NCC-McNicholas Preview

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team tends to rise up for challenges.

They have another one this Saturday when they cross the Ohio River into east Cincinnati to face the McNicholas Rockets. McNicholas is an Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III school – the third-largest of Ohio’s six classes – and a member of the rugged Greater Catholic League Central Division.

“We obviously like to challenge ourselves,” said Eddie Eviston, NewCath head coach. “You are not going to see many small schools on our schedule besides our district that we have to play. That makes us better in the long run. I think we have the kids that can fight and rise to the challenge.”

The Rockets struggled to a 2-8 mark under first-year head coach Mike Orlando last year after going 11-3, winning the GCL Central title and driving all the way to the state semifinals in 2010. That included a 23-13 defeat to the Thoroughbreds last year at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. This marks the first contest for the Rockets, while NewCath comes in off a 37-22 win over Dixie Heights in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.

The Thoroughbreds hope to bring the same intensity to this game they did against Dixie. They did not turn the ball over and outgained the Colonels, 349-287 in total offense including 227 yards on the ground on 42 carries. Senior Dylan Hayes led the way with 138 yards on 23 carries with three rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for a score.

NewCath had some balance offensively out of its spread attack against Dixie. Quarterback Josh Cain completed 16-of-24 passes for 122 yards including seven to Mac Franzen for 58 yards. Cain has plenty of experience around him until he settles in to the new full-time role.

“The guys around me make my job easier,” Cain said. “The guys pick me up if I struggle.”

The Thoroughbreds will also face a spread offense Saturday. Senior quarterback Austin Ernst returns for the Rockets after throwing for 926 yards in 2011 and senior running back Kevin McHale comes back after rushing for 647 yards last year. Ernst can throw to wide receivers Michael Mink and Thomas Vogele.

“(Austin) Ernst has a very good arm,” Eviston said. “We need to do as much as we can to get him on his toes, get him out of the pocket, and do some different things to not make him comfortable. He can do some things to nickel and dime you.”

Franzen and Hayes did pick off Dixie quarterback Drew Moore once each. Franzen’s interception led to a Hayes touchdown.

Moore completed 16-of-23 passes for 167 yards and had 92 yards rushing on 15 carries. He scrambled 78 yards for a touchdown just 2:10 into the game. The Colonels did have some success when Moore scrambled outside the pocket and on crossing routes.

“That is something we talked about as a staff and brought it up to the kids (Monday),” Eviston said. “I’m sure (the scrambling and crossing routes) is something McNich will see and try to use to its advantage. We just need to get better in those areas. We can’t let the quarterback out of the pocket when we get a good rush on him and we have to prevent the quick-hitters in the passing game.”

NewCath will face a 4-3 defense. Paul Wilson, Logan Stultz and Kevin Williams anchor the defensive line. Williams had 2.5 sacks last year. McHale leads the Rocket linebackers and junior Daniel Sandmann leads the defensive backs.

McNicholas does return a good kicker in senior Pat DiSalvio. He made 11-of-17 field-goal attempts and 68-of-72 extra-point tries last year. DiSalvio also averaged 37.3 yards per punt.

Game time is 1 p.m. at Penn Station Stadium.