NewCath opens District 6 action at Bishop Brossart

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team may still be favored to win another Class 2A, District 6 crown.

But they don’t plan on the other four teams handing it to them. That’s why they’ve always played a tough non-district schedule.

NewCath’s four non-district opponents are larger schools. NewCath faced three teams from Kentucky’s largest Class 6A, District 6 and another from Ohio Division III – Ohio’s third-largest class.

The Thoroughbreds finished 1-3 against that schedule. They lost two decisions by less than 10 points against Cincinnati McNicholas and Simon Kenton and lost 42-16 to Campbell County all after opening with a 37-22 win over Dixie Heights.

“High school football is all about the experience for these players,” said Eddie Eviston, NewCath head coach. “We are not helping that experience if we are not playing good, competitive football. I think our kids understand that our schedule offers the chance to play big, competitive schools and that we have to be at our best, and practice at our best in order to win those games. These games identify our weaknesses and strengths better than say an ‘easier’ opponent. Thus, it will only help us as we move forward.”

NewCath hopes that starts with Friday’s game at the Bishop Brossart Mustangs. Brossart is also 1-3 entering the game and on a three-game losing streak. The Mustangs started varsity action in 2007. They opened with a 42-20 win at Middletown (Ohio) Christian before losing to Bracken County, Dayton and Pendleton County.

Despite the three-game losing streak, the Thoroughbreds improved tremendously between the games against Campbell County and Simon Kenton. They had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth against the Pioneers, but fumbled the ball at the Simon Kenton 5 on 4th-and-2.

Three players saw their first action against Simon Kenton and three or four more are still rehabbing and trying to get back. One player that returned Saturday is senior offensive lineman and linebacker Brady Thacker.

“We’re able to get more people rotated in and get more (repetitions),” Thacker said. “But with the injuries, it’s helped us give the young guys some looks. We’re working hard and looking forward to every week. The coaches have been pushing us hard trying to make us better.”

Thacker said the Thoroughbred defense hopes to do a better job containing quarterbacks. Pioneer quarterback Brennan Kuntz hurt NCC breaking outside the pocket a couple times and completing passes downfield. He completed 17-of-30 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns.

NewCath’s 4-4 defense will face a spread Brossart offense that seems centered around senior running back Jacob Elbert. Elbert has 1,083 yards rushing on 106 attempts for an average of about 10.2 per carry and eight touchdowns. Opponents have outgained NCC, 364.75-319 in total offense on average.

Mustang junior quarterback Casey Pelgen has completed 23-of-49 passes for 316 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns. Brossart’s leading receiver is junior Sean Tieman with nine catches for 181 yards.

“I think the biggest thing is that you really do not know what to expect,” Eviston said. “It seems as if they are still trying to identify who they are as a program. Thus, I am sure they are in a trial and error situation with who they have available and what style of play will stick.”

NewCath will counter with a spread attack. Quarterback Josh Cain has completed 60-of-96 passes for 695 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Dylan Hayes has 430 yards on 70 carries with seven touchdowns for an average of about 6.14 a carry. Leading receiver Mac Franzen has 20 catches for 340 yards for an average of 17 yards per catch.

The Mustangs run a 4-3 defense. Elbert leads Brossart defensively with 49 tackles.

Game time is 7 p.m. in Alexandria.