NewCath blows out Holy Cross

By Dan Wright

   Newport Central Catholic scored two touchdowns 19 seconds apart in the first quarter to start its way to a 52-0 rout of defending Class 2A state champion Holy Cross on Saturday night in Newport.

   Senior running back Dylan Hayes broke an 80-yard run to start the scoring after Holy Cross missed a field goal on the opening possession of the game.  

   On the Indians next play from scrimmage, junior linebacker Kalvin Moore intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown to give the Thoroughbreds a quick, 14-0 lead.

   Senior quarterback Josh Cain followed with three touchdown passes, including a 76-yard strike to junior receiver Mac Franzen.  

   Hayes added a 55-yard touchdown run, and, after a field goal by Nathan Grosser, Moore capped the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown on his only carry of the game.

   Hayes ran 11 times for 161 yards as NewCath ran for 196 yards and gained 362 yards in all.

   Cain completed 5 of 10 passes for 166 yards.  Franzen caught two of those passes for 93 yards, with both resulting in touchdowns.

   Running back Burt Pouncy ran 19 times for 101 yards for Holy Cross, which gained 258 yards but turned the ball over four times.

   The Indians had defeated the Thoroughbreds, 24-21, in last year’s playoffs on their way to winning the state title.

   NewCath will host Walton-Verona next week as the Thoroughbreds look to continue their march toward a second state title in three years.

HOLY CROSS 0-0-0-0—0
at NEWCATH 14-14-17-7—52
NCC-Hayes 80 run (Caudill kick)
NCC-Moore 26 interception return (Caudill kick)
NCC-Franzen 17 pass from Cain (Grosser kick)
NCC-Collopy 39 pass from Cain (Caudill kick)
NCC-Franzen 76 pass from Cain (Grosser kick)
NCC-Hayes 55 run (Caudill kick)
NCC-Grosser FG 36
NCC-Moore 51 run (Grosser kick)
RECORDS: Newport Central Catholic 8-4, Holy Cross 4-8.