By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The proven playmakers returning from Covington Catholic’s undefeated state championship football team opened the new season Friday with impressive performances in a 40-7 win over Ryle. But sophomore quarterback Caleb Jacob’s debut seemed to please coach Eddie Eviston the most.
CovCath running back Casey McGinness slips a tackle to score one of his four rushing touchdowns in Friday’s game at Ryle. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Jacob completed 12 of 15 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns in his first game as the replacement for record-setting quarterback A.J. Mayer, who led the Colonels to the Class 5A state title last season.
“He did a nice job coming out and making some good reads and threw some good balls,” Eviston said of Jacob. “For the most part, he played pretty much mistake-free. I was proud of how he came out and handled himself.”
How CovCath would do without Mayer running the offense was a hot topic during the offseason. He was a three-year starter who passed for 3,114 yards and 40 touchdowns last season when the Colonels posted a perfect 15-0 record for the first time in history of the program.
When Jacobs found out last week that he would be stepping in as Mayer’s replacement, he started to feel the pressure.
“It was there, but we’ve been practicing all week and preparing so I had confidence coming in,” he said. “A.J. was a great role model last year. He taught me a lot, taught me how to do it.”
CovCath’s other three outstanding performers in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown game were all starters on last year’s state championship team.
Senior running back Casey McGinness rushed for 118 yards and four touchdowns. On his first scoring run, he couldn’t find an opening on the right side so he changed directions and weaved his way into the end zone from 14 yards out.
CovCath defensive back Jack Coldiron, left, intercepts a pass intended for Ryle receiver Leonel Galan, right. Andrew Shelton, No. 33, is the other CovCath pass defender. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Senior wide receiver Jack Coldiron scored CovCath’s second touchdown on a 70-yard pass play. He got behind the Ryle defense and made an over-the-shoulder catch on a pass from Jacob.
Coldiron also had a pass interception that was one of three take-aways for the CovCath defensive unit. Junior linebacker Michael Mayer made a team-high 12 tackles and forced a fumble that led to one his team’s touchdowns.
“Those guys are going to have to play big for us,” coach Eviston said. “We expect that out of them and hopefully they expect that out of themselves. We want them to make plays and (Friday) they did.”
Ryle quarterback Jake Smith gets trapped between two CovCath defensive players. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
The Colonels finished with a 473-258 advantage in total yardage. Ryle picked up 69 yards in its opening drive, but a fourth-down pass was broken up and the Raiders turned the ball over on downs.
Ryle scored its only touchdown late in fourth quarter against CovCath’s second-team defense. It came on a 9-yard pass from quarterback Jake Smith to Max Inabit.
“They’re a good football team, but we also shot ourselves in the foot a lot,” said Ryle coach Mike Engler. “I think we had four turnovers and they had zero. That makes a huge difference. We had some drives against them and just didn’t execute. That’s the sign of a young football team.”
Engler said CovCath’s experienced offensive linemen were another big factor in the outcome of the game. They opened running lanes for McGinness and protected Jacob when he dropped back to pass.
“Up front, we did well,” Eviston said. “That’s a good (defensive) line for Ryle, but we do have a veteran group and they played well.”
McGinness gave the offensive line credit for his big night. The four rushing touchdowns he scored puts him one shy of tying the team’s all-time career record.
“I’ve got to give it up to the offensive line,” he said. “My season would not be the same without them.”
COVCATH 14 14 12 0 — 40
RYLE 0 0 0 7 — 7
CC — McGinness 14 run (Gronotte kick)
CC — Coldiron 70 pass from Jacob (Gronotte kick)
CC — McGinness 1 run (Gronotte kick)
CC — McGinness 45 run (Gronotte kick)
CC — Schuh 60 pass from Jacob (run failed)
CC — McGinness 7 run (kick blocked)
R — Inabit 9 pass from Smith (Molique kick)
RECORDS: CovCath 1-0, Ryle 0-1.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES
FRIDAY
Covington Catholic 40, Ryle 7
Highlands 36, Cooper 7
Newport Central Catholic 41, Scott 0
Campbell County 34, Dixie Heights 3
Brossart 21, Dayton 0
Pikeville 46, Holy Cross 0
Simon Kenton 29, Meade County 28
Ludlow 28, Carroll County 14
Walton-Verona 14, West Jessamine 0
Lloyd 24, East Jessamine 12
SATURDAY
Nicholas County 42, Bellevue 27
