Friday, October 29, 1999
Northern Ky. football picks
By Neil Schmidt
Ryle (5-4) at Campbell County (2-7)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
• WHERE: Campbell County Middle School, 8000 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria
• WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle could curse the missed opportunities of its four losses. But playing for a playoff berth in Week 10 — which Ryle is — is a situation others envy.
“We're just fighting right now — new (coaching) staff, first year in (Class) AAAA, etc.,” coach Kyle Hockman said. “We're pretty much where I thought we might be.”
Ryle remains a formidable foe — the Litkenhous computer ratings tab them eighth in AAAA — capable of a long playoff run. Campbell County has played well since getting sophomore tailback Kip Mason (889 rushing yards) back from a long illness.
“They (the Camels) are probably riding as high as they have all season,” Hockman said. “This is going to be a war.”
• PICK: Ryle
Scott (2-8) at Holmes (6-3)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
• WHERE: Holmes High School, 25th and Madison, Covington
• WHAT TO WATCH: Holmes' 63-0 blowout loss last week at Highlands lingered little this week.
“We don't talk about the past,” Holmes coach John Vander Meer said. “Our focus is we've got a chance to go to the playoffs. We've got a chance to end 7-3 after going 1-9 last year.”
Holmes needs to win and have Conner lose at Highlands. Scott, 0-4 in district play, won't be overlooked; the Bulldogs lost at Scott last year.
“Scott's a good team; they and CovCath were tied 7-7 at halftime,” Vander Meer said. “They've dangerous.”
Scott has two strong rushers in Mike Bell (790 yards) and Joe Kuehne (520). Holmes' leading rusher, Eddie Bane (992 yards), missed most of last week's game with a leg injury but will play tonight.
• PICK: Holmes
Conner (4-4) at Highlands (8-1)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
• WHERE: Highlands High School, 2400 Memorial Pkwy., Fort Thomas
• WHAT TO WATCH: Conner can clinch a playoff berth if it upsets the state's top-ranked Class AAA team. That means halting a Highlands attack which averages 43.1 points and 398.3 yards per game.
“We have to stop all their fancy offense,” Conner coach Tom Stellman said. “They've got all those counters when they run the ball and last week they threw 41 times. It's a lot to prepare for.”
Highlands junior Gino Guidugli needs only 108 passing yards to join former Bluebird Jared Lorenzen as the only Northern Kentucky QBs to surpass 2,000 yards in the regular season.
Highlands grad Derek Smith will be presented his Kentucky Associated Press Boys Athlete of the Year award in a pregame ceremony.
• PICK: Highlands
Newport (8-1) at Russell (7-2)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
• WHERE: Russell High School, 709 Red Devil Lane, