NewCath shuts out Holy Cross

The Holy Cross Indians strolled into Newport looking to avenge not one, but two losses last year to the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, however were unsuccessful in the feat, getting beat 21-0 at Newport High School on Friday night.

The win improved the Thoroughbreds’ record to 3-4 on the season while the Indians fell to 4-3.

Both teams struggled to find a groove on offense to begin the game, with both teams going scoreless on its first two drives.

Newport Central Catholic head coach Dan Wagner (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

NewCath drew first blood late in the first quarter when Kyle Kelly found the end zone on a four-yard rush to put the Breds up 7-0.

Holy Cross threatened early in the second quarter when the offense found the end zone. Unfortunately for the Indians, Dylan Couch’s pass was picked off in the end zone by a NewCath defender, giving the ball back to the Thoroughbreds.

The Thoroughbreds weren’t able to capitalize on the turnover, however, being forced to punt after going three-and-out.

NewCath found the end zone again with two minutes remaining before halftime when Patrick Henschen found Trent Wrobleski from 29 yards out and the six points. The extra point gave the Breds a 14-point lead going into the half.

The Indians defense came out strong after the half. On the first NewCath second half possession, the Indians were able to force a punt deep in the NewCath end zone.

Despite excellent field position from the punt, Holy Cross was unable to turn it into points, instead turning the ball over on downs.

However, on the second NewCath drive of the half, the Indians were able to force a fumble inside its own 20 yard line, picking the ball up and giving their offense the ball back near midfield.

Holy Cross looked as though it was finding a groove on offense after the fumble, however quarterback Ben Borman, who entered the game in the second quarter after Couch left the game in the second quarter due to a concussion, was picked off at the NewCath 16 yard line by the Thoroughbreds’ Joe Freppon.

The second half remained that way, with both teams trading punts and/or turnovers. Neither team was able to put points on the board in the third quarter and much of the fourth quarter.

Only NewCath was able to find the end zone in the second half when Kelly rushed in from 25 yards out for his second score of the night to put the Thoroughbreds up 21-0 and sealing the victory.

NewCath Head Coach Dan Wagner said the offense will have to step up in coming weeks as the season winds down.

“We’ve had problems all year,” Wagner said. “We need to keep things sustained and for some reason when we get to the 20 or 30, we fizzle up.”

Despite the problems on offense, Wagner was impressed with the performance of his defense, claiming its first shutout of the season.

“We’re getting better each week,” Wagner said. “I’m proud of the way they played defense.”

NewCath (3-4) will look to start a winning streak when it heads to Erlanger next week to take on the Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts.

Holy Cross (4-3) will return to Newport High School next week when it attempts to rebound against the Newport Wildcats.