08-28-2009, 01:13 PM
Highlands (1-0) at Ryle (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle's defensive secondary - particularly Logan Carney and Zach Senvisky - held Covington Catholic to 11-of-30 passing for 103 yards and two interceptions last week. They'll have their hands full against a strong Highlands passing attack.
BOTTOM LINE: Highlands is probably out of the Raiders' league.
Shawnee (1-0) at Cooper (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Shawnee junior running back Ras'J Britton ran for three touchdowns in the Golden Eagles' first-week victory. Cooper, which allowed 255 rushing yards a game last season, should see plenty of him.
BOTTOM LINE: Cooper will be improved in Year 2 and this will be a good challenge for the young team. It's a winnable game that will make Cooper better, win or lose.
Norwood (0-0) at Campbell County (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Campbell County lost two of its biggest playmakers to graduation after last season. That means senior running back Austin Johnson, used last year as a very effective change-of-pace back, will have an increased role.
BOTTOM LINE: Norwood might be the smaller school, but the Indians return plenty of talent from last year's 7-3 team. It should be a close game.
Conner (1-0) at Scott (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: The Cougars caused six turnovers in last week's victory over Oldham County. Eric Champ, Brady Fogle and Huston Dockery are some of Conner's top defensive playmakers.
BOTTOM LINE: Conner gutted out a tough victory against Oldham County on the road last week. The Cougars should have an easier time this week.
Taylor (0-0) at Ludlow (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Rigney Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH: Ludlow quarterback Zach Stegemoller is one of the team's few skill players with real varsity experience. He'll be the Panthers' main playmaker.
BOTTOM LINE: Taylor's a slightly bigger school, but Ludlow gets the edge.
Bellevue (0-1) at Newport (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: This game will be the first look at Newport's new pistol offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Bellevue opened with a tough loss to Holy Cross. Look for the Tigers to bounce back with a victory.
Boone County (0-0) vs. Lafayette (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. Saturday at Tates Creek
WHAT TO WATCH: This game features two of the state's best running backs: Charles Quainoo of Boone County and Eric Shaw of Lafayette. Quainoo led the state in rushing during the regular season.
BOTTOM LINE: After graduating a number of key contributors, the Rebels' scrimmages suggest they haven't missed a beat. Expect them to start with a solid workman-like victory.
Covington Catholic (0-1) at Lexington Catholic (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: After struggling to defend the run in last week's loss to Ryle, the Colonels could have trouble with Greg Raglin. The senior scored four touchdowns last week.
BOTTOM LINE: Lexington Catholic is ranked second in the Associated Press Class 4A state poll. The Knights present another tall challenge on a very difficult CovCath schedule.
Dayton (0-0) vs. Pendleton County (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m. Saturday at Grant County H.S.
WHAT TO WATCH: Dayton defensive end Christian LeWallen has a chance to break school records for tackles and sacks.
BOTTOM LINE: Pendleton County enters the game with a decent chance of breaking its 13-game losing streak, but Dayton has to be considered a slight favorite.
Holy Cross (1-0) at Pikeville (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: Holy Cross quarterback Markel Walker has been a running threat since he took over the varsity position last season. For the Indians to be a statewide 2A threat, he'll need to be an accurate passer as well.
BOTTOM LINE: Holy Cross beat one solid Class 1A program (Bellevue) in Week 1. Expect the Indians to do it again.
Lloyd (0-0) vs. Holmes (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m. Saturday at Newport H.S.
WHAT TO WATCH: Lloyd running back Seth Chappie should be the team's main offensive weapon. He's also one of the team's best defensive players, so don't expect him to leave the field much.
BOTTOM LINE: Holmes gears up for its new district schedule with three games against Northern Kentucky teams. The Bulldogs should get things started with a victory.
Walton-Verona (1-0) vs. Berea (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 2 p.m. Saturday at Grant County H.S.
WHAT TO WATCH: The Bearcats allowed just 12.6 points per game last season against Class 1A competition. Last week they held Gallatin County to just seven.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't be fooled by Berea's 8-2 record in 2008. This is a winnable game for Walton-Verona.
Beechwood (0-0) vs. Dixie Heights (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: noon Saturday at Nippert Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH: Beechwood senior quarterback Matt Rigdon led the Tigers to last year's state title largely by playing smart and being tough.
BOTTOM LINE: Beechwood has beaten Dixie in each of the past three years. Considering how well Dixie played in last week's upset of Newport Central Catholic, that streak is definitely in danger.
Newport Central Catholic (0-1) vs. Simon Kenton (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Nippert Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH: Very few Northern Kentucky running backs have entered a season with as much hype as Simon Kenton senior Miles Simpson.
