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Best Bets: NKY/Indiana – Week 7

Few would have believed the records of some Kentucky teams below if asked a year ago.

Dixie Heights and Highlands have a win apiece after heading to state finals last season, and Ryle is one of the top teams in the area.

Meanwhile, Franklin County and Batesville highlight the Southeastern Indiana slate, as those teams have just one more week left in their regular season.

TriStateFootball takes a look at the Best Bets for Week 7 in Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana.

Franklin County (5-2) at Batesville (6-1), 7 p.m. – Both teams are coming off close wins in which they scored 14 points. Franklin County dumped South Dearborn, 14-6, the Wildcats’ third one-possession win of the season. Batesville beat Greensburg, 14-9 in its closest game of the season. The Bulldogs won this matchup, 44-20 last year, but the Wildcats have a slight 16-14 edge in the last 30 meetings between these teams.

Greensburg (3-4) at East Central (6-1), 7 p.m. – Greensburg may be sub-.500, but the Pirates have only lost one game by more than five points. Actually, all but one of Greensburg’s games this season have been decided by eight or fewer. East Central has won four straight games, and has outscored its last two opponents, 135-0. The Trojans won decisively, 46-10 when these teams met in 2014, and East Central has won 28 of the last 30 games it has played against Greensburg.

Beechwood (5-1) at Bellevue (2-4), 7 p.m. – This battle of teams named the Tigers has ultimately been the district title game for a number of years, and Beechwood looks primed to win another area Class A title. Beechwood is averaging 46.0 points per game, including 62.0 in its last two. Kyle Fieger’s fantastic year under center continues, as he is 60 of 89 (67 percent!) for 1,061 yards, 14 touchdowns and just one pick. Ethan Stringer has rushed for 758 yards and Brett Slusher has 26 catches for 474 yards and eight scores. After averaging nearly 33 points in its first three games, Bellevue has been shut out three consecutive weeks. Cameron Chase leads the Bellevue offense with 417 rushing yards.

Ryle (6-0) at Cooper (5-2), 7:30 p.m. – On Oct. 8 of last year, Ryle was 2-5. The Raiders are averaging 44.5 points, scoring at least 48 in four straight games. QB Tanner Morgan has thrown for 1,324 yards and 10 TDs, and six Ryle players have at least 100 receiving yards. Cooper has allowed just 27 points in its five wins, and the Jaguars are holding opponents to just 205 yards per game. These teams met in the season opener in 2014, and Cooper won, 12-3. This is also the opener for both teams in nearly-futile Class 6A play.

Ryle QB Tanner Morgan.

Ryle QB Tanner Morgan.

Dixie Heights (1-5) at Highlands (1-5), 7 p.m. – Both teams went to state championship games last year, and no, their records are not misprints. A Class 5A district that looked as strong as any in the state in August has been a bust, and both have a chance to salvage their seasons as district play starts. Jose Torres has eclipsed the 500-yard rushing mark for the Colonels, having gained 512 yards and scored three times. Highlands has been held to nine points in its last two games while playing a murderous schedule, but the Bluebirds face CovCath and Grant County after this game before finishing up with Boone County as they hope to take momentum into the playoffs.

Newport Central Catholic (2-4) at Holy Cross (3-3), 7 p.m. – NewCath is famous for starting slowly against a tough schedule before rallying, and with Holy Cross and Lloyd improving, and this will be a major test for the Thoroughbreds if they want to continue that trend. Other than its 47-7 win at Harrison County, NewCath has scored just 62 points in its other five games. The Thoroughbreds are averaging just 253 yards of offense per game. At 3-3, Holy Cross already has two more wins than in 2014, thanks largely to a three-headed rushing attack of Hamilton Scott, Derrick Barnes and Xavier Abernathy, who have combined for over 1,200 ground yards. This is the Class 2A opener for both teams.

Lloyd (4-2) at Newport (1-5), 7 p.m. – Also the first game of Class 2A play, Lloyd looks to rebound from a 6-0 loss to Conner. Jordan Fann has now thrown for 897 yards to pace the Juggernauts, and Justin Durham is the team’s leading rushing threat with 418 ground yards. Lloyd was averaging 33.4 points before being blanked last week. Newport has won, 8-0, lost 8-6 and been blown out four times. Tyree Bolden has rushed for 484 yards, but the Wildcats’ passing game has been close to non-existent. After being held to 20 points in its first five games, Newport did break out for 24 vs. Beechwood last week, but that was against reserves late in the game.

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