The opening round of the Kentucky high school football playoffs kicked off Friday night, and most Northern Kentucky teams had convincing wins to keep their seasons alive.
CLASS 4A
COVINGTON CATHOLIC 36, JOHNSON CENTRAL 29
Johnson Central jumped out to a 14–0 lead early in the second quarter, but Covington Catholic erupted with a stunning offensive surge. On the first play after the kickoff, Cash Harney sprinted 65 yards for a touchdown, then followed a failed Golden Eagles field-goal attempt with an 80-yard scoring run on the Colonels’ next snap. After a quick three-and-out, Dylan Gaiser ripped off a 47-yard touchdown on the first play of the ensuing drive, giving CovCath a 21–14 lead after three offensive plays totaling 192 yards. Johnson Central tied the game twice, but Gaiser added touchdown runs of 46 and 29 yards in the second half as both teams traded blows. The Golden Eagles’ late score and two-point conversion ultimately lifted them back in front in the final minutes, but the Colonels would prevail in the end.
HIGHLANDS 45, ASHLAND BLAZER 7
Highlands took control early as Rio Litmer opened the scoring with a 7-yard TD pass, followed by a 4-yard Colt Kremer run for a 14–0 lead. A fourth-down 35-yard strike from Litmer to Tayden Lorenzen set up a 1-yard QB sneak to make it 21–0. Lorenzen then hauled in a sliding 18-yard touchdown grab. The Bluebirds capped the half with a wild pick-and-pitch score, as Lorenzen intercepted a pass and lateraled to Michael Tincher for a 35–0 lead and a running clock.
Highlands is quarterfinals-bound for the second time in the last year years.
Bluebirds earn a postseason running clock and hang 45 on Ashland Blazer.@WLWT | @HighlandsFB @taydenlorenzen2 @LitmerMario pic.twitter.com/HYOhO4vyXK
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) November 15, 2025
CLASS 6A
RYLE 41, LOUISVILLE BALLARD 20
Ballard opened the scoring with a fumble return, but Ryle immediately answered as Jacob Savage broke free for touchdown runs of 53 and 75 yards. The Bruins added another score, sending the game to the second quarter tied 14–14. Nathan Verax put the Raiders back in front with a rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter, then added another four minutes later to make it 28–14 at halftime. Ryle controlled the rest of the way and advances to the regional finals for the third straight year.
More Finals:
Trinity 50, Simon Kenton 0
CLASS 5A
SCOTT COUNTY 55, COOPER 34
Scott County flexed its muscle early, piling up 187 yards on just 14 plays to build a 21–7 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Timmy Emongo powered the Cardinals with three rushing touchdowns, while Cooper’s Cam O’Hara added to his historic career with his 146th TD pass in his final game in a Cooper uniform. The Jaguars fought but couldn’t slow the Cardinals’ balanced attack. Scott County pulled away for a 55–34 win, advancing to the third round as Cooper’s season closes at 8–4.
CLASS 3A
Lloyd 48, Henry Clay 20
CLASS 2A
Beechwood 42, Walton-Verona 7
Breathitt County 49, Bracken County 14
Three guarantees in life: death, taxes and Beechwood playing in the regional finals.
The Tigers are heading to the elite eight for the 19th straight season after a 42-7 win over Walton-Verona.@WLWT | @BeechwoodA @fryman_tyler @nathan_pabst pic.twitter.com/KtN24l0yYY
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) November 15, 2025
CLASS 1A
Newport Central Catholic 42, Bishop Brossart 7
Newport 18, Holy Cross 3
Listen to Newport head coach Paul Wiggins on FOXSports 1360 following his team’s big win:
Get the complete scores from all of tonight’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on Twitter.
