[Bull got out!]

Newport Central Catholic vs Raceland. Thoughts?

[RAMDAD50]

The game is actually at NCC
The Rams have to win this one

[ArmChairHC]

This is the time of year the early schedule starts to pay off.

[Belichick]

If it’s at NCC, this will be close. I think Raceland is getting better and even though they are young, they have enough older guys who know what being at the top of 1A takes. I think they know this is a much needed win. None are must win until playoffs but important for confidence and knowing where you stand. I think it’ll come down to who executes better and turnovers but I’m taking Raceland.

[ArmChairHC]

Game is at Covington Catholic. Another trip to NKY which means another tough game within the game. I really like how our young guys have handled big environments this season. They haven’t at all seemed overwhelmed or came out flat. I think this is a team that our run game can really take over. I really think the next several weeks will look a lot like last years games against Sayre and KCD. Idk if we will put up those type of points or numbers, but I think we will be able to run the ball fairly well. As for Friday…I’m not certain on a score yet.

[Orange Blaze]

NCC knocks off Raceland as the Rams continue with their offensive struggles.

Newcath 28
Raceland 14

[sstack]

Raceland wins comfortably

[bac2369]

What’s the injury status for the rams?

[RAMDAD50]

Idk what NCC brings back from last years team. I felt like they were just missing a couple more good athletes from being a solid team. If they are as good this year as last year the Rams are in trouble. This Raceland team just can’t score points and that’s not gonna change this year. Now ….we could very well go to NCC and put a bunch of points on the board. If that happens then NCC is bad haha. At some point Raceland really needs to look at their offensive philosophy.

[Patriot1]

I think Raceland wins this game but I don’t think it will be a high scoring game but like the Rams chances in this one NCC in my opinion is not as good as Letcher Central

[ArmChairHC]

I don’t think it’s a high scoring game either. But I think alot of people are underestimating what Raceland is capable of offensively. We opened things up a little more vs Pikeville. But went back to the old stuff against Highlands. That game, imo, was always about survival. We just don’t have the numbers to throw caution to the wind in that type of game this year. You will see more out of the offense this week, imo.

[bac2369]

New Cath had the played to compete last year, there only downfall early was they had to replace 4 starters on that O-line last year. They guys got better as the season went along. This New Cath is a different team. They can throw and run it. They will wanna try to pound the ball with running back Cole. They have two other backs that are the what I call your off tackle backs or in space backs. They have a big play threat in Ford who can go get the ball.

Hoping the Rams decide something on quarterback soon. I don’t mind seeing 2 quarterbacks used but not after one isn’t having a good game. But the one thing I know for sure is Parker Ison has to be on the field. If he isn’t quarterback, then he has to be out there somewhere else. I know the Rams want to try to have a quarterback for next year also, but they may have to give Cooper another shot at it.

[Belichick]

I don’t think it’s a high scoring game either. But I think alot of people are underestimating what Raceland is capable of offensively. We opened things up a little more vs Pikeville. But went back to the old stuff against Highlands. That game, imo, was always about survival. We just don’t have the numbers to throw caution to the wind in that type of game this year. You will see more out of the offense this week, imo.

Raceland ran about twice as many plays as Pikeville and because of the 2 turnovers and horrible play calling, the Pikeville defense was on the field most of the second half. Looked like Pikeville gassed and they have a bunch of kids playing through injuries. None of us get to see what happens in practice but it seems the Rams offense would have more playmaking ability with Ison at WR and get one of the other backups as much experience as possible before the playoffs. Then when they get the other WR who is injured back, maybe they get rolling and you see more big plays out of their offense. The staff has to see stuff in practice they don’t like is my only thought.

[plantmanky]

The game is actually at NCC
The Rams have to win this one

Considering NCC has no field I doubt that.  They have been renting other teams fields for the decades.

[Glory_Days]

Yes, it's already been posted that the game is scheduled to be played at Covington Catholic

[FballFan67]

I think is a big game for 1A. New Cath use to be so dominant and one of the better teams when they were in 2A. Not sure what has happened since dropping down or if there good athletes are going to other schools. But Raceland has been at the top of 1A for a few years now so this would be a big win if New Cath could pull it out. Not sure what either schedule looks like from this point but I feel like this game is big for RPI purposes coming down the stretch with right at half the season over every point counts. Good luck to both teams and hopefully they are able to play an injury free game.

[Orange Blaze]

I think is a big game for 1A. New Cath use to be so dominant and one of the better teams when they were in 2A. Not sure what has happened since dropping down or if there good athletes are going to other schools. But Raceland has been at the top of 1A for a few years now so this would be a big win if New Cath could pull it out. Not sure what either schedule looks like from this point but I feel like this game is big for RPI purposes coming down the stretch with right at half the season over every point counts. Good luck to both teams and hopefully they are able to play an injury free game.

It’s crazy how time changes things.  In the early 2000’s Raceland wasn’t in the same league as NCC and got ran through by the Thoroughbreds multiple times.  Back then I never would have imagined that a day would come when Newcath beating Raceland would be considered a big win for their program.

[RAMDAD50]

I think is a big game for 1A. New Cath use to be so dominant and one of the better teams when they were in 2A. Not sure what has happened since dropping down or if there good athletes are going to other schools. But Raceland has been at the top of 1A for a few years now so this would be a big win if New Cath could pull it out. Not sure what either schedule looks like from this point but I feel like this game is big for RPI purposes coming down the stretch with right at half the season over every point counts. Good luck to both teams and hopefully they are able to play an injury free game.

It’s crazy how time changes things.  In the early 2000’s Raceland wasn’t in the same league as NCC and got ran through by the Thoroughbreds multiple times.  Back then I never would have imagined that a day would come when Newcath beating Raceland would be considered a big win for their program.

