By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
NewCath running back Demetrick Welch leaps over a Newport defender and into the end zone on one of his four touchdown runs. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Junior running back Demetrick Welch led the Newport Central Catholic football team to its fifth straight victory Friday by rushing for 209 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-26 win over Newport.
NewCath (5-1) had a slim 21-20 lead at halftime, but Welch scored one touchdown in the third quarter and two in the fourth quarter to put his team ahead, 42-20, with less than five minutes left on the clock.
In the final minutes, Newport senior running back Quincy Barber caught his third touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Kyle Lee to cap the scoring.
NewCath finished with 417 total yards (312 rushing, 105 passing). The Thoroughbreds’ first touchdown came on a 6-yard run by senior Luke Runyon, who also scored on a 36-yard pass from Kolton Smith in the second quarter.
Newport’s offensive leader was Lee, who completed 29 of 47 passes for 331 yards and three TDs. He also scored a rushing touchdown for the Wildcats (2-4), who have now lost three games in a row.
In district seeding games Friday, Conner edged Boone County, 17-14, and Covington Catholic clipped Cooper, 14-7, in Class 5A, Scott got past Rowan County, 37-34, in Class 4A and Walton-Verona routed Gallatin County, 35-8, in Class 2A.
NewCath running back Luke Runyon gets a lift from a teammate after scoring one of his two touchdowns. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
Conner took a 17-7 lead on a field goal by Andrew Herron in the third quarter. That turned out to the game-winner after Boone County quarterback Jamarion Hocker scored his team’s second touchdown and Tyler Judd kicked the extra-point in the fourth quarter to make it 17-14.
Boone County’s other touchdown was a 40-yard pass from Hocker to Tyler Whipple. Conner’s first TD came on a 14-yard pass from to Brennan Kahle to Will Nagle and Kahle got the second one on a quarterback keeper.
Campbell County sophomore wide receiver Jaiden Combs scored a touchdown on a reverse play and junior Kaden Rose kicked the extra-point on their team’s overtime possession to hand George Rogers Clark it first loss of the season, 21-20.
Clark (5-1) got the ball on the first overtime possession and scored a touchdown, but Campbell County senior defensive back Ayden Bauwens blocked the extra-point kick to set the stage for the upset victory by the Camels (3-3).
In another close game, Brossart defeated Ludlow, 10-9. The Mustangs got the go-ahead touchdown on a 44-yard pass from Austin Schadler to Nathan Schalk late in the third quarter. After a two-point safety by Ludlow made the score, 10-9, Brossart’s defense stepped up and forced the Panthers to turn the ball over on downs on their final two possessions.
High school football scoreboard
FRIDAY GAMES
Newport Central Catholic 42, Newport 26
Campbell County 21, George Rogers Clark 20 OT
Conner 17, Boone County 14
Covington Catholic 14, Cooper 7
Bracken County 24, Dayton 0
Highlands 59, Dixie Heights 14
Holmes 40, Holy Cross 27
Brossart 10, Ludlow 9
Scott 37, Rowan County 34
Walton-Verona 35, Gallatin County 8
