Thoroughbreds hope to get back on track for first home game of 2012

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team has entered games as favorites in recent years.
That may not be the case for Saturday's matchup against the rejuvinated Simon Kenton Pioneers. The Pioneers are undefeated at 4-0 and entering off a 31-7 victory over visiting Covington Holmes in a game called a halftime because of lightning. The Pioneers went 2-9 last year losing 72-0 to state-power Louisville Trinity in the first round of the playoffs.
This marks the third opponent NewCath has faced out of Class 6A, District 6. The Thoroughbreds beat Dixie Heights, 37-22 to open the season before losing 42-16 at Campbell County on Aug. 31. The 1-2 Thoroughbreds have their first losing streak since 2009.
NewCath used its bye week to heal up. Head coach Eddie Eviston said the Thoroughbreds "have had several players out and a handful more nursing some injuries over the last three to four weeks." Eviston and staff hope to see some of them playing at or close to 100 percent in the coming weeks.
Injuries have especially hurt the Thoroughbreds on defense. Teams have run for 598 yards for about 200 a contest against NewCath's 4-4 defense. Campbell County and Cincinnati McNicholas had some success running the spread read-option attack. The Camels ran for 302 yards on 42 carries for an average of 7.2 a carry.
"No matter how you want to 'skin the cat,' the fact is we have had some players over the last three games who have really been playing out of their natural position," Eviston said. "In no way is that an excuse for poor execution, but due to our onslaught of injuries, we have had to put players in positions that they are not necessarily built for. We have and will continue to coach guys up on proper technique and making correct reads to be successful."
NewCath will face another balanced, shotgun spread offense against Simon Kenton. Led by junior quarterback Brennan Kuntz and running back Andrew Sampson, the Pioneers have run for 515 yards and passed for 831. Kuntz has completed 47-of-73 passes for 732 yards and seven touchdowns and ran for 171. Sampson has run for 298 yards on 56 attempts with six touchdowns for an average of 5.3 a contest.
Eleven different receivers have catches for Simon Kenton. Sampson and Grant Wassom lead the way with 10 each. Sampson has 183 yards and one touchdown reception and Wassom has 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Simon Kenton has outscored opponents 114-38 for an averge of 28.5-9.5. The Pioneers had two close wins over Danville, 12-7 and Beechwood, 21-17 before smashing Pulaski County, 50-7.
The Thoroughbreds have been outscored an average of 30.3-25.7. They have 465 yards rushing and 507 passing. Dylan Hayes leads NewCath with 292 yards rushing on 53 carries for an average of 5.5 per attempt.
NewCath has improved passing the ball each week out of its spread offense that will face a 3-4 or 3-5 Pioneer defensive scheme. Quarterback Josh Cain has completed 45-of-72 passes for 507 yards with two touchdowns. Mac Franzen leads NewCath with 14 catches for 202 yards and Pete Collopy has 10 for 88.
"For a senior, Josh (Cain) is still inexperienced when it comes to the quarterback position, but I feel he has done a tremendous job for the most part," Eviston said. "He has all the tools to be one of the top quarterbacks in the area and I think that will continue to shine through as he gains more experience and becomes more comfortable in that role. With that, our receivers continue to improve on their understanding of the offense as well and that will only help our passing game as we we roll on into our season."
Game time is 7 p.m. at Newport Stadium.