10-08-2010, 08:56 AM
Boone County (2-4, 0-2) At Cooper (2-4, 0-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 2855 Longbranch Road, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: Cooper running back Dvontae Bradley is coming off his toughest outing of the season - a 20-carry 46-yard performance in last week's loss to Simon Kenton. The game marked the first time this season the senior had been held without a touchdown. It will be interesting to see how Bradley and the Cooper offensive line respond this week against a team that has been fairly stout against the run. The Rebels allow an average of just 141 yards a game on the ground.
BOTTOM LINE: Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The loser will be virtually out of postseason contention. Cooper has a slight edge.
No. 4 Newport Central Catholic (6-1, 1-0) At Holy Cross (2-4, 0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 2500 Madison Ave., Covington
WHAT TO WATCH: Holy Cross senior wide receiver Josh Jasper has been a matchup problem for most teams this year. He has caught 34 passes for 630 yards and six touchdowns. He presents a challenge, even for a NewCath defense that allows just 102 passing yards a game and has intercepted 10 passes.
BOTTOM LINE: These two teams are clearly the class of Northern Kentucky's Class 2A district, but NewCath is a substantial favorite.
No. 3 Simon Kenton (5-1) At No. 2 Ryle (5-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 10379 U.S. 42, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: Simon Kenton, which has struggled all season to find a backfield complement to quarterback Chad Lawrence, got a big game last week from Danny Wetter. The senior rushed seven times for 104 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Cooper. If he can continue to be a threat in the running game, Ryle won't be able to key on Lawrence quite as much.
BOTTOM LINE: These two have been pegged as the top teams in Northern Kentucky's Class 6A district since the preseason. But in what order? It's a toss-up. Simon Kenton has looked more impressive lately, but the game is at Ryle. Pick 'em.
No. 9 Campbell County (2-4, 1-1) At No. 10 Conner (4-3, 1-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 8000 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria
WHAT TO WATCH: Statistically, this game features the top two passing quarterbacks in Northern Kentucky. Conner senior Cy Smith has thrown for 1,514 yards. Campbell County senior Michael Kremer has thrown for 1,460. Both players have highly capable receiving corps. Campbell has four players with more than 200 yards receiving. Conner has three players with more than 300 yards receiving.
BOTTOM LINE: Comparing scores is highly unscientific, but in the past two weeks Campbell County and Conner have beaten Boone County by nine points and six points respectively. This one could go either way.
No.7 Covington Catholic (3-3, 0-0) At Scott (2-4, 0-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 5400 Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill
WHAT TO WATCH: At the beginning of the season, it appeared that CovCath would go with a running-back-by-committee approach. In its past three games, junior Gabe Gray emerged from the pack. During the last three games Gray has rushed 36 times for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Eagles, a team that gave up 212 rushing yards in its district opener to Dixie Heights, Gray could have a big game.
BOTTOM LINE: Covington Catholic is 20-0 all-time against Scott. The streak doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
Dayton (0-6, 0-2) At Bellevue (2-4, 1-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; Gilligan Stadium, Bellevue
WHAT TO WATCH: Bellevue running back D.J. Slater is coming off a 154-yard, three-touchdown performance in last week's victory over Bishop Brossart. The Tigers should be able to open holes for the senior against every one of their district opponents not named Beechwood. Expect him to come through with another solid performance.
BOTTOM LINE: Bellevue made a statement with last week's victory over Bishop Brossart. The Tigers have put themselves in a good position to host a playoff game, but first they must take care of their biggest rival. They should.
No. 8 Beechwood (3-3, 2-0) At Ludlow (2-4, 1-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; Rigney Stadium, Ludlow
WHAT TO WATCH: Through two district games, Beechwood has allowed just two completions for 35 yards and has picked off a pass. That doesn't bode well for Ludlow, which has completed just 41 percent of its passes and has thrown 13 interceptions to eight touchdowns. Expect the Tigers to force Ludlow into passing situations and then cause a few turnovers.
