Playoff football rolls on into the second round in Northern Kentucky while regional championships are on the line in Indiana. With competition growing stiffer with each passing week, teams from across the region will need to dig deep to survive and advance.
East Central and Lawrenceburg both won sectional championships in Indiana and are looking to push even deeper into the brackets. Covington Catholic faces a tough test as they travel to undefeated Johnson Central. Cooper plays host to Scott County in what could be the night’s best game. Class 1A sees two battles between Northern Kentucky teams.
Follow along for live updates on all the high school playoff action in Northern Kentucky and Indiana. Once games go final, be sure to stick around for breakdowns and analysis.
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Box scores
Covington Catholic 36, Johnson Central 29
The Colonels overcame a slow start to deal Johnson Central it’s first loss of the season as Covington Catholic moves on to the state quarterfinals, 36-29. The game saw over 750 yards of combined rushing offense, with explosive runs winning the day for CovCath.
CovCath turned in a 0-yard performance in the first quarter as Johnson Central’s defense propelled the Golden Eagles to an early 14-0 lead. That deficit woke the Colonels up like a fresh pot of coffee, leading to three touchdowns in three plays as they broke off runs of 65, 80, and 42 yards. That 21-14 lead held into the break.
The second half was back and forth, as both teams traded touchdowns. With under five minutes to play, the Golden Eagles punched in a 2-yard touchdown and converted a two-point attempt to take a one-point lead. The Colonels were undeterred, as Dylan Gaiser broke off another big run of 29 yards to put his team back on top. A successful two-point try locked in the final score at 36-29.
Neither team found a passing attack to speak of, but both ground games hummed along. Johnson Central put up more total yards with 458, but averaged 6.1 yards a carry as they had to slowly grind for every score. Covington Catholic, on the other hand, netted 305 rushing yards on just 13 carries, an average of 23.5 yards per attempt. That explosiveness made all the difference.
Dylan Gaiser was the hero with the winning score, finishing with 144 yards and three touchdowns. Cash Harney was every bit as good tonight as he picked up 161 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson Central’s undefeated season ends at 11-1, as Covington Catholic improves to 9-3 and advances to the Region Finals.
CC 0 21 7 7 8 – 36
JC 7 7 7 8 – 29
JC – Music 18 run (Bentley kick)
JC – Perry 3 run (Bentley kick)
CC – Harney 65 run (Robertson kick)
CC – Harney 80 run (Zembrodt kick)
CC – Gaiser 42 run (Zembrodt kick)
JC – Perry 3 run (Bentley kick)
CC – Gaiser 47 run (Zembrodt kick)
JC – Morris 4 run (Morris run)
CC – Gaiser 29 run (Gaiser pass from Harney)
Records: CC 9-3, JC 11-1
Scott County 55, Cooper 34
Scott County’s offense was just too much to handle as Cooper fell in the second round of the playoffs, 55-34.
The Cardinals took control of the game quickly, grabbing a 21-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. After going into halftime down 28-14, Cooper was never able to close the gap to threaten the Scott County lead.
Despite Cam O’Hara turning in another signature performance with 265 yards and four touchdowns through the air, adding another score with his legs, the disparity in rushing offenses was indicative of the end result. Scott County outrushed Cooper 296 yards to 50 yards as the Cardinals surpassed 600 yards of total offense.
Cooper’s season comes to a close at 8-4, and O’Hara will go into the record books as one of Kentucky’s greatest passers.
Scott County moves on to the regional final with a record of 9-3.
SC 21 7 13 14 – 55
C 7 7 7 13 – 34
SC – Emongo 60 run (Elliot kick)
C – Freihoffer 10 pass from O’Hara (Tibbs kick)
SC – Emongo 35 run (Elliot kick)
SC –Garrett 28 run (Elliot kick)
SC – Furnish 11 pass from Ellison (Elliot kick)
C – Martin 14 pass from O’Hara (Tibbs kick)
SC – Furnish 60 pass from Ellison (kick failed)
C – Campbell 61 pass from O’Hara (Tibbs kick)
SC – Emongo 8 run (Elliot kick)
SC – Owens 15 pass from Ellison (Elliot kick)
C – O’Hara 2 run (run failed)
SC – Owens 52 pass from Ellison (Elliot kick)
C – Freihofer 12 pass from O’Hara (Tibbs kick)
Records: SC 9-3, C 8-4
Newport 18, Holy Cross 3
Newport’s defense shut down previously undefeated Holy Cross to move on to the regional final with an 18-3 victory.
