09-02-2011, 06:28 PM
Beechwood (1-0) at Holmes (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Tom Ellis Stadium, Covington.
WHAT TO WATCH: Two teams coming off great defensive performances a week ago. Class A Beechwood shut out Class 6A Simon Kenton 28-0, holding the Pioneers to 178 yards of offense. Holmes held Scott to just 202 yards of offense in its 19-12 win last week. Beechwood's shifty senior tailback Cameron Vocke rushed for 101 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown and first-year starting quarterback Taylor Davis completed 6 of 12 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
BOTTOM LINE: Beechwood might be a Class A school, but it appears talented enough to be able to compete with just about team in the state and should be able to move to 2-0.
Campbell Co. (0-2) vs. Newport Cent. Cath. (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. today at Newport Stadium.
WHAT TO WATCH: Newport Central Catholic has already defeated one Class 6A school this season (Dixie Heights) and it certainly has the firepower to do it again to the Class 6A Camels. Senior quarterback Brady Hightchew leads a potent offense and has thrown for more than 400 yards and rushed for almost 200 yards already. The NewCath defense limited Dixie and McNicholas to one offensive touchdown each in the first two games.
BOTTOM LINE: Campbell County is coming off a tough 27-26 loss to Milford, but it will be at least another week before Stephen Lickert records his first win as Camels coach as the Thoroughbreds have too much on both sides of the ball.
Cooper (0-2) at Boone County (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Owen Hauck Stadium/Irv Goode Field in Florence.
WHAT TO WATCH: Two good defensive teams. Boone County's defense has been stellar in its first two games, allowing just 13 total points and 425 total yards in wins over Southwestern and Conner. Cooper's defense played well against Ryle in the opener before tiring and slowed explosive Holy Cross' offense last week in a 19-10 loss. Boone County rushed for 218 yards against Conner, but senior quarterback Kameron Schwartz has been solid, too, completing 14 of 28 passes for 238 yards in the first two games.
BOTTOM LINE: Cooper's offense has sputtered in its first two games as it tries to adjust to the graduation loss of running back D'Vontae Bradley.
Bellevue (1-1) at Gallatin County (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Gallatin County High School, Warsaw.
WHAT TO WATCH: One week after shutting out Walton-Verona, Bellevue allowed almost 400 yards and 34 points in a loss to Class 2A Newport. It faces another Class 2A team with an offense that's off to a good start. Gallatin County scored 83 points in its two wins over Class A Ludlow and Berea.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a good test for both teams, as this will be the best team Gallatin County has faced. Bellevue hung tough with Newport, allowing just 13 points over the final three quarters after falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter.
Newport (1-1) at Breathitt County (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Mike Holcomb Athletic Complex, Jackson.
WHAT TO WATCH: Class 3A Breathitt County is consistently one of the top programs in the state in its class and was runner-up in Class 3A in 2008. The Bobcats have rolled to easy wins over Estill County (53-6) and Letcher County Central (35-14) on the play of junior quarterback Richard Trent (19 of 29 passing for 388 yards and four touchdowns) and senior running back William Collins (303 yards rushing on only 22 carries). Newport showed little offense in its 14-8 opening loss to Frankfort, then rolled up 34 points on Bellevue last week behind junior quarterback Daylin Garland, who passed for 164 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 114 yards.
BOTTOM LINE: This an extremely tough task for Newport, but it should make the Wildcats better for Class 2A district games.
Walton-Verona (1-1) at Dayton (0-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Davis Field, Dayton.
WHAT TO WATCH: Walton-Verona bounced back nicely from its season-opening 21-0 loss at Bellevue to beat Henry County 28-6. Its defense was dominant, forcing five turnovers, including two interceptions by junior defensive back Logan Foley. Junior linebacker Cory Bennett added 10 tackles and a fumble recovery and senior linebacker Quincy Page had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. The Bearcats only had 171 yards of total offense last week, but they are going against a Dayton defense that allowed 114 points in its first two games to Holy Cross and Lloyd.
BOTTOM LINE: Dayton has lost 14 straight games dating back to 2009 and Walton-Verona's defense will make it awfully tough to break that streak, but its only win in either 2009 and 2010 came over Walton-Verona, 26-7.
Taylor (0-1) at Scott (0-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Scott High School, Taylor Mill.
