Two area games took place on the evening and both the Highlands Bluebirds and Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds solidified district championships, adding to their storied histories.
Highlands 57, Scott 6
The Bluebirds finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 run to the Class 5A, District 6 championship and 9-1 overall. They’ve won two consecutive district crowns and own the top spot in RPI in Class 5A, meaning as long as they keep winning, they’ll be hosting playoff games all the way to the state semifinals.
The Bluebirds opened the game when Brody Benke scored from seven yards out and Luke Schneider scored on the conversion run just under two minutes into the game to put Highlands up 8-0. But Scott came back and scored when Trey Cook hit Dylan Giffen for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Highlands scored 49 unanswered after that.
“Scott’s coaching staff had a good game plan. They scouted us well,” said Hayden Sphire, Highlands Offensive Coordinator. “But we settled in. We have to do a better job coming out of the gates faster. But luckily, we have our bye week to clean that up.”
Highlands outgained Scott, 541-218 in total offense and doubled up the hosts, 12-6 in first downs. Bluebirds senior center Gabe Fassler helped pave the way, starting with the snap.
“That’s been a major factor in (our success),” Fassler said. “The first thing I do is snap it then my steps happen. I mess my steps up when I step and snap at the same time. It’s important to have that first clean toss, then the play happens.”
Benke and Litmer rushed for two touchdowns each. Litmer completed 8-of-10 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Benke rushed for 59 yards, threw for 80 and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Cam Geisler rushed for 37 yards and caught three passes for 69 yards. Jackson Arnold added a 47-yard touchdown reception.
Cook completed 15-of-29 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown for the Eagles. Giffen and Kaymon Coleman led the Eagles in receiving yards.
Scott (2-7) concludes the regular season at home against Lloyd Memorial (7-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. With a Conner win against Boone County on Friday, the Eagles would be eliminated from postseason contention.
Highlands next game comes in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs at home on Nov. 3. The opponent is still to be determined, but most likely the loser of Friday’s South Oldham-Collins game.
Newport Central Catholic 49, Bellevue 14
The Thoroughbreds dominated the host Tigers in the final Class 1A, District 3 battle for both teams.
Demetrick Welch had two rushing touchdowns and Kaleb Cole had one rushing and one receiving touchdown with Mitchell Doeker hauling in two touchdown passes. Louie Collopy threw two touchdown passes and Emmanuel Miles threw the other two, including one to Kaden Anderson.
NewCath (5-4) plays at Holmes on Friday at 7 p.m. and Bellevue (3-6) travels to Jackson County for a 7:30 p.m. game.