BOTTOM LINE: Despite taking some lumps against a tough non-district schedule, Beechwood is still far and away the class of Northern Kentucky's Class 1A district. Expect the Tigers to easily run the table.
Lloyd (1-5, 0-0) At Newport (3-3, 0-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 900 E. Sixth St., Newport
WHAT TO WATCH: Lloyd has been victimized by dual-threat quarterbacks, and few quarterbacks in the area are as threatening via the run and pass as Newport senior Demetri Brown. He's averaging 184 passing yards and 113 rushing yards a game. He's thrown for 15 touchdowns and run for seven, and he should put up big numbers today.
BOTTOM LINE: Before last week's loss to NewCath, Newport had been playing very well. The Wildcats won three of the previous four games, all by a wide margin. They should get back on track tonight.
No. 6 Holmes (6-0) At No. 5 Dixie Heights (3-4)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 3010 Dixie Highway, Edgewood
WHAT TO WATCH: Not only does the Holmes defense cause turnovers - 12 in six games - but it turns those turnovers into points. The Bulldogs have returned two interceptions and two fumbles for touchdowns. Considering the Colonels have struggled with turnovers, don't be surprised if the Bulldogs make a big game-changing play with a takeaway.
BOTTOM LINE: It might be a non-district game, but it's still one of the week's best matchups. Three of Dixie's four losses have come down to the game's final minutes. Expect the Colonels to finally pull off a close victory.
Walton-Verona (3-3) At Bishop Brossart (5-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 900 E. Sixth St., Newport
WHAT TO WATCH: Walton-Verona has done a pretty good job of splitting carries between the running back trio of Andrew Baumgartner, Nolan Brown and Zach MacAdams. The three have combined for 242 carries, 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns. All should touch the ball Saturday.
BOTTOM LINE: The two teams have one common opponent: Bellevue Walton-Verona beat the Tigers 34-21 two weeks ago. Brossart is coming off a 34-31 loss to the Tigers. Walton-Verona gets the nod.
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 2855 Longbranch Road, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: Cooper running back Dvontae Bradley is coming off his toughest outing of the season - a 20-carry 46-yard performance in last week's loss to Simon Kenton. The game marked the first time this season the senior had been held without a touchdown. It will be interesting to see how Bradley and the Cooper offensive line respond this week against a team that has been fairly stout against the run. The Rebels allow an average of just 141 yards a game on the ground.
BOTTOM LINE: Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The loser will be virtually out of postseason contention. Cooper has a slight edge.
No. 4 Newport Central Catholic (6-1, 1-0) At Holy Cross (2-4, 0-0)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 2500 Madison Ave., Covington
WHAT TO WATCH: Holy Cross senior wide receiver Josh Jasper has been a matchup problem for most teams this year. He has caught 34 passes for 630 yards and six touchdowns. He presents a challenge, even for a NewCath defense that allows just 102 passing yards a game and has intercepted 10 passes.
BOTTOM LINE: These two teams are clearly the class of Northern Kentucky's Class 2A district, but NewCath is a substantial favorite.
No. 3 Simon Kenton (5-1) At No. 2 Ryle (5-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 10379 U.S. 42, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: Simon Kenton, which has struggled all season to find a backfield complement to quarterback Chad Lawrence, got a big game last week from Danny Wetter. The senior rushed seven times for 104 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Cooper. If he can continue to be a threat in the running game, Ryle won't be able to key on Lawrence quite as much.
BOTTOM LINE: These two have been pegged as the top teams in Northern Kentucky's Class 6A district since the preseason. But in what order? It's a toss-up. Simon Kenton has looked more impressive lately, but the game is at Ryle. Pick 'em.
No. 9 Campbell County (2-4, 1-1) At No. 10 Conner (4-3, 1-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 8000 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria
WHAT TO WATCH: Statistically, this game features the top two passing quarterbacks in Northern Kentucky. Conner senior Cy Smith has thrown for 1,514 yards. Campbell County senior Michael Kremer has thrown for 1,460. Both players have highly capable receiving corps. Campbell has four players with more than 200 yards receiving. Conner has three players with more than 300 yards receiving.
