Cooper shuts out NewCath, 31-0

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The new season did not get off to the start the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbred football team hoped for.

The host Cooper Jaguars (2-0) shut out the Thoroughbreds, 31-0 in their season-opener in Union. NewCath’s originally scheduled game was on Aug. 23 at Ashland. But it was rained out.

Cooper outgained NewCath, 341-147 in total offense. The Jaguars, led by 1996 NewCath alum Randy Borchers, have allowed just three points in their first two games. They opened the season with a 12-3 win over county rival Ryle.

“We were putrid,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “I can’t think of any other word to use. We have a long way to go from personnel to coaching to everything. I know it’s the first game and you have to be realistic. But you have to be able to do something offensively. We’ll watch the tape and get better.”

The Thoroughbreds finished Class 2A state runner-up last year after winning the state championship in 2012. The Jaguars finished state Class 5A runner-up to Bowling Green in 2012.

The Thoroughbreds ran for just 34 yards on 27 carries and quarterbacks Erik Anderson and Patrick Henschen combined to complete just 11-of-26 passes for 113 yards and two interceptions. Senior wide receiver Brandon Gray had six catches for 53 yards.

Cooper also beat NewCath last year scoring the same amount of points. The Jaguars won it 31-22 in the Skyline Crosstown Showdown at Dixie Heights.

NewCath knew it had to contain Cooper junior running back Torey Cordell-Armstrong. Cordell-Armstrong rushed for 124 yards on 15 carries for an average of about 8.2 yards per touch.

But the Jaguars showed balance in the win. Senior quarterback Billy Prickett completed 13-of-15 passes for 178 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for another. Junior Chad Michels had five catches for 69 yards and a score.

Cooper scored once in the first quarter. Prickett completed a 49-yard touchdown pass to Michels with 37 seconds left and the kick failed leaving the Jaguars up 6-0.

“I thought we played decent defensively,” Wagner said. “We had them in third-and-long. They were getting ready to punt. We had kids in position. Suddenly, (Michels) comes down with the ball. You can’t give up big plays.”

The Jaguars extended their lead to 17-0 at halftime. Prickett completed a 5-yard pass to Dante Hendricks with 4:18 left before completing the two-point conversion to Clay Centers to put Cooper up 14-0. Mitchell Hollifield then hit a field goal as time expired.

The Jaguars did not score again until the fourth quarter. Prickett completed a 34-yard touchdown to Cole Willging with 11:45 left in the game before scoring from nine yards out with 4:21 left. Hollifield added both extra points.

Cooper did have one turnover. The Jaguars lost 1-of-2 fumbles and the Thoroughbreds did not lose any.

NewCath will try to rebound Friday at Newport Stadium against the rival Campbell County Camels (1-1). Game time is 7 p.m.