WHAT TO WATCH: Scott senior running back Ryan Sowder, who touched the ball 34 times on the Eagles 55 offensive plays (27 rushes for 89 yards, five receptions for 32 yards and even two pass attempts) last week in a 19-12 loss to Holmes. The Eagles turned in a fine defensive performance behind 10 tackles each from sophomore linebackers Chris Roberts and Nick Thurza.
BOTTOM LINE: Taylor lost its opener to Lawrenceburg, Ind., 27-19, and if Sowder can make a big play or two, chances are the improving Scott defense will do enough to secure a victory.
LaSalle (1-0) at Covington Catholic (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. Saturday at Wooten Field, Park Hills.
WHAT TO WATCH: Plenty of offense. LaSalle rolled up 503 yards (270 passing from senior quarterback Dominic Capano, who threw four touchdowns, and 233 rushing, including 178 by senior running back Antonio Nelson) in its 42-21 win over Oak Hills. Lanky 6-foot-6, 173-pound wide receiver Derek Kief caught nine passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Covington Catholic scored 98 points and averaged 446.5 yards in its first two games against two Class 6A teams - Campbell County and Dixie Heights - and showed great balance, rushing for 202 yards per game and passing for 244.5 yards per game. Junior quarterback Blake Bir is 30 of 42 for 489 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions and senior running back Gabe Gray had rushed for 323 yards on only 36 carries.
BOTTOM LINE: LaSalle was pushed in its opener and led just 28-21 late in the third quarter against a mediocre team in Oak Hills, while CovCath's first two foes are a combined 0-4, so it's a tough one to call, but should be a fun one to watch.
Caverna (0-2) vs. Bishop Brossart (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at Scott High School, Taylor Mill (schedules on the KHSAA website have the game at 6 p.m., but that is incorrect).
WHAT TO WATCH: Brossart rallied from a 16-13 fourth quarter deficit for a 28-16 win over Middletown Christian last Saturday behind senior quarterback Jesse Orth. He rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-clinching score in the fourth quarter, and passed for 101 yards and another score. He is certainly the key to the Mustangs' offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Caverna lost to a solid Class A team in Eminence in its opener 30-7, then came up just short against Class 3A Adair County, which went 1-9 last season, so the Mustangs should move to 2-0.
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Tom Ellis Stadium, Covington.
WHAT TO WATCH: Two teams coming off great defensive performances a week ago. Class A Beechwood shut out Class 6A Simon Kenton 28-0, holding the Pioneers to 178 yards of offense. Holmes held Scott to just 202 yards of offense in its 19-12 win last week. Beechwood's shifty senior tailback Cameron Vocke rushed for 101 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown and first-year starting quarterback Taylor Davis completed 6 of 12 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
BOTTOM LINE: Beechwood might be a Class A school, but it appears talented enough to be able to compete with just about team in the state and should be able to move to 2-0.
Campbell Co. (0-2) vs. Newport Cent. Cath. (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. today at Newport Stadium.
WHAT TO WATCH: Newport Central Catholic has already defeated one Class 6A school this season (Dixie Heights) and it certainly has the firepower to do it again to the Class 6A Camels. Senior quarterback Brady Hightchew leads a potent offense and has thrown for more than 400 yards and rushed for almost 200 yards already. The NewCath defense limited Dixie and McNicholas to one offensive touchdown each in the first two games.
BOTTOM LINE: Campbell County is coming off a tough 27-26 loss to Milford, but it will be at least another week before Stephen Lickert records his first win as Camels coach as the Thoroughbreds have too much on both sides of the ball.
Cooper (0-2) at Boone County (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Owen Hauck Stadium/Irv Goode Field in Florence.
WHAT TO WATCH: Two good defensive teams. Boone County's defense has been stellar in its first two games, allowing just 13 total points and 425 total yards in wins over Southwestern and Conner. Cooper's defense played well against Ryle in the opener before tiring and slowed explosive Holy Cross' offense last week in a 19-10 loss. Boone County rushed for 218 yards against Conner, but senior quarterback Kameron Schwartz has been solid, too, completing 14 of 28 passes for 238 yards in the first two games.
BOTTOM LINE: Cooper's offense has sputtered in its first two games as it tries to adjust to the graduation loss of running back D'Vontae Bradley.
Bellevue (1-1) at Gallatin County (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Gallatin County High School, Warsaw.