BOTTOM LINE: Comparing scores is highly unscientific, but in the past two weeks Campbell County and Conner have beaten Boone County by nine points and six points respectively. This one could go either way.
No.7 Covington Catholic (3-3, 0-0) At Scott (2-4, 0-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 5400 Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill
WHAT TO WATCH: At the beginning of the season, it appeared that CovCath would go with a running-back-by-committee approach. In its past three games, junior Gabe Gray emerged from the pack. During the last three games Gray has rushed 36 times for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Eagles, a team that gave up 212 rushing yards in its district opener to Dixie Heights, Gray could have a big game.
BOTTOM LINE: Covington Catholic is 20-0 all-time against Scott. The streak doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
Dayton (0-6, 0-2) At Bellevue (2-4, 1-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; Gilligan Stadium, Bellevue
WHAT TO WATCH: Bellevue running back D.J. Slater is coming off a 154-yard, three-touchdown performance in last week's victory over Bishop Brossart. The Tigers should be able to open holes for the senior against every one of their district opponents not named Beechwood. Expect him to come through with another solid performance.
BOTTOM LINE: Bellevue made a statement with last week's victory over Bishop Brossart. The Tigers have put themselves in a good position to host a playoff game, but first they must take care of their biggest rival. They should.
No. 8 Beechwood (3-3, 2-0) At Ludlow (2-4, 1-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; Rigney Stadium, Ludlow
WHAT TO WATCH: Through two district games, Beechwood has allowed just two completions for 35 yards and has picked off a pass. That doesn't bode well for Ludlow, which has completed just 41 percent of its passes and has thrown 13 interceptions to eight touchdowns. Expect the Tigers to force Ludlow into passing situations and then cause a few turnovers.
BOTTOM LINE: Despite taking some lumps against a tough non-district schedule, Beechwood is still far and away the class of Northern Kentucky's Class 1A district. Expect the Tigers to easily run the table.
Lloyd (1-5, 0-0) At Newport (3-3, 0-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 900 E. Sixth St., Newport
WHAT TO WATCH: Lloyd has been victimized by dual-threat quarterbacks, and few quarterbacks in the area are as threatening via the run and pass as Newport senior Demetri Brown. He's averaging 184 passing yards and 113 rushing yards a game. He's thrown for 15 touchdowns and run for seven, and he should put up big numbers today.
BOTTOM LINE: Before last week's loss to NewCath, Newport had been playing very well. The Wildcats won three of the previous four games, all by a wide margin. They should get back on track tonight.
No. 6 Holmes (6-0) At No. 5 Dixie Heights (3-4)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 3010 Dixie Highway, Edgewood
WHAT TO WATCH: Not only does the Holmes defense cause turnovers - 12 in six games - but it turns those turnovers into points. The Bulldogs have returned two interceptions and two fumbles for touchdowns. Considering the Colonels have struggled with turnovers, don't be surprised if the Bulldogs make a big game-changing play with a takeaway.
BOTTOM LINE: It might be a non-district game, but it's still one of the week's best matchups. Three of Dixie's four losses have come down to the game's final minutes. Expect the Colonels to finally pull off a close victory.
Walton-Verona (3-3) At Bishop Brossart (5-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 900 E. Sixth St., Newport
WHAT TO WATCH: Walton-Verona has done a pretty good job of splitting carries between the running back trio of Andrew Baumgartner, Nolan Brown and Zach MacAdams. The three have combined for 242 carries, 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns. All should touch the ball Saturday.
BOTTOM LINE: The two teams have one common opponent: Bellevue Walton-Verona beat the Tigers 34-21 two weeks ago. Brossart is coming off a 34-31 loss to the Tigers. Walton-Verona gets the nod.