Thoroughbreds run away from Wildcats, 49-0

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The seventh-ranked Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team wanted to win consecutive games for the first time this year.

They did that with a 49-0 thumping of the in-town rival Newport Wildcats on Friday in the Fireman’s Bell. The Thoroughbreds moved back to .500 at 4-4 overall and 3-0 in Class 2A, District 6 action. The Wildcats fell to 3-6 and 1-2.

“We played well from the very first play through the final horn,” said Eddie Eviston, NewCath head coach. “I think our kids were focused and into it. It was good to see.”

NewCath moved to 10-0 since Eviston took over as head coach in 2010 against district opponents during the regular season. The Thoroughbreds have also won 22 in a row against district competition during the regular season going back to 2006 and 14 in a row against Newport dating back to 1999.

The game finished quick. NewCath scored 21 in the first quarter and added 28 more in the second to go up 49-0 at halftime and force the running clock. The running clock comes into play when teams lead by 45 points or more at halftime.

The Thoroughbreds outgained the Wildcats, 319-198 in total offense, including 204-153 on the ground. Dylan Hayes again led NewCath on the ground with 12 carries for 125 yards and three touchdowns for an overage of just more than 10 yards a carry. Teammate Mason Myers had two carries for 39 yards and two touchdowns.

NewCath quarterback Josh Cain completed 7-of-10 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Dan Ruwe led the Thoroughbreds with two catches for 68 yards.

“We’re getting more balanced offensively,” Eviston said. “We have some guys running the ball well. Josh (Cain) is coming along. It’s still his first year as a (starting quarterback). It’s good to see as we gear up toward the end of the season and into the playoffs.”

Defensively, NewCath focused on Wildcat running back Daylin Garland. Garland had just 43 yards on 16 carries and completed just 1-of-3 passes for a yard.

Highlands holds own against Diamond Spread attack

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

COVINGTON – The Highland Bluebirds football team’s defense faced a spread offense for the second consecutive week.

But it was a different spread look. The Covington Holmes Bulldogs came out in the Diamond spread look unlike the traditional one-back formation that Pendleton County employed last week.

The Bulldogs lined up either quarterbacks Desean Peterson or Frederick Vickers in the shotgun and had two running backs beside them and one behind them in an offense similar to what the University of Nevada employs. Six different players ran the ball for Holmes, who came in without injured quarterback Rashawn Coston.

“Basically, we just had someone key the quarterback and watch his every move,” said Jehad Henderson, Highlands senior linebacker. “When he ran to one side, you came at an angle and tried to (tackle) him the best you could.”

Highlands claims 16th district crown in 17 years

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

COVINGTON – Fans and outsiders see things like overall program wins and consecutive state championships.

But the Highlands Bluebirds football team players and coaches will be the first to say they look at accomplishing things on a day-to-day or year-to-year basis. This year’s Bluebirds can now say they have an undisputed Class 4A, District 7 championship after a 57-28 victory over the host Covington Holmes Bulldogs at Tom Ellis Field on Friday.

“We were looking to play really well in this game,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Co-Head Coach. “The guys were ready to play and we jumped on them right from the start.”

The Bluebirds (8-0 overall, 4-0 district) have won six consecutive district championships and 16 in the previous 17 seasons. The only year they did not win a title was 2006 when Covington Catholic beat them on a last-second touchdown pass.

Highlands' Daley verbally commits to Thomas More

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Highlands senior Jesse Daley has verbally committed to play basketball at nearby Thomas More College next year.

Daley stands at 5-foot-10-inches and is a two-year starter. She averaged 10 points and 5.61 rebounds for the Ladybirds last year. Daley also hit 66.3 percent from the free-throw line and 45.3 percent from the field as a junior last year.

Daley becomes the second player from this year’s team to verbally commit to the next level. Teammate and fellow ‘Twin Tower’ Leah Schaefer verbally committed to Xavier University in the spring.

The Ladybirds finished 17-16 last year. They lost to Newport Central Catholic in the 36th District championship before losing 13-8 to Notre Dame in the 9th Region quarterfinals.

Jeff Hans is entering his second season coaching the Saints. They finished 25-5 last year and 17-1 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. The Saints also won their seventh straight PAC regular-season title, sixth consecutive PAC Championship Tournament title and made a sixth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. They lost in the second round, 87-50 to 16th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan.

Daley also plays goalkeeper for the Highlands Ladybirds soccer team and serves as a cheerleader at football games.

Throughbreds claim second straight district title

Photo by G. Michael Graham. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds won their second straight district title with a 1-0 win over Highlands at Tower Park on Thursday.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

There are many reasons to throw out records once the postseason comes around.

One is the return of key players from injuries.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds soccer team played competitive soccer all year, but had a hard time finding victories because of injuries, defensive mistakes and an inability to score goals. That changed Thursday in NewCath’s 1-0 District 36 victory over the Highlands Bluebirds at Tower Park. Both teams advance to the 9th Region Tournament.

This marked the second consecutive district title for the Thoroughbreds. They beat Bishop Brossart for the 19th District title last year before beating Covington Catholic, 1-0 to win the 10th Region crown and losing 1-0 to Montgomery County in the first round of the state tournament.

NewCath also beat Highlands for the first time since 2004. The Bluebirds went 11-0-2 in the last 13 meeting against the Thoroughbreds, including a 2-0 win on Sept. 22 at Tower Park.

Lady Breds down Ladybirds for first district title since 2005

Photo by G. Michael Graham. The Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds soccer team won its first district title since 2005 with a 2-0 win over Highlands on Thursday at Tower Park.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Both soccer teams knew they were headed to the 9th Region Tournament.

It was just a matter of pride and momentum unlike previous years in the old 19th District with Bishop Brossart and Campbell County.

The Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds came away with both in a 2-0 victory at Tower Park on Thursday. NewCath (12-5-1 overall) won its first district championship since 2005 and snapped a run of six consecutive district titles for the Ladybirds (3-10-3). Heavy thunder and lightning forced the cancellation of the regular season meeting for the two squads.

NewCath aims for another district win in Fireman's Bell game

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The last time the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team lost to its in-town rivals came during its last losing season.

That was 1999 when the Thoroughbreds finished 4-8 including a 42-0 season-opening loss to the Newport Wildcats in the battle for the Fireman’s Bell. NewCath has won 13 in a row since that year including twice in 2007.

The Thoroughbreds have also posted double-digits in the win column every year except a 7-6 campaign in 2009. During that run, the Thoroughbreds own three state championships, three state runner-up finishes and have been to the third round of the playoffs 12 consecutive seasons.

In the two meetings since Eddie Eviston took over as head coach, NewCath has outscored Newport, 110-27. This includes a 56-14 verdict last year.