Getting on the bus and heading East in the region championship round is nothing new for Newport or Newport Central Catholic.
The Thoroughbreds were headed to Campbellsville for a third straight year, the Wildcats to Louisville to face Kentucky Country Day for a second straight season.
Same places, similar results as both teams from Newport came home empty handed. Campbellsville defeated NewCath, 28-0, while KCD beat Newport 37-6.
KCD 37, Newport 6
An early pick-six aided a 17-0 first half lead for the Bearcats on their way to a second straight region title victory over the Wildcats.
Newport got within 17-6 on a Jaden Conley pass to Kendell Buck-Barber, but KCD responded with a 20-point fourth quarter to win going away.
Parker Rudolph’s 74-yard run in the fourth to make it 31-6 guided the Bearcats rushing attack to 227 yards. Rudolph led the way with a game-high 117 rushing yards.
Newport’s ground game was stalled out. They tallied 84 yards on 26 carries, Conley throwing for 129 yards and a touchdown to go with two interceptions.
Newport’s season ends at 8-5.
Campbellsville 28, Newport Central Catholic 0
The Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and defeated the Thoroughbreds (8-5) for a third straight year.
Campbellsville (12-1) scored on a 59-yard passing play and a 48-yard fumble return to make it 14-0 less than nine minutes into the game.
Things settled down from there, NewCath unable to find any points on the evening.