By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Simon Kenton defensive unit that allowed a cringe worthy 42.5 points and 486 yards per game last year had an uplifting season opener last Friday when the Pioneers defeated Oldham County, 56-16, on the road.
Simon Kenton took a 49-0 lead in the first half and the rest of the game was played with a running clock. In addition to limiting Oldham County to 152 total yards, the Pioneers’ defense scored a touchdown on a fumble return by senior linebacker Josh Bowling.
Simon Kenton senior linebacker Josh Bowling returned a fumble for a touchdown in a season opening win against Oldham County. (Photo from Twitter account)
It was a victory first-year head coach Roy Lucas Jr. hopes to build on after last year’s team finished 2-9. But the Pioneers’ next game comes against a Highlands team that defeated them three of the last four years.
Highlands won last year’s game by a 53-38 score, so Simon Kenton’s defense has something to prove once again in Friday’s 7 p.m. game in Fort Thomas.
The Bluebirds opened their 2022 season last Saturday with a 49-14 loss to South Warren, last year’s Class 5A state champion. In that game, Highlands had 98 yards passing, 48 yards rushing and committed five turnovers on offense.
South Warren scored on two interception returns and one fumble recovery to account for more points than the Highlands offense. The Bluebirds know they can’t afford to make that many mistakes if they want to even their record on Friday.
The only game between two local teams that both won their season openers is Holy Cross vs. Walton-Verona at 7 p.m. Friday at Thomas More University.
Last week, Walton-Verona senior running back Chris Harward scored all four of his team’s touchdowns in a 31-14 win over Scott. Holy Cross also had four rushing touchdowns in a 48-0 win over Bellevue while Javier Ward scored on an interception return and kickoff return for the Indians.
The other local game between 1-0 teams on Friday is Paintsville at Beechwood. The main focus of the Beechwood defense will be containing Paintsville running back Harris Phelps, who rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Floyd Central last week.
Beechwood is coming off a 36-0 win over Louisville Fairdale. The Tigers’ offensive leaders in that game were senior running back Mitchell Berger with 196 yards rushing and freshman quarterback Cash Harney, who completed 13 of 20 passes for 135 yards in his varsity debut.
High school football schedule
THURSDAY
Newport 7, Brossart 0
FRIDAY
Simon Kenton at Highlands, 7 p.m.
Paintsville at Beechwood, 7:30 p.m.
Bellevue at Metcalfe County, 7:30 p.m.
Scott at Boone County, 7 p.m.
Campbell County at Woodford County, 7:30 p.m.
Ryle at Conner, 7 p.m.
Cooper at Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.
Dayton at Pendleton County, 7:30 p.m.
Newport Central Catholic vs. Holmes at CovCath, 7 p.m.
Holy Cross vs. Walton-Verona at Thomas More, 7 p.m.
Lockland (Ohio) at Ludlow, 7 p.m.
Lloyd at Grant County, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Covington Catholic at Pikeville, 7 p.m.
