Newport Central Catholic 49, Holy Cross 10

CINCINNATI - The last two Class 2A state champions in Kentucky squared off on Friday night with a district title on the line, but the result was a one-sided affair. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds dominated all aspect of the game as they dismantled the Holy Cross Indians, 49-10.

NewCath (5-4, 4-0) opened up a 14-0 first-quarter lead behind a 7-yard touchdown run by senior Dylan Hayes and a 37-yard scoring scamper by freshman Jacob Smith.

Holy Cross (3-6, 2-2) finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter as Hamilton Scott hit a 28-yard field goal, but the ‘Breds would put the game away with 21 unanswered points to close out the half. The scoring spree began when Hayes returned a punt 36 yards for a TD. The next time the senior touched the ball he took it to the house again on a 70-yard run. Mason Myers got in on the fun with a 24-yard rushing touchdown to close out the half.

Hayes capped off a stellar night with two more trips to the end zone during the third quarter on a 53-yard run and another punt return, this time from 71 yards out, for his final score. Despite playing just of two quarters of play, Hayes would finish the night with 307 all-purpose yards, including 169 yards on the ground taking him over the 1000-yard rushing mark for the second straight season.

The Indians finally got a touchdown late the third quarter when Mitch Trail connected with Markel McClenden for a 14-yard TD pass. It would be their only trip to the end zone in the contest.

NewCath wraps up regular-season play by hosting Beechwood next Friday night while Holy Cross travels to Holmes.