CovCath at Boone County

        • WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today, Boone County HS, 7056 Burlington Pike, Florence.

        • WHAT TO WATCH: Look for a battle between CovCath's passing game and Boone County's running attack.

        CovCath senior quarterback Tim Grogan threw for 1,875 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Boone County senior Greg Bowling (840 yards, 10 TDs) and junior James Brown are back after missing much of last season with injuries.

        You can also see three of Northern Kentucky's best linebackers. CovCath senior David Paul was everywhere last year; he had 165 tackles, 16 fumbles forced and five fumble recoveries. Boone County counters with seniors David Gilliland (90 tackles last season) and Mark MacFarlane (75 tackles).

        The questions: Will Boone County overcome its young offensive line and defensive secondary? Will CovCath overcome having just three returning starters on defense?

        • PICK: Boone County.

Highlands at Lex. Henry Clay

        • WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today, Henry Clay HS, 2100 Fontaine Rd., Lexington.

        • WHAT TO WATCH: Highlands begins its run to become just the second team in state history to win four straight titles (Beechwood did it from 1991-94), but it should be with a more run-oriented game. Senior running backs Eamon Mueller, Matt Gramstad and Nick Behymer are shooting for 1,000 yards apiece.

        But don't take the Blue Devils lightly. Henry Clay reached the Class AAAA regional finals and is ranked fifth in the Louisville Courier-Journal coaches poll.

        • PICK: Highlands.

NewCath at Lloyd

        • WHEN/WHERE: 8p.m. today, Lloyd HS, 450 Bartlett Ave., Erlanger.

        • WHAT TO WATCH: Look for a battle of running backs — NewCath senior Steve Everson vs. Lloyd senior Myrion Hopkins. But NewCath has the edge because of senior quarterback Jeff Smith.

        Lloyd is tied for 10th in the Courier-Journal Class AA rankings.

        • PICK: Newport Central Catholic.

Simon Kenton at Holmes

        • WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today, Holmes HS, Madison Avenue at 25th Street, Covington

        • WHAT TO WATCH: Simon Kenton has been mostly a nightmare for Holmes the past three seasons. The Pioneers are 2-1 since 1998, including last year's 40-7 victory.

        Both Holmes and Simon Kenton are thin at running back, but Holmes has junior quarterback Brandent Englemon, who threw for 1,419 yards last year.

        Holmes-Simon Kenton features two of Northern Kentucky's best linebackers. Holmes senior James Jackson recorded 153 tackles last year, and Simon Kenton's Craig Cooper had 107.

        • PICK: Holmes.

Mercer County at Scott

        • WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today, Scott HS, 5400 Old Taylor Mill Rd., Taylor Mill.

        • WHAT TO WATCH: New Scott coach R.J. Riegler, a standout linebacker at Boone County, said his first task is to make the Eagles forget about the past. It is ugly — an 18-game losing streak dating to September 1999 combined with being outscored 676-187 the last two seasons.

        Scott senior center Aaron Swomley and junior running back Mike Adams were Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference selections last year.

        • PICK: Scott.

Other games

        Louisville Holy Cross over Covington Holy Cross.

        Lawrence County over Bellevue.

        Corbin over Conner.

        Lexington Catholic over Ryle.

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