The NKyTribune will be providing focused coverage of NKY high school football throughout the season, thanks to support from St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sports Medicine. See all of our pre-season features on each of NKY’s 21 high school football teams and follow our coverage, including roundups each week at Northern Kentucky High School Football.
By Terry Boehmker
NKy Tribune sports reporter
The most successful season in the history of the Bishop Brossart football program came to an abrupt end last November when Raceland knocked off the Mustangs, 22-14, in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs.
Brossart quarterback Chase Keller
Most of the players responsible for Brossart’s best-ever 9-2 record last season graduated, but their replacements kept the team from backsliding. The Mustangs finished the 2016 regular season with an 8-2 record and get a rematch with Raceland in the opening round of the playoffs on Friday.
Brossart was part of a three-way tie for first place in its Class 1A district. A tiebreaker formula dropped the team to third place and that set up another playoff game with Raceland (8-2). But evening the score in Friday’s rematch won’t be easy for the Mustangs.
The Rams are averaging 35.7 points and 429.4 yards per game with a dual threat offensive attack. Senior quarterback Nathaniel Davidson has passed for 2,401 yards and 22 touchdowns while senior running back Bailey Walker has rushed for 1,050 and 11 TDs.
A big part of Brossart’s success this year has been the play of senior quarterback Chase Keller. In his first season as a varsity starter, he has passed for 1,684 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 669 yards rushing and 10 TDs.
Earlier this season, Brossart coach Paul Wiggins commented on Keller’s offensive skills.
“He’s better at (throwing) the long balls than we’ve had in a while,” Wiggins said. “Plus, he’s quick and he’s fast. He does a pretty good job if there’s nothing there (passing), he just takes off with the ball. That’s been a real challenge (to defend) for the teams that we’ve played so far.”
Keller’s primary target on pass plays has been junior receiver Bryce Donnelly. With his exceptional speed and athleticism, he has picked up 775 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on just 29 receptions.
Brossart is one of 20 local football teams that have first-round playoff games in five classes this week. The action begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when Holy Cross takes on Owen County in a Class 2A game at Covington Catholic High School.
Ryle, one of seven undefeated teams in the state playoffs, will put its perfect 10-0 record on the line in a home game against Class 6A rival Lexington Henry Clay at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Ryle won a regular season game between the two teams, 34-28, in the Bluegrass Bowl on Aug. 26.
Cooper senior quarterback Jarod Lonaker will get a chance to add to his record-setting statistics in a Class 6A playoff game at Lexington Bryan Station. He set team passing records in five categories – attempts (286), completions (164), yards (2,758), touchdowns (29) and yards per game (276) – during the 10-game regular season.
State football playoff games
(All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise)
THURSDAY
Class 2A – Region 3
Owen County (5-5) vs. Holy Cross (7-3) at CovCath, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Class 6A – Region 3
Henry Clay (3-6-1) at Ryle (10-0)
Paul Dunbar (3-7) at Conner (8-2)
Cooper (6-4) at Bryan Station (4-6)
Class 6A – Region 4
Clark County (1-9) at Simon Kenton (9-1)
Tates Creek (5-5) at Boone County (1-9)
Campbell County (3-7) at Madison Central (8-2)
Class 5A – Region 2
Southern (4-6) at Dixie Heights (5-5)
Fairdale (3-7) at Covington Catholic (7-3), 7 p.m.
Highlands (3-7) at Doss (5-5)
Class 4A – Region 4
Scott (2-8) at Johnson Central (9-1)
Class 2A – Region 3
Newport (1-9) at Walton-Verona (6-4)
Lloyd Memorial (5-5) at Gallatin County (6-4)
Carroll County (4-6) at Newport Central Catholic (5-5)
Class 1A – Region 2
Frankfort (3-7) at Bellevue (3-7)
Eminence (4-6) at Beechwood (9-1)
Dayton (2-8) at Kentucky Country Day (8-2)
Ludlow (3-7) at Louisville Holy Cross (6-4), 7 p.m.
Class 1A – Region 3
Brossart (8-2) at Raceland (8-2)
