10-01-2009, 10:52 PM
Prep football: Week 6 games to see
By Ryan Ernst ⢠[email]rernst@enquirer.com[/email] ⢠October 1, 2009
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No. 5 Boone County (2-3) at No. 4 Conner (5-1)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Boone County's running attack got into a pretty good groove in last week's win over Campbell County. Senior RB Charles Quainoo and junior RB Jordan Oppenheimer combined for 343 yards and five touchdowns on 45 carries. Expect both players to get plenty of carries in order to keep the ball away from Conner's quick-strike offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Teams are going to have to run the gauntlet to earn homefield advantage in Northern Kentucky's 6A district. Simon Kenton has a leg up in the race. The loser of this game will be in a very tough spot.
Bishop Brossart (3-2) at Bellevue (3-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Brossart two-way star Chris Bowman is the most physically-imposing player the Mustangs have had in their short time as a program. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior played offensive line after the Mustangs suffered some early-season injuries. Now he plays defensive end and is one of the team's most effective running backs.
BOTTOM LINE: Brossart gave up 35 unanswered points down the stretch of Monday night's loss at Ludlow. Expect the Tigers to pick up where the Panthers left off.
No. 6 Dixie Heights (3-3) at No. 1 Highlands (6-0)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Highlands senior Brandon Roller, back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered during last year's playoffs, is coming off his best game of the season. The middle linebacker made plays all over the field in last week's win over St. Xavier. Against a multi-faceted offense like Dixie's, look for Roller to show his wide array of skills.
BOTTOM LINE: Even without standout QB Will Bardo, who was injured in last week's win over St. X, the Bluebirds are the best team in Northern Kentucky. They should win easily.
Ludlow (3-2) at Dayton (0-5)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Sophomore Chris Yates has emerged as one of Ludlow's top playmakers. He's dangerous in the running game, the passing game and on special teams. Look for the Panthers to get him the ball any way it can.
BOTTOM LINE: Dayton has lost its last two games by a combined score of 105-13. This week should be much closer, but Ludlow still is a slight favorite.
Newport Central Catholic (1-5) at Newport (2-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Both teams run a version of the pistol offense, a modified shotgun formation. Both offenses are predicated on the quarterback making good, quick decisions. Look for the play of NewCath sophomore Brady Hightchew and Newport junior Demetri Brown to loom large in the game's outcome.
BOTTOM LINE: NewCath might have five losses, but until one of those losses comes inside Northern Kentucky's Class 2A district, it is still the district's team to beat.
No. 3 Ryle (4-1) at No. 10 Campbell County (2-3)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle junior quarterback Conner Hempel is coming off one of his best games of the season. In last week's victory over Cooper, he was 12-of-16 passing for 171 yards and two touchdowns. During the Raiders' three-game winning streak, Hempel has been very efficient. He's completed 36 of 54 passes (67 percent) and thrown for 571 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Ryle's running game is good enough to win a lot of games without a passing threat. When the Raiders' quarterback plays like he's been playing, they have a pretty dynamic offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Ryle is coming off a lopsided victory in its district opener; Campbell County is coming off a lopsided loss in its district opener. Expect both trends to continue.
Scott (1-4) at Lloyd (3-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Lloyd receivers Trevor Gregory, Mark McGuire and Charles Johnson have become a pretty solid pass-catching trio. The three seniors have combined for 37 catches, 555 yards and three touchdowns. Most of it has come during the Juggernauts' three-game winning streak.
BOTTOM LINE: On paper, this looks like one of the area's closest games this week.
No. 2 Simon Kenton (4-1) at Cooper (2-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Simon Kenton enters the game averaging 44.2 points per game, the most in Northern Kentucky. Senior running back Miles Simpson is the main threat; he's already scored 15 touchdowns. But the Pioneers have proven they can spread the ball around. Eight different players have scored offensive touchdowns for Simon Kenton.
BOTTOM LINE: Cooper has allowed more points every week - 20, 27, 28, 36, 56. Simon Kenton could put up a very big number.
Franklin County (1-4) at No. 8 Holmes (5-0)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Holmes quarterback Jesse Jenson hasn't been terribly flashy, but he has been effective. He's produced six touchdowns. He rushes for 86 yards a game. He passes for 75 yards a game. But he's thrown just two interceptions and he's led the Bulldogs to a perfect record.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't be fooled by Franklin County's record. It's played some tough teams. Still, the host Bulldogs have a slight edge.
No. 9 Beechwood (2-3) at Walton-Verona (1-4)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: Beechwood senior tight end Jake Maus is coming off his best offensive game of the season. In last week's win over Dayton he caught two passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Considering he'll be a matchup problem for most Class 1A teams, expect Maus to start getting more and more balls thrown his way.
BOTTOM LINE: Walton-Verona is in its first season of district competition. Beechwood is a perennial state contender.
Louisville Holy Cross (3-3) at Holy Cross (2-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: Covington Holy Cross senior Markel Walker leads the team in four statistical categories: rushing, passing, tackles and interceptions.
BOTTOM LINE: It's a solid matchup. Win or lose, the Indians have prepared themselves for district competition with a tough non-district slate: Bellevue, Pikeville, Beechwood, Conner, Bishop Ready and now Holy Cross.
