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Prep Football Flashback: NewCath coach reached career milestone with win over Holy Cross in 2005


By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Newport Central Catholic football coach Bob Schneider moved into the top spot on the state’s career victories list when his team defeated Holy Cross, 48-7, in a Class 1A district game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005.

NewCath coach Bob Schneider points something out to an official along the sideline.

The win gave Schneider a 293-167-2 record in 40 years with the NewCath program. He continued coaching through the 2009 season and retired with a record of 345-183-2. He now ranks third in the state in career wins.

The Thoroughbreds got off to a slow start in the game against Holy Cross, but senior quarterback Sam Diehl threw touchdown passes to three different receivers in the second quarter to give his team a 28-7 halftime lead.

NewCath stretched its lead to 48-7 in the third quarter when junior Michael Vickers scored back-to-back touchdowns on a 17-yard run and 51-yard punt return. That’s when Schneider knew he had clinched the state record for career wins at that time.

“It’s awesome being part of a milestone like this,” Diehl said after the game. “He’s a legendary coach and I’m really happy for him.”

NewCath went on to win its first Class 1A state championship under Schneider that season and finished with a 13-2 record.

Here’s a look at other Northern Kentucky high school football games played on this week’s dates – Sept. 15-21.

1991 / Ludlow 21, Bellevue 7 / Friday, Sept. 20

Ludlow senior quarterback Mike Lindeman passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a 21-7 win over Bellevue. Randy Wofford was on the receiving end for both of Lindeman’s scoring throws. Bellevue’s only touchdown came on a 70-yard kickoff return by Tom Vickers. The two teams met again in a district game four weeks later and Bellevue came away with a 40-14 win.

1993 / Highlands 18, Newport Central Catholic 15 / Friday, Sept. 17

Highlands scored on a trick play in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to defeat Newport Central Catholic, 18-15. With five seconds left on the clock, Highlands lined up for a field goal that would have tied the game. But sophomore quarterback Duffer Duffy took the snap, rolled to his left and fired a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Steve Burns as time expired.

1996 / Holmes 22, Dixie Heights 16 / Friday, Sept. 20

Senior fullback Melvin Davis culminated a 32-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to give Holmes a 22-16 victory over Dixie Heights. Senior quarterback Scott Hatton had one rushing and one passing touchdown for the Bulldogs, who snapped a three-game losing streak and gave John Vander Meer his first win as the team’s head coach.

2000 / Boone County 28, Conner 7 / Friday, Sept. 15

With his team’s two top running backs out with injuries, Boone County junior Greg Bowling was pressed into service and rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns in his team’s 28-7 win over Conner. The Rebels lost their starting quarterback and tight end to injuries during the game, but they still finished with a 406-163 advantage in total yards with Bowling leading the way.

2010 / Holy Cross 41, Conner 21 / Friday, Sept. 17

Holy Cross had never beaten a Class 6A opponent until senior quarterback Jerry Arlinghaus led the Indians to a 41-21 win over Conner. Arlinghaus threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a pair of 1-yard runs. Conner senior quarterback Cy Smith also had a good night, passing for 275 yards and scoring one of his team’s four rushing touchdowns.


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