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Colonels’ second half surge topples Highlands

Covington Catholic TE/DE Willie Rodriguez (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

FORT THOMAS, Kentucky – The Blitz 5 Game of the Week took us to Fort Thomas as the Highlands Bluebirds hosted the Covington Catholic Colonels on Friday night. The two squads renewed their long standing rivalry on a hot and humid night in northern Kentucky. Both teams and fans were filled with anticipation for the contest and it showed as both state powers put forth great effort in front of a capacity crowd. There could only be one winner however and in this case it was Covington Catholic who came away with a 35-21 hard fought victory.

CovCath got things started early. After winning the toss they elected to take the ball and went right to work. The passing game was going early as quarterback Evan Pitzer found several different wideouts on the drive as the Colonels marched down the field quickly and into Highlands territory. The Bluebirds defense held on a third down, but a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct kept the Colonels on the field and down to the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Pitzer took the quarterback draw into the endzone for a touchdown to cap a drive over seven minutes. The PAT was missed and CovCath led 6-0.

Highlands would answer quickly. Cam Geisler started the drive with back-to-back big runs to put the Bluebirds into CovCath territory. Quarterback Brody Benke mixed in some QB runs and Geisler capped the drive with a 20-yard scamper. The PAT was good and Highlands took a 7-6 lead. CovCath QB Evan Pitzer connected on a slant with Braylon Miller who went 54 yards for a late first quarter touchdown that was taken off the board by a holding call. The Colonels would punt to start the second stanza.

PHOTO GALLERY: Covington Catholic at Highlands

Both defenses would tighten in the second as each team was forced to punt. Things changed when quarterback Brody Benke called a keeper for a 76-yard touchdown outrunning the entire secondary. Highlands took a 14-6 lead late in the quarter. CovCath would respond with a gritty drive to end the half. Pitzer hooked up with Braylon Miller for a 9-yard score with one second remaining in the half. Pitzer would take in the conversion himself to tie the game at 14 at the half.

The second half got off to a shaky start. After forcing a three and out, Pitzer was sacked and fumbled giving Highlands great field position in the red zone. The Bluebirds could not convert and botched the snap on their field goal attempt. They would then force a three and out from CovCath but muffed the ensuing punt, this time giving the Colonels great field position. They would not squander the opportunity as they would finish the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Pitzer to Willie Rodriguez. After the PAT CovCath led 21-14.

The Colonels defense made a huge play on the next possession as Cash Harney picked off Brody Benke and returned it to the house 37 yards for another CovCath touchdown and a 28-14 lead. Cam Geisler helped the Bluebirds strike right back with a 37-yard touchdown run and cut the lead back to seven at 28-21 after three quarters.

Early in the fourth the Colonels threatened again. Pitzer found Rodriguez for a 33-yard gain down inside the 10-yard line. A play later he would find Owen Leen for a touchdown pass and a two score lead. After a long Bluebirds’ drive, Highlands would turn the ball over on downs on fourth and goal from the 3-yard line when Benke overthrew his intended target.

The Colonels would add another interception of Benke with just under four minutes to go in the game and would run out the clock on the rivalry win.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
CovCath 6-8-14-7-35
Highlands 7-7-7-0-21


SCORING PLAYS

C: Evan Pitzer 5-yard run (kick failed)

H: Cam Geisler 20-yard run (Logan Nickelman kick)

H: Brody Benke 76-yard run (Nickelman kick)

C: Braylon Miller 9-yard rec from Evan Pitzer (conversion good)

C: Willie Rodriguez 8-yard rec from Pitzer (Andrew Weitzel kick)

C: Cash Harney 37-yard INT (Weitzel kick) 

H: Cam Geisler 37-yard run (Nickelman kick)

C: Owen Leen 13-yard rec from Pitzer (Weitzel kick)

RECORDS: Covington Catholic (1-0); Highlands (1-0)

UP NEXT: CovCath at Simon Kenton; Highlands vs. Campbell County

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