NKY.com
By Ryan Ernst ⢠[email]rernst@enquirer.com[/email] ⢠October 1, 2009
⢠⢠Print ⢠ShareThis ⢠Type: A A ⢠Click-2-Listen
No. 5 Boone County (2-3) at No. 4 Conner (5-1)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Boone County's running attack got into a pretty good groove in last week's win over Campbell County. Senior RB Charles Quainoo and junior RB Jordan Oppenheimer combined for 343 yards and five touchdowns on 45 carries. Expect both players to get plenty of carries in order to keep the ball away from Conner's quick-strike offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Teams are going to have to run the gauntlet to earn homefield advantage in Northern Kentucky's 6A district. Simon Kenton has a leg up in the race. The loser of this game will be in a very tough spot.
Bishop Brossart (3-2) at Bellevue (3-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Brossart two-way star Chris Bowman is the most physically-imposing player the Mustangs have had in their short time as a program. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior played offensive line after the Mustangs suffered some early-season injuries. Now he plays defensive end and is one of the team's most effective running backs.
BOTTOM LINE: Brossart gave up 35 unanswered points down the stretch of Monday night's loss at Ludlow. Expect the Tigers to pick up where the Panthers left off.
No. 6 Dixie Heights (3-3) at No. 1 Highlands (6-0)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Highlands senior Brandon Roller, back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered during last year's playoffs, is coming off his best game of the season. The middle linebacker made plays all over the field in last week's win over St. Xavier. Against a multi-faceted offense like Dixie's, look for Roller to show his wide array of skills.
BOTTOM LINE: Even without standout QB Will Bardo, who was injured in last week's win over St. X, the Bluebirds are the best team in Northern Kentucky. They should win easily.
Ludlow (3-2) at Dayton (0-5)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Sophomore Chris Yates has emerged as one of Ludlow's top playmakers. He's dangerous in the running game, the passing game and on special teams. Look for the Panthers to get him the ball any way it can.
BOTTOM LINE: Dayton has lost its last two games by a combined score of 105-13. This week should be much closer, but Ludlow still is a slight favorite.
Newport Central Catholic (1-5) at Newport (2-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Both teams run a version of the pistol offense, a modified shotgun formation. Both offenses are predicated on the quarterback making good, quick decisions. Look for the play of NewCath sophomore Brady Hightchew and Newport junior Demetri Brown to loom large in the game's outcome.
BOTTOM LINE: NewCath might have five losses, but until one of those losses comes inside Northern Kentucky's Class 2A district, it is still the district's team to beat.
No. 3 Ryle (4-1) at No. 10 Campbell County (2-3)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle junior quarterback Conner Hempel is coming off one of his best games of the season. In last week's victory over Cooper, he was 12-of-16 passing for 171 yards and two touchdowns. During the Raiders' three-game winning streak, Hempel has been very efficient. He's completed 36 of 54 passes (67 percent) and thrown for 571 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Ryle's running game is good enough to win a lot of games without a passing threat. When the Raiders' quarterback plays like he's been playing, they have a pretty dynamic offense.
BOTTOM LINE: Ryle is coming off a lopsided victory in its district opener; Campbell County is coming off a lopsided loss in its district opener. Expect both trends to continue.
Scott (1-4) at Lloyd (3-2)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Lloyd receivers Trevor Gregory, Mark McGuire and Charles Johnson have become a pretty solid pass-catching trio. The three seniors have combined for 37 catches, 555 yards and three touchdowns. Most of it has come during the Juggernauts' three-game winning streak.
BOTTOM LINE: On paper, this looks like one of the area's closest games this week.
No. 2 Simon Kenton (4-1) at Cooper (2-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Simon Kenton enters the game averaging 44.2 points per game, the most in Northern Kentucky. Senior running back Miles Simpson is the main threat; he's already scored 15 touchdowns. But the Pioneers have proven they can spread the ball around. Eight different players have scored offensive touchdowns for Simon Kenton.
BOTTOM LINE: Cooper has allowed more points every week - 20, 27, 28, 36, 56. Simon Kenton could put up a very big number.
Franklin County (1-4) at No. 8 Holmes (5-0)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHAT TO WATCH: Holmes quarterback Jesse Jenson hasn't been terribly flashy, but he has been effective. He's produced six touchdowns. He rushes for 86 yards a game. He passes for 75 yards a game. But he's thrown just two interceptions and he's led the Bulldogs to a perfect record.
BOTTOM LINE: Don't be fooled by Franklin County's record. It's played some tough teams. Still, the host Bulldogs have a slight edge.
No. 9 Beechwood (2-3) at Walton-Verona (1-4)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: Beechwood senior tight end Jake Maus is coming off his best offensive game of the season. In last week's win over Dayton he caught two passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Considering he'll be a matchup problem for most Class 1A teams, expect Maus to start getting more and more balls thrown his way.
BOTTOM LINE: Walton-Verona is in its first season of district competition. Beechwood is a perennial state contender.
Louisville Holy Cross (3-3) at Holy Cross (2-3)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHAT TO WATCH: Covington Holy Cross senior Markel Walker leads the team in four statistical categories: rushing, passing, tackles and interceptions.
BOTTOM LINE: It's a solid matchup. Win or lose, the Indians have prepared themselves for district competition with a tough non-district slate: Bellevue, Pikeville, Beechwood, Conner, Bishop Ready and now Holy Cross.
NKY.com