NCC, Lloyd square off in district opener

 

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic running back Jacob Smith (with ball) heads toward the end zone in Friday's game at Dixie Heights. The Thoroughbreds open Class 2A, District 6 action against Lloyd Memorial at 7 p.m. Friday.

 



By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The scene looks somewhat familiar for a good reason.

It was about a year ago on Oct. 6, 2012. The Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts came to Newport with a nice 6-1 record while the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds stood 2-4.

But the Thoroughbreds ran away with a 63-22 Class 2A, District 6 victory on their way to another district championship, an 11-4 record and ultimately a nine-game winning streak that led to their fifth state championship. NewCath holds a perfect 20-0 mark in regular season play against district competition since football in Kentucky expanded from four to six classes in 2007. The Thoroughbreds have won 23 straight regular season contests against district competition.

The Thoroughbreds (1-4) are hoping for more of that in addition to getting back to their winning ways. They play host to a 3-2 Juggernaut squad that has improved in recent years. Game time is 7 p.m. in Newport.

Injuries mostly on the offensive and defensive lines have hurt the Thoroughbreds big-time in their four-game losing streak. Opponents have dominated the line of scrimmage during that time. But NewCath hopes to have players like Stephen Brooks, Logan Neff, Jacob Wieland and Matt Lenz back back Friday. But NewCath Head Coach Wagner said those decisions will be made around Thursday when they see the doctors.

“We’re still preparing as if they will not be there,” Wagner said. “But they are out running around. They’re not allowed to do any hitting. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Lloyd Memorial comes into the game on a two-game winning streak. The Juggernauts own road wins out of Class 2A, District 5 opponents Owen County (34-7) and Gallatin County (28-0). The Juggernauts have a new head coach in former Boone County Offensive Coordinator Eric Turner. Last year’s head coach Josh Stratton took a job at New Richmond (Ohio).

“We have talked each game about next up,” Turner said. “Yeah, it’s NCC and (the Throughbreds) are a state champion caliber team. We have talked about as a team what our goals are for the season and what we have to do to achieve those goals. We have to have a great week of practice first and then play with everything we have on Friday. We believe if we do that, we will have no regrets.”

Lloyd Memorial has upgraded its schedule this year facing three 4A opponents after facing no one higher than Class 3A last year. Two of those 4A opponents have handed them two losses in Marion County (26-18) and Covington Holmes (34-28). The Juggernauts play Pendleton County later in the year.

Like last year, the four losses came to bigger schools for NewCath. The Thoroughbreds have been outscored 144-93 and outgained 1,905-1,013 in total offense.

“We have a lot of things to get better at (offensively),” said Dave Schneider, NewCath Offensive Coordinator. “I can’t put a finger on it to tell you the truth. We’ve been so inconsistent and have not executed a lot of things very well.”

The Thoroughbreds will run their Spread offense against a 3-5 Juggernaut defense. Senior quarterback Mac Franzen has completed 39-of-75 passes for 543 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. His top target has been 6-foot-5-inch wide receiver Tommy Donnelly with 10 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown.

“They give us quite a few match-up problems,” Turner said. “Donnelly is just one for sure. We have to remain disciplined on defense and each player must do his job. One breakdown and NCC will take advantage of that.”

Franzen and sophomore Jacob Smith lead the NewCath rushing attack. Last year’s top running back Dylan Hayes did a wonderful job following the NewCath linemen. Smith and the other NC runners hope to do a lot more of that this year.

“It’s about patience (in the backfield),” Smith said. “You have to watch what’s happening in front of you and learn what play is going on. You have to watch what the linemen are doing and make sure you hit the hole right.”

The Juggernauts will throw a mixture of formations at the Thoroughbreds. They ran a spread offense out of the shotgun last year. Senior Brian Warren had led the Juggernaut rushing attack before going out for the season with an injury at Owen County.

Turner said the Juggernauts lost a couple other key players to injuries at Owen County. But he likes how senior Jared Gabbard and junior Hayden Molitor have picked up their games. Both are listed as quarterbacks offensively and play in the secondary on defense.

NewCath will throw out its vaunted 4-4 defense. Senior linebackers Jack Sutkamp and Kalvin Moore led the Thoroughbreds there. They also help earn some big yardage on the ground.

“We’re just concentrating on getting better,” Wagner said. “We’re trying to eliminate all the other stuff and pay attention to what we’re supposed to pay attention to.”

NewCath leads the all-time series against Lloyd Memorial, 30-6. The Thoroughbreds have won 15 in a row over the Juggernauts dating back to a 31-29 loss on the last game of the 1991 regular season.