Two Kentucky high school football blue bloods are back on a collision course.
Highlands and Covington Catholic, two of the state’s most decorated programs, are district rivals once again. Their renewed clash in Class 4A, District 5 promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2025 season.
“Highlands and CovCath in the same district is kind of like peanut butter and jelly,” CovCath head coach Eddie Eviston said. “We’re back to what it was and what it should be. We’ve got a tough schedule and we’re going to prep the same no matter who we play, but we look forward to that extra little excitement when we have a great opponent on Friday night. That’s what Friday night football is all about.”
The two programs were longtime district foes before realignment split them from 2022-2024. Although they continued their regular-season series during those three years, the rivalry lost a bit of its edge without playoff implications on the line. That edge returns now, with both back in the same district for at least the next two seasons.
“The last couple of years, it wasn’t a district game, and I think that does change the dynamic,” Highlands head coach Bob Sphire said. “It was still CovCath versus Highlands, so it was still fun, still a good, healthy rivalry. This just ramps it up.”
Since the split, Highlands has taken two of the last three meetings, including a 32-22 win last fall in Park Hills. The 2025 showdown will be their first district matchup since 2021, when the Colonels took a 38-8 victory in the postseason.
This year, there’s more than pride at stake. The outcome could have significant playoff implications, possibly deciding the district title or setting the bracket path to Kroger Field in December. With a stacked 4A class that includes Boyle County, Corbin, Johnson Central, Paducah Tilghman, Franklin County and Ashland Blazer, every edge counts.
Both Highlands and CovCath enter the season as legitimate state title contenders.
Covington Catholic returns a deep and experienced roster, including quarterback Cash Harney and running back Dylan Gaiser. The duo combined for 2,854 rushing yards, creating not only one of the most feared duos in northern Kentucky, but across the entire state.
The Colonels reached the Class 4A semifinals last fall, highlighted by a stunning upset of three-time defending champion Boyle County in the quarterfinals.
“I think we’re at least top five in the state,” CovCath lineman Mitchell Woolf said. “We have a bunch of returning starters, a really good senior class, along with strong junior and sophomore classes. We’ve got a lot of depth this year so it should be a really good season for us.”
Highlands also reached the 5A semifinals in 2024 and now drops to 4A with eyes on a deeper run. The Bluebirds were eliminated by Cooper each of the last two years, 17-15 in 2023 and 61-23 last year, but return a well-balanced squad on both sides of the ball. Don’t be surprised if October’s meeting with the Colonels isn’t the only one this season, the scenario they had with Cooper could be similar to CovCath this season, meeting again late in the postseason.
“At the end of the day, we just have to focus week by week and execute,” senior quarterback Rio Litmer said. “If we do that, I think the way we play will speak for itself.”
Litmer threw for 2,791 yards and 33 touchdowns his junior season. He’ll have to adjust with his top two targets graduated in Adam Surrey and Jackson Arnold, combining for 117 catches for 1,893 yards and 20 touchdowns.
On defense, senior linebacker Ryan Dunn said the team’s mentality is grounded in discipline and unity.
“Our team is all about trust on defense, and I trust my guys,” Dunn said. “I just do my job as best as I can. We’re going to be a tough defense. We’re looking to tackle, looking to destroy the offense as much as we can.”
CovCath’s Gaiser echoed the importance of facing elite competition, especially in a class loaded with top-tier programs.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Gaiser said. “Playing the best teams out there only makes you better, makes you want to win even more.”
The rivalry has always meant something. This year, it might mean everything.
For Northern Kentucky football fans, it’s a return to form: packed stands, roaring student sections, and two storied programs battling not just for bragging rights, but for district supremacy…and maybe more.
Kickoff is set for October 3 in Fort Thomas at 7 p.m.
Liking our football storylines headed into the season? Here’s a list of what we’ve already covered. These storylines will run daily leading into the first week of the season that starts Aug. 22.
Storylines:
— Same faces, different places
— Cooper’s Cam O’Hara on the verge of shattering NKY passing records
— Ryle seeks first 6A title for NKY
— Boone County, Holmes, Scott seek to restore consistency
— Dixie Heights QB Mason Fields holding up higher expectations for Colonels
— Bishop Brossart, Walton-Verona and Holy Cross aim for second season progression
— Football scrimmages schedule
— NewCath hopes to overcome late round playoff wall
— Highlands-CovCath rivalry reignites
— Conner turns to Noel Rash after summer tragedy
— Lloyd, Ludlow and Newport rearranging lineups
— St. Henry approaching first ever varsity game
— Dayton, Bellevue celebrate new fields
— Simon Kenton’s Grayson Harris the most dynamic receiver in NKY?