NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (7-5) AT LOU. DeSALES (9-3) What: Class 2A state football quarterfinal.
When: Kickoff 7:30 p.m.
Where: T.T. Knight Stadium, Louisville (Southern’s home field).
Kypost.com coverage: Josh Katzowitz.
John Lachmann’s pick: DeSales
Terry Boehmker’s pick: NewCath.
Dan Wright’s pick: DeSales.
Notes: NewCath’s perseverance has been remarkable this season.
The Thoroughbreds started the season 1-5, but they bounced back and have won their last six.
NewCath lost the only coach it has known since the 1960s prior to the playoffs with circulation issues in his legs, yet the team is unbeaten under Dave Schneider, son of Bob Schneider.
NewCath struggled to score points early in the season, which was understandable considering the Thoroughbreds lost last season’s quarterback and key tailback. The team’s schedule did not help NewCath early on, as it played four Class 6A teams before beginning district play.
But after averaging just 14.0 points in their first six games, NewCath has scored 38.5 points per game in its last six.
It appears unlikely that Bob Schneider will return to the sideline this week. The long road trip will not his chance of coaching on Friday.
The difference has been the Thoroughbreds’ rejuvenated running game. Junior Chris Kelly has rushed for 1,778 yards and 26 touchdowns, with over 1,000 ground yards coming during NewCath’s winning streak.
Sophomore quarterback Brady Hightchew has piled up 706 of his 1,090 rushing yards since the Thoroughbreds’ last loss.
Three NewCath receivers have 200 receiving yards or more. Junior Brian Doyle leads the team with 19 catches, and he has 220 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Junior Jake Cain has 14 receptions, also for 220 yards, and three TDs.
Junior Mike Froendhoff has caught 12 passes for 200 yards.
DeSales has also won its last six games, and the Colts have allowed just 8.0 points per game during their streak. DeSales is allowing only 110.1 rushing yards per game, and 108.3 passing.
Senior Andrew Beeler is DeSales’ primary ball carrier. Beeler has gained 1,460 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 186 carries.
Senior quarterback Ryan Johnson is second on the team in ground yards with 583. Two other DeSales running backs have gained over 300 rushing yards.
DeSales averages 290.3 rushing yards and 85.8 passing yards per game. Johnson is 62-for-131 for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he has been picked off 10 times.
Beeler also catches passes regularly – he has 15 for 188 yards this season – and two other Colts are decent pass-catching threats.
Senior Nick Roush has caught 16 passes for a team-high 274 yards and seven touchdowns, and senior tight end Luke Price has 16 receptions for 255 yards and two TDs.
Doyle has intercepted eight passes for NewCath this season, but overall the Thoroughbreds have struggled to stop the pass. Opponents are averaging 168.6 yards passing vs. NewCath, as opposed to 131.8 rushing.
NewCath has ended DeSales’ season the last two years. The Thoroughbreds won, 31-3 in 2007 and 54-19 last season.
Next preview: Johnson Central at Highlands.
