Week 1 Thoughts, Predictions, Previews

As usual, myself and my partner Lee Witte will be doing our weekly preview and predictions for the games this week end. Let's start with the biggest game of the week:



Highlands (1-0) @ Ryle (1-0)



The Birds come in to the game after travelling to Manual last week and leaving with a 19-8 win. The Birds rushing attacked wasn't perfect but it was solid as Austin Collinsworth and junior Jordan Streeter combined for 138 yards and 2 td's on 25 carries. On the other side, the Ryle Raiders really took it to Covcath 34-14, while racking up 430 yards on the ground. Sophomore Travis Elliott rushed for 236 yards on 26 carries, while senior Keifer Eubank rushed for 165 yards on just 10 carries.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

I like the Birds by 2 td's in this one. I expect the Birds "D" to bend but not break and Bardo to bounce back, connecting on a few td passes. The Raiders are much improved and have some great talent, but not enough in this one.



Highlands 22

Ryle 7



Ryan:

The Ryle D was a glaring weakness in their game against Covcath and their kickoff coverage also wasn't very good. They may have to put up a lot of points to win this one...I don't see it happening.



Highlands 38

Ryle 14



Covcath (0-1) @ Lexcath (1-0)



The Colonels are coming off a 34-14 loss to Ryle, while Lexcath is coming in to this game after defeating a solid Whitley County team 43-14. Covcath will try to get their first win under new head coach Dave Wirth in the Bluegrass Bowl. These two have traditionally played eachother closely, but will it be the same story this year?



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

Covcath will continue to struggle against the Lexington powerhouse, especially on the road. The Colonels lack the offensive firepower to sustain anything and Lexington Catholic scored 43 last week on a tough Whitley Co team.



Lexcath 48

Covcath 14



Ryan:

Despite their offensive woes, the Colonel defense has been much worse. Erpenbeck was the only bright spot for the team from Park Hills last week and with him suffering some sort of shoulder injury, I don't look for things to turn around this week.



Lexcath 42

Covcath 17



Conner (1-0) @ Scott (0-0)



In the nkysports.com game of the week (which can be seen live at nkysports.com), the Cougars from Conner will travel to Scott High school to take on the Eagles. Conner is coming off of a 23-14 win over a tough Oldham Co team while Scott struggled mightily in their scrimmage with Campbell Co last week. The key for the Eagles will be to contain QB Nick West of Conner who rushed for 68 yards and passed for 125 last week. Easier said than done.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

Conner is coming off a big win over Oldham County and should take care of the Eagles. Scott won't be able to keep Nick West from going off in this one as it should be a good game for him to pad some stats.



Conner 35

Scott 7



Ryan:

In a game that I'll be covering live with Ben Blesser of nkysports.com, Conner wins this one big and we see the JV mid third quarter. Nick West is the real deal and I expect the Cougars spread offense to put a lot of points on the board.



Conner 42

Scott 0



Newcath (0-1) v Simon Kenton (0-0) @ UC's Nippert Stadium



The Breds come in to this game 0-1 after suffering a 19-7 loss to Dixie last week in a game in which their offense shot themselves in the foot with turnovers and mental mistakes multiple times. The bright spot for the Breds was the play of senior running back Chris Kelly who rushed for 96 yards on 22 carries. Simon Kenton however comes in off a scrimmage with an improved Holmes squad in which Miles Simpson suffered a minor ankle injury. Don't expect that to stop him.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

The Breds will continue to experience growing pains this week against a very solid Simon Kenton team and Miles Simpson. Expect a high scoring affair and NCC soph QB Brady Hightchew to improve, but it won't be enough as the Pioneers take this one.



Simon Kenton 34

Newcath 18



Ryan:

The Pioneers have historically struggled against the Breds, but I think this just might be the year that they knock off the 2A state power. Miles Simpson will be tough for the Breds to stop and dual threat QB Chad Lawrence should have a similar effect on the defense of Newcath as Dixie's Ryan Wilson.



Simon Kenton 27

Newcath 19



Dixie Heights v Beechwood @ UC's Nippert Stadium



Another game apart of the Skyline Crosstown Shootout, the defending 1A state champion Beechwood Tigers will face the Dixie Heights Colonels. The Colonels come in off a 19-7 win over Newcath, while the Tigers are opening their season. Historically, the Colonels have struggled against Beechwood but Dixie was impressive last week. QB Ryan Wilson accounted for 227 yards for Dixie as he ran for 102 and passed for 125. Beechwood has a lot of question marks, while Dixie brings a lot of experience in to this game.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

This is my pick game of the week as both teams come in with high expectations. Dixie might just have enough offensive firepower to take the smaller Class A Tigers. Look for QB Ryan Wilson to have a big game for the Colonels and Beechwood's Joe Colosimo to have a nice game on the ground. I like Dixie on the neutral field.