I guess that’s the good thing about never reaching the top……we’ve never been there so we haven’t experienced the fall hahah. There are a lot of teams that once was that aren’t anymore. Bellevue,NCC, Danville, Bardstown had a very good run back in the day. Numbers are down everywhere and from the looks of things they will keep going down. People can’t afford to have kids anymore. But yes OB….back in the day whenever you heard you was playing NCC or anyone from that Beechwood district it meant the season was over and time to get ready for basketball ha

[i82much]

It's close but I like the Ram defense and I think Raceland can score enough to win this ball game. Both teams have played a decent schedule which should have them well prepared. This game will tell a little going forward about the separation between Raceland and Pikeville versus the rest of the 1A field but....it's still hard to get a read because of a lack of common opponents and most of the other top rated 1A schools are playing weak schedules. Hard to do a "this team beat that team and that team beat another team that lost to this team by one point" type of thing.....

[InsideSlant]

I think this should be a really good game. Raceland's strength is running the ball and NewCath's weakness is run defense. NewCath has given up 118 yards (Scott), 298 yards (Conner), and 131 yards (Campbell Co.) on the ground in the last 3 games. I'm sure it will be a focus this week to tighten up. NewCath has very good balance on their offensive side of the ball. Lots of open receivers, but several drops last week. IMO, Miles is their best QB in a while and their OL has done a good job keeping him clean. Kaleb Cole is a load to bring down. I think this will be within a touchdown.

[kybred]

The game is actually at NCC
The Rams have to win this one

Considering NCC has no field I doubt that.  They have been renting other teams fields for the decades.

NCC has a new sports complex in the plans/works and is pending contract finalization. It may be ready during next school year but I doubt it will be ready for 2025 football season. Link to article: https://nkytribune.com/2024/08/contracto...all-coach/

[RAMDAD50]

The game is actually at NCC
The Rams have to win this one

Considering NCC has no field I doubt that.  They have been renting other teams fields for the decades.

NCC has a new sports complex in the plans/works and is pending contract finalization. It may be ready during next school year but I doubt it will be ready for 2025 football season. Link to article: https://nkytribune.com/2024/08/contracto...all-coach/

Where does Newport play their home games ?

[ArmChairHC]

Per KHSAA it Looks like they play at cov Cath and Dixie heights. That’s got to be tough, not having your own place.

[RAM-A-DEVIL]

Tough schedule pays off. Rams win. Raceland held Highlands to 165 total yards. I think they will be able to handle New Cath

[Belichick]

Tough schedule pays off. Rams win. Raceland held Highlands to 165 total yards. I think they will be able to handle New Cath

That’s pretty impressive.  I haven’t seen the game. How did Highlands score 35 on 165 yards of offense?

[kybred]

The game is actually at NCC
The Rams have to win this one

Considering NCC has no field I doubt that.  They have been renting other teams fields for the decades.

NCC has a new sports complex in the plans/works and is pending contract finalization. It may be ready during next school year but I doubt it will be ready for 2025 football season. Link to article: https://nkytribune.com/2024/08/contracto...all-coach/

Where does Newport play their home games ?

Newport Wildcat football stadium is adjacent and south of Newport High School (see map) and was recently renovated (see story). Newport Wildcats played their first true home game in a few years a couple weeks ago on 9/13. The field on the other side of I-471 is Gilligan Stadium - home of the Bellevue Tigers.

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Newport+High+School/@39.0959695,-84.4864424,684m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8841b1775ca06c51:0x658215b97b4ea602!8m2!3d39.0959654!4d-84.4838675!16s%2Fm%2F076plg1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/...087969007/

[ArmChairHC]

Short fields. Kick return for a TD. Rams lack of offense set Highlands up with short drives. Raceland offense moved well between the 30s. Then stalled.

---

The game against Highlands is a lot closer than it looks by the score. The KR for a TD was bad tackling. RB missed a massive hole that would have likely been a TD had he cut the ball upfield. Would have made it 7-7 at the half instead of 14-0. That game is really a handful of plays away from being 28-14 type of game. Numbers played a big factor about midway through the 3rd as well. Those big schools just have so many bodies. I didn’t walk away from this game feeling like we had been destroyed like I did last year. It was a slow bleed lol

[bac2369]

I believe this game is the first to 20 wins. If conditions are wet then who knows how this goes. But I would think wet and rainy may help Raceland more.

[sstack]

Short fields. Kick return for a TD. Rams lack of offense set Highlands up with short drives. Raceland offense moved well between the 30s. Then stalled.

---

The game against Highlands is a lot closer than it looks by the score. The KR for a TD was bad tackling. RB missed a massive hole that would have likely been a TD had he cut the ball upfield. Would have made it 7-7 at the half instead of 14-0. That game is really a handful of plays away from being 28-14 type of game. Numbers played a big factor about midway through the 3rd as well. Those big schools just have so many bodies. I didn’t walk away from this game feeling like we had been destroyed like I did last year. It was a slow bleed lol

The game never felt close. And can’t really compare how you played against Highlands when they rested a lot of players. Running back was the JV starter ( starting RB ran a series at start of game and start of second half, big difference if he played). Lots of guys got in on both O and D line. Very vanilla offense game plan.  KR had gaping hole where no on covered the side of field where short kick took place. I also feel  Raceland has several linemen who are very big but out of shape and can’t play 4 quarters. If raceland can play better on pass defense I don’t think NCC puts up much of a fight.

[ArmChairHC]

We were down a starter and his back up on the OL. The backup will be back this week the starter probably next week. And all I can compare is the product that was on the field. A top 5, 5A schools JV should be pretty damn good compared to a rebuilding 1A school that so many have casted off as on the downward skid.