Round Up:CovCath Clinches Homefield

Covington Catholic 39, Dixie Heights 34

CovCath quarterback Brayden Erpenbeck used his legs to push his Blue Colonels to a win over the Red Colonels of Dixie Heights Friday night. Erpenbeck ran 26 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns, which also happened to be his team's final three scores. He also passed for 224 more yards and a score. "Athlete." CovCath head coach Dave Wirth said after the game about his quarterback. "You can't coach that. Athletes tend to make plays and he did that tonight. He certainly brought one home for the Colonels tonight with his feet." The game didn't start out well for CovCath however, as Dixie opened up the game with two quick scores on a Ryan Wilson six-yard run and then a pass from Wilson to wide receiver Josh Stegner for a 59-yard touchdown. CovCath answered though at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second quarter as they found a rhythm with their running game and halfback Leo Schaefer. He scored on runs of eight and 23 yards in the first and second quarter respectively. It looked like we were headed for a tie into the locker rooms, but Dixie wasn't quite done yet as they found the endzone again on a Seth Bruns six-yard run right before halftime to give the Colonels in Red a 21-14 lead at intermission. However, it was all Erpenbeck in the second half as he scored his team's final three touchdowns to put them ahead 39-27. Dixie did get a final score on a Wilson to Stegner connection, but the onside kick failed making the final score 39-34. "They've just learned how to handle adversity. They're a resilient group," Wirth said. "They're developing a refuse to lose attitude. " CovCath not only earned bragging rights by winning the battle of Dixie Highway, but they also clinched the second seed in the district and earned home-field advantage for the first game of the playoffs. Wilson was 21 of 31 for 373 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for 36 yards, including the first score of the game. Haggerty had nine catches for 162 yards and one touchdown, and Stegner finished with six receptions for 123 yards and two scores.

Simon Kenton 49, Campbell Co. 14

Simon Kenton continued to dominate their 6A district competition as they knocked off Campbell County 49-14. Mile Simpson was exceptional again with 263 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries. He also had an interception on defense. He has had no trouble against district competition this season, as he's rushed for over 200 yards in all five of those contests. The Pioneers got on the board first when Austin Baldwin scored on a six yard run. Campbell County answered right back however, when quarterback Michael Kremer hit Matt Smith for a seven-yard touchdown. That's when Miles Simpson reeled off four straight touchdown runs of 3, 32, 3 and 80-yards. Chad Lawrence added a 15-yard touchdown strike to Will Carroll before the half and the game was already out of reach 42-7 heading into intermission. Simon Kenton now sits at 8-1 on the season and Campbell County falls to 3-6.

Highlands 67, Scott 20

The Bluebirds continued to shuffle their lineup around Friday night, as Will Bardo was back in the lineup and Austin Collinsworth was out, but the result was the same as they defeated Scott 67-20. Bardo started at the running back position for Highlands and carried six times for 71 yards and two touchdowns. The Bluebirds had six different people score in the first half on their way to a 48-7 lead at intermission. Tyler Fennell scored two times in the first half. The second half was a little more evenly matched as the Bluebirds began subbing some of their JV players into the game and only outscored the Eagles 19-13. The Bluebirds remain undedfeated at 9-0 now. Scott falls to 2-7 on the year.

Withrow 40, Holmes 14

Withrow used a stifling defense and a strong rushing attack in the second half of this game to pull away from Holmes and win 40-14. Holmes got on the scoreboard first, but the momentum was short lived as Withrow took the ensuing kickoff back 93-yards for a score. Then they scored two more touchdowns, before Holmes scored on a 20-yard run by quarterback Jesse Jenson to make the halftime score 20-14. However, Withrow shut Holmes out in the second half and was able to score three more touchdowns to pull away. Withrow had two 100 yard rushers in Rayshawn Walton and Dashawn Farley. Walton carried 11 times for 100 yards and a score, while Farley carried 13 times for 105 yards and a touchdown. Farley also eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season and now sits at 1,074. Both teams now sit at 7-2 on the season.