Preview: #15 Highlands at #17 Covington Catholic

We head south, for one of the great rivalries in Northern Kentucky as the Blitz 5 Game of the Week rolls in Park Hills. Highlands has just one win in this series over the last nine years and it was two seasons ago right here at Covington Catholic.

#15 HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS (1-0) at #17 COVINGTON CATHOLIC COLONELS (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., August 30, 2024
Dennis Griffin Stadium, Wooten Field
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quarterback Rio Litmer gets the Highlands’ offense rolling. The junior has a pair of reliable senior targets to throw to in Jackson Arnold and Adam Surrey. The duo combined for 13 touchdowns on 64 receptions a year ago. Leading the way up front is junior Max Merz. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman has offers from Louisville, Kent State, Marshall, Toledo and Troy. Tommy Ferring has moved from receiver to defensive end. He had the first three sacks of his career last week.

Highlands OL Max Merz (photo by: Chris Granger / @regnargc)

Linebacker Tate Kruer is the heart-and-soul of the Covington Catholic defense. The senior has 198 tackles and nine takeaways (six INTs, three FRs) in his career. Junior Cash Harney has moved from defensive back, where he had five interceptions in 2023, to quarterback. He threw for 638 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman at Beechwood. Harney’s classmate, receiver Donovan Bradshaw, is primed for a breakout year

TEAM TRENDS: Highlands is 12-1 (only loss to Cooper in the Class 5A state semifinals) since falling to CovCath in Week 2 last season. The Bluebirds’ defense has been a large reason for that success. They have held eight of those 13 opponents to seven points or fewer, including two shutouts. The offense hasn’t been too shabby either, averaging 43.5 points per contest, in that same span.

Covington Catholic is in jeopardy of losing three games in a row for the first time since dropping the first four tilts of 2015. Last week the Colonels dropped their first regular season road game since September 17th, 2021 (versus Beechwood).

HEAD COACHES:
Highlands: Bob Sphire (27-11 at Highlands, fourth year; 306-114 overall, 35th year)

Covington Catholic: Eddie Eviston (100-24 at Covington Catholic, 10th year; 135-32 overall, 13th 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 (two) – 2023 (4A), 2018 (5A).

HIGHLANDS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: The Bluebirds moved the ball in the opener but only found the end zone twice. The offense must do a better job of stretching the field through the air to keep the Covington Catholic from stuffing the box. Highlands averaged just 4.2 yards per pass attempt and just 7.2 yards per completion versus Lexington Catholic in Week 1.

COVINGTON CTHOLIC’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Winning the battle in the trenches is a must against a big Highlands clan along both sides of the line. The defense has to tighten the screws. It will be another long night if they give up 30 points like they did at Ryle last week. The Colonels offense has to take a step up and move the chains with the run, more consistently. 

Prediction: Highlands 21, Covington Catholic 13

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