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Five seniors have played dual roles in CovCath’s return to Class 5A state championship game


By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Covington Catholic’s football team has five two-way starters on the depth chart it submitted for the Class 5A state championship game against Fredrick Douglass at 8 p.m. Saturday at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field.

The double-duty player most people talk about is Michael Mayer, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound tight end and linebacker who’s considered one of the best high school seniors in the nation. Mayer has lived up to those accolades by leading the undefeated Colonels in tackles (90), pass reception yardage (902) and points scored (110).

CovCath senior Daniel Felix is the team’s leading rusher and ranks second in points scored and tackles. (Photo by Dale Dawn)

The player who ranks second behind Mayer in two of those categories is also having an exceptional senior season, but he’s often been overshadowed by his highly regarded teammate.

“It’s OK with me, as long as we’re winning,” said Daniel Felix, a starting running back and linebacker. “All I want is for us to win.”

Felix is listed as 6-foot-1, 190 pounds on the CovCath roster, but those numbers could be padded a bit. He doesn’t have the physical size or athletic ability that made Mayer a hot college prospect who signed with Notre Dame, but Felix has played a dual role in the Colonels’ successful season.

On offense, Felix has rushed for a team-high 780 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also caught two touchdown passes and scored a two-point conversion for a total of 98 points that ranks second behind Mayer.

The Colonels have used a trio of running backs this season to offset the graduation of Casey McGinness, who rushed for 2,140 yards and 35 touchdowns on last year’s state runner-up team. Felix, who picked up only 41 yards on 10 carries last year, emerged as the team leader with his hard charging style of play.

“I always looked up to Casey. He was a very good runner,” Felix said. “With him gone, I kind of took it upon myself to be the best I could be this year. I know I’m not as good a runner as him, but I make up for it in other aspects.”

On defense, Felix has made 69 tackles that also rank second behind Mayer, but he does lead the team in quarterback sacks with nine. In last week’s 28-0 win over Bowling Green, Felix made seven solo tackles, including two sacks, to help post the shutout.

Michael Mayer

“Our coaching staff did a great job of preparing us,” Felix said after the game. “Everybody just went out and played balls to the wall because we wanted to get back to the state final.”

The other two-way starters on CovCath’s depth chart are Carter Martin at right guard and defensive end, Zach Allen at left guard and nose tackle and Andy Molique at wide receiver and corner back. Like Mayer and Felix, they’re all seniors who want to end their high school careers with a state championship ring.

In the Colonels’ four previous playoff victories, Mayer made 24 tackles and caught 12 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. He was recruited as a tight end by Notre Dame, so he’ll be playing linebacker for the last time in Saturday’s state final.

“Obviously, he’s a special player, but you need the other 10 guys around you to get things done and do it the right way,” CovCath coach Eddie Eviston said. “He’s the leader of our group, but there’s guys all over the defensive side making plays and doing what they’re supposed to do. It’s just a good group.”

CovCath will be facing an undefeated Fredrick Douglass team that’s averaging 364 yards and 43 points per game. The Broncos’ offense revolves around senior quarterback Josh McClurg, who has 1,393 yards passing and 1,013 yards rushing.

Last week, however, Fredrick Douglass was limited to 214 yards of total offense during a 28-17 win over Owensboro. The Broncos scored two of their four touchdowns in that game on a punt return and interception return.

“In a state championship, I don’t think there are any favorites,” coach Eviston said. “It’s going to be two well-deserving teams who got there. I’m sure whoever wins that game will be deserving as well. We’re just looking forward to it.”

State championship games at University of Kentucky

FRIDAY, DEC. 6
Class 1A — Pikeville (13-0) vs. Paintsville (11-3), 2 p.m.
Class 3A — Belfry (10-3) vs. Bell County (14-0), 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
Class 2A — Mayfield (12-1) vs. Somerset (13-1), 1 p.m.
Class 4A — Johnson Central (14-0) vs. Boyle County (14-0), 4:30 p.m.
Class 5A — Covington Catholic (14-0) vs. Fredrick Douglass (14-0), 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
Class 6A — Louisville Male (14-0) vs. Louisville Trinity (12-2), 2 p.m.


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