Friday, October 27, 2000
N.Ky. teams warm up for playoffs
Simon Kenton, Boone Co. vie for final playoff spot
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
At Simon Kenton and Boone County, the football season comes down to one game — tonight's meeting in Florence.
This is the weekend Northern Kentucky football coaches either prepare for the playoffs or put away the shoulder pads. Ten postseason berths have been clinched, but Simon Kenton and Boone County play for the fourth and final spot in their Class AAAA district.
“We have a very outside shot at the playoffs,” Boone County coach Rick Thompson said. “The kids have kept fighting.”
Indeed, the Rebels' chances are slim.
Boone County has to beat Simon Kenton and hope Lexington Bryan Station beats Lexington Henry Clay, and Campbell County upsets Ryle for the Rebels to even have a chance.
Judging from the Rebels' injury list, it's a tribute the team is still in the hunt: running back Timmy King, lineman Jamie Hammer and tight end Ben Brown went out for the year with knee injuries; running back James Brown went out with a broken leg and lineman Bob LaManna is out because he was bitten by a poisonous brown recluse spider three weeks ago.
Simon Kenton hardly has been injury free, either.
During a three-game losing streak to Henry Clay, Ryle and Bryan Station, three Pioneer defensive starters — junior linebacker Craig Cooper (ankle), junior tackle Seth Murphy (foot) and sophomore tackle Aaron Swayne (leg) — were missing. Cooper and Murphy are back tonight.
“We were forced to play with three offensive linemen going both ways,” Simon Kenton coach Jeff Marksberry said.
While Simon Kenton and Boone County fight for the last AAAA district spot, Lloyd is trying to complete a drive to a Class AA district title.
The Juggernauts play host to winless Bath County tonight, and a win plus a Mason County loss to West Carter gives Lloyd the title. A Mason County victory means Lloyd finishes second with a win or third if the Juggernauts lose.
Regardless of what happens, Lloyd has turned its season around under first-year head coach Roy Lucas Jr. The Juggernauts started 1-3 but are 4-1 in the district.
“We played a tough schedule early,” Lucas said. “You throw in three AAA schools (losses to Greenup County and Dixie Heights and a win over Scott), and you throw in (defending Class A champion) Beechwood. The kids had to learn the system.”
Other than who goes where, there is not much suspense in Class A and AAA.
In Class A, Beechwood, Bellevue, Newport Central Catholic and Dayton advance. Beechwood wins the district outright with a win over NewCath tonight and Dayton is guaranteed a trip to Nicholas County, Paris or Berea next week.
Highlands, Holmes, Dixie Heights and Covington Catholic advance in Class AAA. Dixie and CovCath battle Saturday for third place.
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
Sports Stories
First victory, first loss motivate Akili
Browns Scouting Report
More honors for Dillon
Warrick says he's better blocking
DAUGHERTY: Fans hard to find for UC football
Martin's homecoming tonight
UC's Rosfeld is a real bell-ringer
1975 World Series: Game 5
Dykstra wants to work his way up
N.Ky. teams warm up for playoffs