BOTTOM LINE: NewCath easily handled Simon Kenton in season openers the last two seasons. This year Simon Kenton will be a fairly heavy favorite.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...908280359/
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle's defensive secondary - particularly Logan Carney and Zach Senvisky - held Covington Catholic to 11-of-30 passing for 103 yards and two interceptions last week. They'll have their hands full against a strong Highlands passing attack.
BOTTOM LINE: Highlands is probably out of the Raiders' league.
Shawnee (1-0) at Cooper (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Shawnee junior running back Ras'J Britton ran for three touchdowns in the Golden Eagles' first-week victory. Cooper, which allowed 255 rushing yards a game last season, should see plenty of him.
BOTTOM LINE: Cooper will be improved in Year 2 and this will be a good challenge for the young team. It's a winnable game that will make Cooper better, win or lose.
Norwood (0-0) at Campbell County (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Campbell County lost two of its biggest playmakers to graduation after last season. That means senior running back Austin Johnson, used last year as a very effective change-of-pace back, will have an increased role.
BOTTOM LINE: Norwood might be the smaller school, but the Indians return plenty of talent from last year's 7-3 team. It should be a close game.
Conner (1-0) at Scott (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: The Cougars caused six turnovers in last week's victory over Oldham County. Eric Champ, Brady Fogle and Huston Dockery are some of Conner's top defensive playmakers.
BOTTOM LINE: Conner gutted out a tough victory against Oldham County on the road last week. The Cougars should have an easier time this week.
Taylor (0-0) at Ludlow (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Rigney Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH: Ludlow quarterback Zach Stegemoller is one of the team's few skill players with real varsity experience. He'll be the Panthers' main playmaker.
BOTTOM LINE: Taylor's a slightly bigger school, but Ludlow gets the edge.
Bellevue (0-1) at Newport (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: This game will be the first look at Newport's new pistol offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Bellevue opened with a tough loss to Holy Cross. Look for the Tigers to bounce back with a victory.
Boone County (0-0) vs. Lafayette (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m. Saturday at Tates Creek
WHAT TO WATCH: This game features two of the state's best running backs: Charles Quainoo of Boone County and Eric Shaw of Lafayette. Quainoo led the state in rushing during the regular season.
BOTTOM LINE: After graduating a number of key contributors, the Rebels' scrimmages suggest they haven't missed a beat. Expect them to start with a solid workman-like victory.
Covington Catholic (0-1) at Lexington Catholic (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: After struggling to defend the run in last week's loss to Ryle, the Colonels could have trouble with Greg Raglin. The senior scored four touchdowns last week.
BOTTOM LINE: Lexington Catholic is ranked second in the Associated Press Class 4A state poll. The Knights present another tall challenge on a very difficult CovCath schedule.
Dayton (0-0) vs. Pendleton County (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m. Saturday at Grant County H.S.
WHAT TO WATCH: Dayton defensive end Christian LeWallen has a chance to break school records for tackles and sacks.
BOTTOM LINE: Pendleton County enters the game with a decent chance of breaking its 13-game losing streak, but Dayton has to be considered a slight favorite.
Holy Cross (1-0) at Pikeville (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: Holy Cross quarterback Markel Walker has been a running threat since he took over the varsity position last season. For the Indians to be a statewide 2A threat, he'll need to be an accurate passer as well.
BOTTOM LINE: Holy Cross beat one solid Class 1A program (Bellevue) in Week 1. Expect the Indians to do it again.
Lloyd (0-0) vs. Holmes (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m. Saturday at Newport H.S.
WHAT TO WATCH: Lloyd running back Seth Chappie should be the team's main offensive weapon. He's also one of the team's best defensive players, so don't expect him to leave the field much.
BOTTOM LINE: Holmes gears up for its new district schedule with three games against Northern Kentucky teams. The Bulldogs should get things started with a victory.
Walton-Verona (1-0) vs. Berea (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 2 p.m. Saturday at Grant County H.S.
WHAT TO WATCH: The Bearcats allowed just 12.6 points per game last season against Class 1A competition. Last week they held Gallatin County to just seven.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't be fooled by Berea's 8-2 record in 2008. This is a winnable game for Walton-Verona.
Beechwood (0-0) vs. Dixie Heights (1-0)
WHEN/WHERE: noon Saturday at Nippert Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH: Beechwood senior quarterback Matt Rigdon led the Tigers to last year's state title largely by playing smart and being tough.
BOTTOM LINE: Beechwood has beaten Dixie in each of the past three years. Considering how well Dixie played in last week's upset of Newport Central Catholic, that streak is definitely in danger.
Newport Central Catholic (0-1) vs. Simon Kenton (0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Nippert Stadium
WHAT TO WATCH: Very few Northern Kentucky running backs have entered a season with as much hype as Simon Kenton senior Miles Simpson.
BOTTOM LINE: NewCath easily handled Simon Kenton in season openers the last two seasons. This year Simon Kenton will be a fairly heavy favorite.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...908280359/