Keeping it short and sweet this week since I have to go cover state tournament games in soccer.
Just two weeks of the regular season remain and this coming week can be treated as virtually a playoff week. Teams can clinch district titles, home playoff games, a playoff spot and district positional seeding.
We’ll break that down later in the week, but the LINK nky Top 10 doesn’t change much once again. District play was met with more snoozers…all but one of 13 games played featuring NKY teams was decided by less than 10 points. The other 12 had an average margin of 32.4 points.
The LINK nky top 10 below, with offensive, defensive and kicking standouts below:
- Cooper (9-0, defeated Boone County 48-14) Previous Ranking 1: The Jaguars are in a great spot for not only their first undefeated regular season in program history, but homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. South Warren closed the gap in RPI with their big win over Bowling Green, but Cooper is No. 1 in RPI at .71463, South Warren is at .69430. The Jaguars close out their regular season Friday at Dixie Heights.
2. Ryle (6-2, defeated Great Crossing 36-8) Previous Ranking 2: The most impressive victory last week was Ryle demolishing Great Crossing. They put a running clock up in the early stages of the third quarter. The Raiders clinch the district title with a win over Simon Kenton this week in Independence.
3. Highlands (6-2, defeated Conner 42-14) Previous Ranking 3: Rio Litmer was “surgical” in the Bluebirds victory over Conner. The passing game has really come on with what is already a potent rushing attack. A regular season finale against Scott this week and then a bye week before they start their postseason at home.
4. Covington Catholic (6-2, defeated Harrison County 56-6) Previous Ranking 4: Maybe the Colonels will be challenged this week by Mason County? The matchup brings intrigue, as its for the Class 4A, 5th District regular season title. Both teams have won their three district games handily, the Colonels winning by a combined 166-6, the Royals 130-6.
5. Beechwood (8-1, defeated Carroll County 61-0) Previous Ranking 5: See above. Maybe the Tigers will be challenged this week at Bracken County? The matchup brings higher stakes, the winner taking home the Class 2A, 5th District title. Beechwood has outscored district opponents 233-0 this season, Bracken County at 196-29.
6. Conner (6-3, lost to Highlands 42-14) Previous Ranking 6: A lot of buildup and a promising start for the Cougars against Highlands, but they just struggled to string together defensive stops. The loss means they’ll be going on the road in the first round of the postseason. They’ll close the regular season out at home against Boone County this week.
7. Simon Kenton (4-4, defeated Campbell County 48-29) Previous Ranking 7: Ho hum, another 300-plus yard passing game for Brady Lee and another pair of 100-yard plus receiving games for Grayson Harris and Tysin Weaver. That will get put to the test this week against a stout defense in Ryle. The Pioneers win and they can muddy the waters in the Class 6A, 6th District.
8. Lloyd Memorial (6-2, lost to Lexington Catholic 23-14) Previous Ranking 8: A massive opportunity slipped through the Juggernauts hands in Lexington last week. Despite forcing five turnovers and holding a 14-6 lead, Lloyd couldn’t close the door against Lexington Catholic and clinching the regular season district title. Now they need to win at Bourbon County this week to secure a home playoff game.
9. Campbell County (3-5, lost to Simon Kenton 48-29) Previous Ranking 10: Here’s the scenario this week for the Camels. A win at Great Crossing and they most likely avoid Male in the first round of the playoffs. A loss means they’ll be traveling to Louisville to take on a top three team in the state in the first round of the playoffs.
10. Dixie Heights (3-5, defeated Scott 48-14) Previous Ranking 9: With the win over Scott, the Colonels clinched a postseason berth. They’ll be the No. 4 seed and will have to travel to either Woodford County, Scott County or South Oldham. Still a lot to be determined there.
