Preview: Lloyd at NewCath

There is plenty on the line in this Friday’s US Marines Battle of the Gridiron Tour stop that will see upstart Lloyd go on the road and try to take down rival Newport Central Catholic. The visiting Juggernauts have played well under third year head coach Eric Turner but would still like to add that big-time signature win during his tenure.

NewCath has set the gold standard for Class 2A football in Northern Kentucky. The Thoroughbreds are the team that everyone wants to knock off the pedestal. Their dominance in District play has put a big target on the T’Breds backs. Lloyd is hoping this is the year they hit that mark.

LLOYD MEMORIAL JUGGERNAUTS (5-2, 1-0) at NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC THOROUGHBREDS (3-4, 1-0)

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. at Newport Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lloyd has talent at the skills positions and can spread out opposing defenses. Running Back Justin Durham has run for 519 yards and seven scores. Receiver Charles Gaines has 31 receptions for 517 yards and seven touchdowns. Add in lashunn Townsend, Jamorrow Dawson and Dashon Lunsford and the Jugernauts area real handful to deal with on offense.

A healthy Jacob Smith is hitting his stride for NewCath after injuries led to a slow start. The senior running back has run for 583 of his 687 yards over the last three games. He is averaging 194.3 yards rushing in that span. That has eased the burden on quarterback Patrick Henschen who has played much better with Smith’s return. Henschen has nine interceptions and just three touchdowns tosses on the season. Those numbers are almost an exact opposite of what he produced as a sophomore in ’14.

TEAM TRENDS: The winner of this game take s the upper hand in the Class 2A, District 6 title race. They have both gotten to this point by playing a tough schedule versus predominately larger schools.

Lloyd was roughed up early giving up 33.7 points during its first three games. Since then the Juggernauts have corrected those flaws on defense allowing just 11.0 points over the last four contests. Three of those opponents were held to six points.

NewCath has won 32 consecutive regular season District games. Their last loss was back in 2006 to Beechwood in the final season of Class 1A, District 5 play. The following year NCC moved to Class 2A, District 6 and have yet to be taken down before November hits. They did lose a playoff game in 2012 to District rival Holy Cross who went on to win the Class 2A state title.

LLOYD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: This is a team that can put points on the scoreboard in bunches. Getting out to a double-digit lead will put pressure on NewCath which could lead to unforced errors by the T-Breds. By making NewCath play catch up it will allow Lloyd not to press and play much more freely.

NEWCATH’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Thoroughbreds must avoid untimely turnovers. Establishing the run is the best wat to combat those potential pitfalls. Staying out of third and long situations is going to aid a quarterback who has struggled to find consistency this season. Smith is a bad matchup for a Lloyd defense that is giving up 178.6 yards per contest on the ground.

Prediction: NewCath 24, Lloyd 20

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