By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Four quarterbacks who started the season with little or no varsity experience will be running the offenses for Northern Kentucky football teams in regional championship games on Friday.
The Covington Catholic and Beechwood teams that won state championship trophies last season are back in the hunt for titles with sophomore newcomers behind center.
Beechwood quarterback Cameron Hergott
Cameron Hergott transferred to Beechwood for his sophomore season and the Tigers are three wins away from a third consecutive Class 1A state championship. Hergott has passed for 1,427 yards and 20 touchdowns going into Friday’s regional final at home against Frankfort at 7:30 p.m.
CovCath sophomore quarterback Caleb Jacob has passed for 2,306 yards and 23 touchdowns as a replacement for three-year starter A.J. Mayer, who led last year’s team to the Class 5A state title. The Colonels will try to continue their 27-game winning streak in a home game against long-time rival Highlands at 7 p.m. Friday.
Conner and Simon Kenton made it to the regional finals in the Class 6A playoffs with quarterbacks who saw limited action last season in backup roles for senior starters.
Simon Kenton senior Caleb Farfsing is the team’s offensive leader with 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns passing along with 1,211 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing. He’ll try to improve on those numbers in a home playoff game against Scott County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Conner junior Jared Hicks missed four games this season with a shoulder injury and still managed to pass for 1,130 yards and five touchdowns. He has also scored three rushing touchdowns for the Cougars, who will play at Madison Central on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands quarterback Grady Cramer could also be considered a first-year starter, but he actually took over the position in the Bluebirds’ final two games last season and threw for 420 yards and five touchdowns. This season, he has passed for 1,989 yards and 21 TDs in 12 games.
This is Walton-Verona senior Garrett Jones’ second year as starting quarterback in the Bearcats’ run-oriented offense. He’s averaging just 47 passing yards per game with 12 touchdowns going into his team’s Class 2A home playoff game against Glasgow at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Friday’s football playoff games
CLASS 1A
Frankfort (8-3) at Beechwood (9-2), 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 2A
Glasgow (11-1) at Walton-Verona, 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Highlands (10-2) at Covington Catholic (12-0), 7 p.m.
CLASS 6A
Conner (9-3) at Madison Central (9-3), 7:30 p.m.
Scott County (9-3) at Simon Kenton (10-2), 7:30 p.m.