Next up: Newport Central Catholic, Newport, Ludlow
Big School Top 5 (4A-6A)
- Cooper
2. Ryle
3. Highlands
4. Covington Catholic
5. Conner
Small School Top 5 (1A-3A)
- Beechwood
2. Lloyd Memorial
3. Newport Central Catholic
4. Newport
5. Ludlow
200-Yard Passing Club
Brady Lee, Simon Kenton — 24/33, 382 yds, 3 TD
Kyle Lee, Newport — 21/26, 355 yds, 6 TD
Rio Litmer, Highlands — 26/32, 335 yds, 4 TD
Lucas Anthrop, Campbell County — 16/21, 237 yds, 3 TD
Avery Howe, Walton-Verona — 15/21, 220 yds, 5 TD
Kaleb Evans, Lloyd Memorial — 23/41, 201 yds, 2 TD
100-Yard Rushing Club
Cameron Mandel, Bishop Brossart — 22 rushes, 210 yds, 3 TD
Wyatt Hatfield, Conner — 22 rushes, 205 yds, 2 TD
Dameyn Anness, Ludlow — 18 rushes, 200 yds, 2 TD
Armani Gregg, Dixie Heights — 6 rushes, 161 yds, 2 TD
Dylan Gaiser, Covington Catholic — 3 rushes, 108 yds, TD
Deven James, Highlands — 19 rushes, 101 yds, 2 TD
100-Yard Receiving Club
Grayson Harris, Simon Kenton — 9 rec, 168 yds, 2 TD
Jackson Arnold, Highlands — 11 rec, 161 yds, 2 TD
Garyn Jackson, Campbell County — 9 rec, 144 yds, 2 TD
Tysin Weaver, Campbell County — 9 rec, 143 yds, TD
Adonaje Lowe, Newport — 5 rec, 126 yds, 3 TD
Michael Oldfield, Walton-Verona — 6 rec, 113 yds, 3 TD
Rodzion Thompson, Newport — 5 rec, 109 yds, TD
Carson Evans, Ludlow — 3 rec, 100 yds, TD
Defensive Standouts
Thomas Hicks, Highlands — 13 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Quinten Tischner, Bishop Brossart — 13 tackles
Aven Bohms, Simon Kenton — 13 tackles
Jaxon Fann, Lloyd Memorial — 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Ethan Grimm, Highlands — 12 tackles, tackle for loss
Jacob Savage, Ryle — 12 tackles, tackle for loss
Shane Willike, Bishop Brossart — 12 tackles, .5 sack
Isaiah Sebastian, Lloyd Memorial — 11 tackles, interception
Landon Brown, Simon Kenton — 11 tackles, tackle for loss
Carson Evans, Ludlow — 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, interception return for TD
Shepherd Dozier, Conner — 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Alexander Yutze, Walton-Verona — 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Avery Conrad, Lloyd Memorial — 10 tackles, tackle for loss, fumble recovery
Elijah Depperschmidt, Campbell County — 10 tackles
Lincoln Tomlinson, Lloyd Memorial — 9 tackles, tackle for loss
Kannon Lawson, Conner — 9 tackles
Andrew Russell, Holy Cross — 9 tackles
Kai Workman, Ryle — 9 tackles
Cooper Burch, Walton-Verona — 9 tackles
Gavin Roberts, Walton-Verona — 9 tackles
Matt Brock, Ludlow — 8 tackles, 3 sacks
Shawn Sinkhorn, Walton-Verona — 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Tyler Copeland, Lloyd Memorial — 8 tackles, interception
Dominic Storer, Dixie Heights — 8 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
Littello Johnson, Holy Cross — 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Isaac Niemann, Highlands — 8 tackles, tackle for loss
Jaylan Hartness, Newport — 8 tackles, tackle for loss
Chase Caplinger, Conner — 8 tackles
Austin Morehead, Dixie Heights — 8 tackles
Brayden Schoborg, Simon Kenton — 8 tackles
Spencer Brandenburg, Ludlow — 7 tackles, interception
Cameron Mandel, Bishop Brossart — 7 tackles, fumble recovery
Paul Snyder, Simon Kenton — 7 tackles, sack
Cordion Abernathy, Conner — 7 tackles
Tyler Morehead, Dixie Heights — 7 tackles
Tommy Ferring, Highlands — 7 tackles
Beckett Meersman, Bishop Brossart — 6 tackles, fumble forced
Aiden Smith-Baxley, Ludlow — 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Matthew Goering, Bishop Brossart — 6 tackles, tackle for loss, sack
Dameyn Anness, Ludlow — 6 tackles, tackle for loss, .5 sack
Gabe Williams, Highlands — 6 tackles, tackle for loss
