lead the Bearcats (3-5). Carter Daniels and Brett Wiethorn had one each.
Walton-Verona plays host to Owen County on Friday at 7:30 p.m., the winner gets a playoff berth while the loser is eliminated from postseason contention.
Class 1A, District 4
Holy Cross 48, Trimble County 6
The Indians picked up their first district win by outgaining the Raiders 423-216.
Holy Cross (5-3) quarterback Donovan Ambrocio completed 6-of-9 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way. Andrew Bales caught three passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns with Braylon Thornsberry catching two for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Davonte Ryan had the other touchdown catch.
Thomas Maddox led the Indians with seven carries for 89 yards and a touchdown run of 59 yards. Trevin Figgs also had a touchdown run.
Holy Cross plays at Ludlow on Friday at 7 p.m. in the final district game this year.