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Preview: Highlands at CovCath

Highlands ATH Charlie Noon (photo by: James Bates / TriStateFootball.com)

Two red-hot teams square off as the Blitz 5 Game of the Week takes us south of the river to Covington Catholic where the Colonels host long-time rival Highlands. After shaky and suspect starts, the two teams have rebounded splendidly and are on six game winning streaks. The visiting Bluebirds are looking for their first win in the series in seven years. Covington Catholic looks to extend their domination in the rivalry to double digit victories.

#22 HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS (6-2, 2-0) at #11 COVCATH COLONELS (6-1, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., October 14, 2022
Dennis Griffin Stadium, Wooten Field
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Highland brings weapons at the skill positions in waves on offense. Senior Charlie Noon has done-it-all in his career. He is the team’s leading receiver this year after starting quarterback the previous two seasons. Noon has thrown for 2,233, ran for 1,914 yards, caught 48 balls for 762 yards with 23 passing touchdowns, 16 rushing scores, seven touchdowns receiving and another on a punt return in his career. The Bluebirds are also chirping about their bright future with juniors, quarterback Brody Benke, running back Cameron Giesler and receiver Carson Class. Benke has thrown for 1,544 yards and accounted for 23 touchdowns (19 pass, four rush). Giesler leads the team with 476 yards and 10 scores on the ground. Class is tied for the team lead with Noon with seven touchdown receptions on 20 receptions. Kicker Davis Burleigh has been a huge factor on special teams, connecting on all 40 of extra points and 9-11 field goals for a team high 67 points.

Covington Catholic running back Owen Leen has found his grove on offense. The junior has 536 of his 686 yards rushing, 10 of his 19 receptions, 154 of his 217 receiving yards and seven of his nine touchdowns (six rush) in the last four games. Classmates Willie Rodriguez and Evan Pitzer can also do damage. Rodriguez is 21.1 yards on 14 receptions with five touchdown catches. Pitzer has racked up 1,129 yards of total offense (870 pass, 259 rush) and accounted for 11 touchdowns (eight pass, three rush). Linebacker Aiden Jones is putting his name in the conversation for Northern Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year. The senior has 46 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for losses, four-and-a-half sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. 

TEAM TRENDS: Covington Catholic has won consecutive games in this rivalry dating back to 2016. The Colonels have ended Highlands’ season in the playoffs three times in the last four years. Before that the Bluebirds had won 15-straight in the series from 2007 to 2015 including knocking Covington out of the postseason on six occasions in that span.

Highlands has won six games in a row and scored 50 points or more in the last four of those tilts while the defense has pitched shutouts the past two weeks. The Bluebirds have 43 offensive touchdowns (21 rush, 22 pass) and 13 different players have found the end zone.

Covington Catholic has not allowed more than 19 points and just 10.0 points per contest during its six-game winning streak. Three of those victories have been eight points or fewer.

HEAD COACHES:
Highlands: Bob Sphire (11-8 at Highlands, second year; 216-123 overall, 34th year) 

Covington Catholic: Eddie Eviston (83-20 at Covington Catholic, eighth year; 118-28 overall, 11th year) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Highlands
State Champion (23) – 2014 (4A), 2012 (4A), 2011 (4A), 2010 (5A), 2009 (5A), 2008 (5A), 2007 (5A), 2004 (3A), 2000 (3A), 1999 (3A), 1998 (3A), 1996 (3A), 1992 (3A), 1989 (3A), 1982 (3A), 1982 (3A), 1981 (3A), 1977 (3A), 1975 (3A), 1970 (3A), 1968 (2A), 1964 (2A), 1961 (2A) & 1960 (2A).

State Runner-up (six) –  2013 (4A), 2003 (3A), 1995 (3A), 1966 (2A), 1963 (2A) & 1959 (2A).

Covington Catholic
State Champion (eight) – 2019 (5A), 2017 (5A), 2006 (3A), 1997 (3A), 1994 (3A), 1993 (3A), 1988 (3A) & 1987 (3A).

State Runner-up (one) – 2018 (5A).

HIGHLANDS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Bring the pressure and use the depth on offense at the skill positions to wear down the Colonels by the time the fourth quarter rolls around. Push the envelope and control the pace of the game. Ending the losing streak to CovCath should be plenty of emotional motivation for the Bluebirds but they need to be aware of not letting it consume their play on the field.

COVINGTON CTHOLIC’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Do not get into a shootout on the scoreboard with Highlands. That battle favors the visitors. Use the extra a week to prepare for the Bluebirds to their advantage and come out polished, not rusty.

Prediction: Covington Catholic 28, Highlands 27 

 

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