WHAT TO WATCH: One week after shutting out Walton-Verona, Bellevue allowed almost 400 yards and 34 points in a loss to Class 2A Newport. It faces another Class 2A team with an offense that's off to a good start. Gallatin County scored 83 points in its two wins over Class A Ludlow and Berea.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a good test for both teams, as this will be the best team Gallatin County has faced. Bellevue hung tough with Newport, allowing just 13 points over the final three quarters after falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter.
Newport (1-1) at Breathitt County (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Mike Holcomb Athletic Complex, Jackson.
WHAT TO WATCH: Class 3A Breathitt County is consistently one of the top programs in the state in its class and was runner-up in Class 3A in 2008. The Bobcats have rolled to easy wins over Estill County (53-6) and Letcher County Central (35-14) on the play of junior quarterback Richard Trent (19 of 29 passing for 388 yards and four touchdowns) and senior running back William Collins (303 yards rushing on only 22 carries). Newport showed little offense in its 14-8 opening loss to Frankfort, then rolled up 34 points on Bellevue last week behind junior quarterback Daylin Garland, who passed for 164 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 114 yards.
BOTTOM LINE: This an extremely tough task for Newport, but it should make the Wildcats better for Class 2A district games.
Walton-Verona (1-1) at Dayton (0-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Davis Field, Dayton.
WHAT TO WATCH: Walton-Verona bounced back nicely from its season-opening 21-0 loss at Bellevue to beat Henry County 28-6. Its defense was dominant, forcing five turnovers, including two interceptions by junior defensive back Logan Foley. Junior linebacker Cory Bennett added 10 tackles and a fumble recovery and senior linebacker Quincy Page had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. The Bearcats only had 171 yards of total offense last week, but they are going against a Dayton defense that allowed 114 points in its first two games to Holy Cross and Lloyd.
BOTTOM LINE: Dayton has lost 14 straight games dating back to 2009 and Walton-Verona's defense will make it awfully tough to break that streak, but its only win in either 2009 and 2010 came over Walton-Verona, 26-7.
Taylor (0-1) at Scott (0-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Scott High School, Taylor Mill.
WHAT TO WATCH: Scott senior running back Ryan Sowder, who touched the ball 34 times on the Eagles 55 offensive plays (27 rushes for 89 yards, five receptions for 32 yards and even two pass attempts) last week in a 19-12 loss to Holmes. The Eagles turned in a fine defensive performance behind 10 tackles each from sophomore linebackers Chris Roberts and Nick Thurza.
BOTTOM LINE: Taylor lost its opener to Lawrenceburg, Ind., 27-19, and if Sowder can make a big play or two, chances are the improving Scott defense will do enough to secure a victory.
LaSalle (1-0) at Covington Catholic (2-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. Saturday at Wooten Field, Park Hills.
WHAT TO WATCH: Plenty of offense. LaSalle rolled up 503 yards (270 passing from senior quarterback Dominic Capano, who threw four touchdowns, and 233 rushing, including 178 by senior running back Antonio Nelson) in its 42-21 win over Oak Hills. Lanky 6-foot-6, 173-pound wide receiver Derek Kief caught nine passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Covington Catholic scored 98 points and averaged 446.5 yards in its first two games against two Class 6A teams - Campbell County and Dixie Heights - and showed great balance, rushing for 202 yards per game and passing for 244.5 yards per game. Junior quarterback Blake Bir is 30 of 42 for 489 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions and senior running back Gabe Gray had rushed for 323 yards on only 36 carries.
BOTTOM LINE: LaSalle was pushed in its opener and led just 28-21 late in the third quarter against a mediocre team in Oak Hills, while CovCath's first two foes are a combined 0-4, so it's a tough one to call, but should be a fun one to watch.
Caverna (0-2) vs. Bishop Brossart (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at Scott High School, Taylor Mill (schedules on the KHSAA website have the game at 6 p.m., but that is incorrect).
WHAT TO WATCH: Brossart rallied from a 16-13 fourth quarter deficit for a 28-16 win over Middletown Christian last Saturday behind senior quarterback Jesse Orth. He rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-clinching score in the fourth quarter, and passed for 101 yards and another score. He is certainly the key to the Mustangs' offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Caverna lost to a solid Class A team in Eminence in its opener 30-7, then came up just short against Class 3A Adair County, which went 1-9 last season, so the Mustangs should move to 2-0.