In a game with nearly as many yards lost to penalties as gained by the offenses, steady offensive production was key. Newport’s running game churned out consistent production, as Kendall Buck-Barber led the way with 97 yards on 19 carries. Despite throwing two interceptions on offense, Newport managed to win the turnover battle 3-2 after coming up with critical fumble recoveries. Holy Cross’s running game, which had been potent all season, was held in check by the Wildcats to the tune of just 27 yards on 23 carries.
For Holy Cross, it was a season for the record books. After completing the first undefeated regular-season in school history the Indians have a lot to celebrate, despite the bitter ending.
Newport returns to the region final again, where they’ll get a chance for revenge against the team who knocked them out last season: Kentucky Country Day. Newport is now 8-4 on the year and on a five-game winning streak.
N 6 6 0 6 – 18
HC 3 0 0 0 – 3
N – Roper 20 pass from Conley (run failed)
HC – FG 25 Romito
N – Hurry 4 run (pass failed)
N – Conley 2 run (pass failed)
Records: N 7-4, HC 11-1
Week 13 high school football scores
Northern Kentucky second round
Class 6A
Simon Kenton 0, Louisville Trinity 50 – FINAL
Ballard 20, Ryle 41 – FINAL
Class 5A
Scott County 55, Cooper 34 – FINAL
Class 4A
Ashland Blazer 7, Highlands 45 – FINAL
Covington Catholic 36, Johnson Central 29 – FINAL
Class 3A
Henry County 20, Lloyd Memorial 48 – FINAL
Class 2A
Walton-Verona 7, Beechwood 42 – FINAL
Class 1A
Bishop Brossart 21, Newport Central Catholic 42 – FINAL
Newport 18, Holy Cross 3 – FINAL
Indiana regionals
Class 5A
New Palestine 20, East Central 6 – FINAL
Class 3A
Cascade 37, Lawrenceburg 33 – FINAL
Live Updates
Newport ends historic Holy Cross season
Jaden Conley connected with Carvonta Roper on a 20-yard touchdown pass to start the scoring, but the ensuing two-point conversion fell short. Holy Cross responded with a field goal after an interception, but Newport retaliated with a 2-yard scoring dive from Sean Hurry. A Jaden Conley keeper stretched the lead to 18-3 with just five minutes remaining and that score would hold until the end. Newport’s win ends a unbeaten streak for Holy Cross at 11 games, the best start to a season in school history.
East Central falls to top-ranked New Palestine
In their regional battle against top-ranked New Palestine, the Trojans took a 6-3 lead in the second quarter following a Will Graf touchdown run from five yards out. A field goal in the second quarter evened things up for top-ranked New Palestine, and the second half was controlled by New Palestine. East Central just couldn’t overcome a flurry of penalties and the Trojans fall in the regionals, 20-6.
Covington Catholic knocks off undefeated Johnson Central
Cash Harney out-raced the Johnson Central defense to score a 65-yard touchdown, keeping the Colonels in striking distance after they gave up two early touchdowns. On the next drive Harney again burst open a huge run, taking an 85-yard scamper to the house. Fast forward another drive, and on the first play Dylan Gaiser gashed Johnson Central for a 42-yard touchdown run, putting the Colonels up for the first time.
The two teams traded touchdowns, but the Golden Eagles scored again and converted a two-point try to take the lead late in the fourth. Covington Catholic took just two minutes to respond, with Gaiser scoring from 29 yards out. The Colonels converted a two-point try to go back up by 7, which would prove to be the winning score.
Cooper’s season ends against Scott County
The Cardinals offense was just too much to handle tonight as they won 55-34. Cooper’s season draws to a close at 8-4. Senior quarterback Cam O’Hara ends his career among the top statistical quarterbacks in KHSAA history.
Ryle moving on to third straight Regional Final
Jacob Savage broke off two huge runs in the first quarter, touchdowns of 53 and 75 yards, to keep Ryle tied up with Ballard. Nathan Verax decided to get in on the scoring action in the second, giving the Raiders their first lead on a quarterback run. Ryle never relinquished the advantage, finishing off a 41-20 win for their third straight trip to the Regional Final.
Eddie Bivens scores five touchdowns in win for Newport Central Catholic
The Thoroughbreds back has taken over against Bishop Brossart, breaking loose for his fifth touchdown of the game to secure a 35-7 win over Bishop Brossart.
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High school football playoff results in Week 12
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Northern Kentucky and Indiana high school football playoff scores, recaps in Week 13
Reporting by Chase Souder, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
