[Stardust]

Just six days earlier Dixie led Newport Central Catholic 21-7 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown's first half before succumbing to four second-half turnovers and losing.

Pike reminded his teammates of that before the Colonels - up 21-7 at Beechwood - returned for Friday's second half.

"We didn't get the job done last week," Pike said. "This time we needed to finish it."

The Colonels rumbled for two second-half scores and defeated Beechwood 35-21 in Tigers territory.

It was a mild upset for Dixie, ranked eighth in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll. Smaller-school Beechwood entered the game ranked fifth but contended with inconsistencies borne of a season opener and a young roster.

Dixie steamrolled Beechwood with 430 yards of total offense and a multi-pronged approach through the air and on the ground. Pike was 7-for-9 passing for 101 yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed 17 times for 74 yards and two scores.

Junior running back Seth Bruns, who broke loose for an 81-yard scamper in the first quarter that set up Dixie's first TD, rushed 14 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

Most of Beechwood's 253 offensive yards came from its rushing game. Coach Noel Rash started Michael Colosimo at quarterback and also played Taylor Davis, but the Tigers amassed only 83 total passing yards.

"We're not throwing the ball well, and we've got to get better at it. And we will," Rash said. "Both of our quarterbacks do a great job. They just aren't where they need to be."

The 6-foot-3 230-pound junior punched in a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter and an 8-yard score in the second quarter that gave Dixie a permanent cushion.

What's more, the Division I college prospect was everywhere: At quarterback, on defense as a hybrid outside linebacker, and on special teams. He punted five times for 143 yards.

Coach Tom Spritzky said he'd like to tweak the ball distribution and involve other skilled players like wide receivers Bobby Leonard and Goose Cohorn. But he thought Pike "played pretty well" in just his second varsity game at quarterback.

"As long as (Pike) plays within himself and runs our offense and gets our playmakers the ball, he's going to get his carries and he's going to get to throw it when we need him to," he said.

The Colonels were plagued by 65 penalty yards, including one 5-yarder that ensured a Tigers first down on the 28-yard line. Junior Cameron Vocke ran in a 25-yard score two plays later.

Vocke rushed 18 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns, but Beechwood never closed the gap.

Dixie Heights 7 14 7 7 -35
Beechwood 0 7 7 7 -21

DH -Pike 2 run (Bronner kick)
DH -Pike 8 run (Bronner kick)
B -Vocke 25 run (J. Nussbaum kick)
DH -Cohorn 13 pass from Pike (Bronner kick)
DH -Bruns 23 run (Bronner kick)
B -Cruse 19 pass from Davis (J. Nussbaum kick)
DH -Bruns 37 run (Bronner kick)
B -Vocke 1 run (J. Nussbaum kick)

Records: DH 1-1, B 0-1.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...308270128/