Dixie Heights 22

Beechwood 18



Ryan:

Although the Colonels looked good last week, I see some of their weaknesses being exposed this week. Beechwood has one of the best coaches in the area in Noel Rash and they also return one of the best 1-2 combos in dual threat QB Matt Rigdon and running back Joe Colosimo. I think the Tigers start the season off with a bang. Dixie isn't used to playing on a big stage like Nippert.



Beechwood 27

Dixie Heights 14



Lloyd (0-0) v Holmes (0-0) @ Newport



Both teams open their season this Saturday night in the River City Bowl at Newport High School. Lloyd lost a lot from last year but return one of the best playmakers in the area in RB/DB Seth Chappie. Holmes on the other hand returns a lot of experience from last year's 3-8 team. Defensively the Dogs return 9 starters, including one of the top 10 seniors in nky in DE/OL Regal Lowe and offensively return two of the best athletes in the area in juniors Chris Hayes and Damien Oden. There's been a lot of buzz surrounding this Holmes team after dropping to 4A and they looked good in both of their scrimmages against Newcath and Simon Kenton. These two teams started playing eachother two years ago and have split their only two meetings with Lloyd winning last year 26-19.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

I like the Bulldogs as they will have too much overall team speed for the Juggs. Seth Chappie should be able to get his, as he is one of the best RB's in nky, but it won't be enough.



Holmes 28

Lloyd 16



Ryan:

I think the Dogs will be too much for the Juggs this year. Holmes experience combined with their athleticism and speed will really give Lloyd fits. Look for the Holmes to start the season off with a W on a neutral field.



Holmes 33

Lloyd 18



Holy Cross (1-0) @ Pikeville (0-0)



The Indians are coming off a 36-20 win over Bellevue while Pikeville will be opening their season. Holy Cross looked good last week as senior QB Markel Walker rushed for 109 yards and passed for 81. Helping him was senior RB Andy Roenker who carried the ball 13 times for 83 yards.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

I like the Indians on the road as they are loaded with talent this year and IMO will take the 2A district crown. Pikeville will hang with them for a half, but in the end it will be too much Roenker.



Holy Cross 28

Pikeville 12



Ryan:

Holy Cross athleticism will be the difference in this one. I don't see Pikeville having an answer for Walker and Roenker should be able to get his with his power running style.



Holy Cross 31

Pikeville 14



Lafayette (1-0) v Boone Co(0-0) @ Tates Creek



Boone is opening their season in the Fayette County Invitational Bowl while Lafayette comes in 1-0 after beating Tates Creek 34-19 last week. The Rebels will rely heavily on Qb Nate Alford and Rb Charles Quainoo, who is considered one of the top 5 running backs in the area.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

The Generals bring in an experienced offensive line but their defense won't be able to stop the Rebel offense led by Quainoo and Alford. I like Boone by 2 td's.



Boone Co 21

Lafayette 8



Ryan:

Lafayette was drilled last year by SK in the playoffs and although they have experience back from that team, I don't think they have the personnel to stop the Rebels. Look for Quainoo to have a big game on the ground.



Boone Co 24

Lafayette 7



Bellevue (0-1) @ Newport (0-0)



Bellevue is coming in to this game off a 36-20 loss to Holy Cross, while Newport is playing their first game of the season. Although they lost, Ricky Buckler looked good for the Tigers last week, picking up 173 yards on the ground on 19 carries. For the Newport Wildcats, they will rely heavily on new QB Meechi Brown.



Thoughts/Predictions:



Lee:

Look for the Tigers to spoil Nick Rice's debut as Ricky Buckler rushes for over 200 yards and scores a few td's. For Newport, numbers are down and too many unknowns for them.



Bellevue 27

Newport 14



Ryan:

Newport has a lot of unknowns this year and will likely struggle because of the loss of Cody Collins to basketball, but I think this is a winnable game for them. Bellevue will be bigger up front, but I don't see them having the overall speed to stop the Wildcats athletes.



Newport 18

Bellevue 14



Other games:



Norwood, OH @ Campbell Co.



Lee: Campbell Co 34-14



Ryan: Campbell Co 41-7



Dayton @ Pendelton Co



Lee: Pendleton Co 21-7

Ryan: Pendleton Co 24- 13



Taylor, OH @ Ludlow



Lee: Taylor 24-16

Ryan: Ludlow 18-8