Preview: Covington Catholic vs. Boyle County
- Updated: November 30, 2023
Covington Catholic LB Tate Kruer (photo by Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)
The Covington Catholic Colonels are back in the KHSAA state title game for the first time since the big championship run in 2019. However, the competition will look a little different this time around as the Colonels are playing the 4A title game, as opposed to the 5A title game. With the move down a class comes the possibility of facing Kentucky powerhouse Boyle County Rebels, winners of the last three state championships in Class 4A. Both teams enter the game 4-0, boasting dynamic offenses and stout defenses. This should be a low-scoring affair Friday night at Kroger Field in Lexington.
COVINGTON CATHOLIC COLONELS (14-0) vs. BOYLE COUNTY REBELS (14-0)
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m.
Kroger Field, University of Kentucky
Follow on X: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: For Covington Catholic, the offense runs through quarterback Evan Pitzer. Of his 226 pass attempts, 163 were completed and only four were picked off. He has also tossed 32 touchdown passes in the 2023 campaign. Braylon Miller is the biggest recipient of those Pitzer passes, racking up 859 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while Willie Rodriguez leads in receiving touchdowns with 12. On the ground, Watch for Owen Lee to be a tough tackle, while Pitzer is also dangerous on his feet. Defensively, Tate Kruer is a monster tackler, leading the team with 109 total tackles. Joseph Harney is also a force, leading the team in interceptions.
Boyle County, meanwhile, is led by quarterback Sage Dawson, who has thrown for 2,378 yards and 28 touchdowns. Avery Bodner is a menace in the run game with 1,195 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Montavin Quisenberry is a stud who can both run and catch the ball, ranking as the team’s second leading rusher and the team’s leading receiver. Bodner is also the biggest impact player on defense as the Rebels’ leading tackler.
TEAM TRENDS: From team standpoints, these are two of the best points forced and against teams in Class 4A. In points scored, the Rebels rank second with 633 points scored, only behind Paducah Tilghman’s 688 points scored. Covington Catholic is third with 583 points scored. Defensively, Boyle County has given up the second-least amount of points while Covington Catholic has given up the fourth-least.
Another interesting bit about these two teams: both the Colonels and Rebels are 15-0 this year after losing more than one game last season. The last loss for both teams was against the same team: Frederick Douglass. Boyle County lost to Frederick Douglass in the last week of the 2022 regular season while Covington Catholic lost to Broncos in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Frederick Douglass is now in 6A.
HEAD COACHES
Covington Catholic: Eddie Eviston (100-22 at Covington Catholic, ninth year; 135-30 overall, 12th year)
Boyle County: Justin Haddix (52-3 at Boyle County, fourth year)
PLAYOFF HISTORY
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).
Boyle County: State Champion (11) – 2022 (4A), 2021 (4A), 2020 (4A), 2017 (3A), 2010 (4A), 2009 (4A), 2003 (3A), 2002 (3A), 2001 (3A), 2000 (2A), 1999 (2A),
State Runner-up (two) – 2019 (4A), 2004 (3A),
COVINGTON CATHOLICS’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Get out to an early lead. Boyle County is not a team that is used to being down or in close games. Two of the Rebels’ games this season were decided by one score or less. Put the pressure early on the Rebels by scoring early and stalling the Rebel offense in early drives.
Prediction: Covington Catholic 28, Boyle County 24
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