[BHS78]

Final.

[cougarpride08]

When was the last time NCC lost a regional championship game?

[Stardust]

Congrats Desales

[Stardust]

LOUISVILLE – A sign with the score of last year’s playoff game between DeSales and Newport Central Catholic, which the Thoroughbreds won 54-19, hung in the Colts’ weight room through the offseason.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...311200099/

It proved to be all the motivation DeSales would need. The bulked up Colts outmuscled NCC 23-10 Friday night in the Class 2A quarterfinal at Southern High School.

“We squatted our butts off the whole summer,” DeSales senior running back Kyle Perry. “It wasn’t a revenge thing, it was just something to look forward to and work hard in the winter.”

The Thoroughbreds had bounced the Colts from the playoffs each of the last two years (31-3 in 2007) on their way to state runner-up finishes, but behind Perry’s two touchdowns and 100 yards of offense (53 rushing, 47 passing) from quarterback Ryan Johnson the third time was the charm for DeSales.

The Colts (10-3) will host perfect Prestonsburg (13-0), a 23-7 winner over Corbin last night, in the 2A semifinals at Southern.


DeSales rolled up 231 yards of offense, including 184 on the ground, in this matchup of two teams who came in ranked in the Top 10 in 2-A in rushing and rushing defense (Colts fifth and second and NCC ninth and sixth respectively).


The top rushers, though, were kept in check. NCC junior Chris Kelly, who came in third in 2-A in rushing (148.2 yards per game) was held to 74 yards on 14 carries, while DeSales senior Andrew Beeler (eighth in 2-A at 121.7 ypg) gained only 45 yards on 14 carries.


But it was Perry, one of the smallest players on the field, who DeSales coach Mark Sander describes as “one of the toughest, physical kids we have on the team,” who made some of the biggest plays.


His 10-yard TD run, which capped the Colts’ first possession, gave DeSales a 7-0 lead.


NCC (7-6) drove deep into DeSales territory on its next possession, thanks to quarterback Brady Hightchew’s 43-yard run on fourth-and-1 from its 46, but had to settle for Andy Miller’s 23-yard field goal with 4.5 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 7-3.
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However the Colts countered with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Johnson’s 8-yard TD pass to Perry. Perry caught the ball on the 4, then juked Kelly to get into the end zone.


NCC, which was once again without ailing coach Bob Schneider (the state’s all-time wins leader who is out with a heart aneurysm and blood clots), battled back early in the third period. The Thoroughbreds scored on their first possession of the second half as Kelly’s 36-yard run, which came on another fourth-and-1, set up his own 17-yard score.


The Colts, though, answered the NCC score with a 13-play, 76-yard drive that was capped by Garrit Leicht’s 7-yard TD run with 2:03 remaining in the quarter.

“That was a big series,” NCC interim coach Dave Schneider, Bob’s son, said. “After we scored they just jammed it down our throats.”


On the Thoroughbreds’ ensuing possession DeSales defensive back Chris Pike out-wrestled NCC wide receiver Brian Doyle for Hightchew’s pass with 34.6 seconds left in the third period.


The Colts converted that into three points thanks to Johnson’s 40-yard field goal.
NCC couldn’t get closer.


“It’s been a difficult year, a lot of ups and downs,” Dave Schneider said. “We’ve come a long way since 1-5. We played a very good football team tonight and got beat by a better team.”


Asked afterward about his father’s future Dave Schneider said: “I would say he’d want to coach again.


Said DeSales coach Mark Sander: “I know their coach, win or lose, would’ve wanted to be here. We started the week with a prayer for him, and we ended the week with a prayer for him.”
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[Stardust]

NewCath 3 0 7 0--10
DeSales 7 7 7 3--23

DeSales - Kyle Perry 10 run (Ryan Johnson kick)
NCC - Andy Miller 23 field goal
DeSales - Perry 8 pass from Johnson (Johnson kick)
NCC - Chris Kelly 17 run (Miller kick)
DeSales - Garrit Leicht 7 run (kick failed)
DeSales - Johnson 40 field goal

NKY.com

[Can you dig it?]

When was the last time NCC lost a regional championship game?

2004 was the last time they didn't make it to the championship game. Before that, they had a problem getting past Beechwood for a while, but that was earlier than the regional game, and for several years in the mid to late 90's, they weren't any kind of a threat. I can't find any instances of them losing a regional chamionship. Seems that if they make it that far, they take the next step.

[uofl05]

Awesome win for the Colts who proved all the doubters wrong once again.The team was ready to go and aside from some holding calls,they played a great game. Congrats to NCC on another good season.