Austin Thomas, Campbell County — 6 tackles
Zach Butke, Campbell County — 6 tackles
Dylan Stewart, Conner — 6 tackles
Tate Kruer, Covington Catholic — 6 tackles
Jason Rieselman, Holy Cross — 6 tackles
Elijah Collins, Lloyd Memorial — 6 tackles
Aaron Hampton, Scott — 6 tackles
Eric Dirr, Simon Kenton — 6 tackles
Kyle Steinmann, Simon Kenton — 6 tackles
Nicholas Cozzi, Bishop Brossart — 5 tackles, interception
Alijah Griffin, Lloyd Memorial — 5 tackles, interception
Ben Walton, Walton-Verona — 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
Max Hunt, Holy Cross — 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
Jordan Wagner, Beechwood — 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Joe Schroeder, Bishop Brossart — 5 tackles, tackle for loss, fumble forced
Brayden Brzygot, Dixie Heights — 5 tackles, tackle for loss
Landen Meyer, Ludlow — 5 tackles, tackle for loss
Kayveion Sharp, Newport — 5 tackles, tackle for loss
Landon Geyer, Bishop Brossart — 4 tackles, interception, fumble forced
Garrett Frederick, Holy Cross — 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, fumble recovery
Bo Gay, Ryle — 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack
Byron Conley, Ludlow — 4 tackles, interception
Kendall Buck-Barber, Newport — 4 tackles, interception
Nolan Kruse, Bishop Brossart — 4 tackles, fumble recovery
Camryn Correll, Conner — 4 tackles, fumble recovery
Jayleion Sharp, Newport — 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack
Ryker Campbell, Cooper — 4 tackles, tackle for loss
Nolan Goetz, Dixie Heights — 4 tackles, tackle for loss
Ayden Stachel, Newport — 4 tackles, tackle for loss
Brody Waddell, Beechwood — 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, interception
Carlos Richards, Holy Cross — 3 tackles, interception
Mattox Kelly, Beechwood — 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack
Brody Aylor, Beechwood — 3 tackles, sack
Jack Meier, Beechwood — 3 tackles, tackle for loss
Chase Valpreda, Dixie Heights — 3 tackles, tackle for loss
Adonaje Lowe, Newport — 3 tackles, tackle for loss
Billy Lewis, Lloyd Memorial — 2 tackles, fumble recovery
Jordan Pendleton, Bellevue — 2 fumble recoveries, fumble return for TD
Gabe Payne, Ludlow — 2 tackles, fumble recovery return for TD
Rodzion Thompson, Newport — 2 tackles, interception
Dillon Smith, Ryle — 2 tackles for loss, sack
Max Karwath, Ryle — 2 tackles, fumble forced
Derrick Fortner, Bellevue — fumble recovery, sack
Arion Stuckey, Bellevue — fumble forced, sack
Dominic Gregory, Highlands — fumble recovery
Hudson Stephens, Ryle — fumble recovery
Jason Greene, Lloyd Memorial — forced fumble
Cahlil Johnson, Holy Cross — 2 interceptions, interception return for TD
Eddie Bivens, Newport Central Catholic — Interception return for TD
Kolten Craycraft, Beechwood — Interception
Issac Amin, Bishop Brossart — Interception
Isaac Brown, Cooper — Interception
Jaymauri Duncan, Cooper — Interception
Will Danneman, Covington Catholic — Interception
Owen Pitzer, Covington Catholic — Interception
Andrew Lynn, Walton-Verona — Interception
Brayden Donato, Walton-Verona — Interception
Brayden Sizemore, Bellevue — sack
Colton Dean, Cooper — sack
Levi Gilliland, Dixie Heights — sack
Kicking Standouts
Colson Lair, Beechwood — 7/7 PAT
Logan Nickelman, Highlands — 6/6 PAT
Louie Collopy, Newport Central Catholic — 6/6 PAT
Tyler Eveland, Simon Kenton — 6/6 PAT
Eyler Tibbs, Cooper — 6/7 PAT
Ryan Urti, Covington Catholic — 6/7 PAT
Max Runge, Bishop Brossart — 5/5 PAT, 0/1 FG
Gavin Moses, Ryle — 4/4 PAT
Finn McMillan, Ludlow — 4/5 PAT
Blake Minor, Campbell County — 3/3 PAT
Missing stats from: Boone County, Dayton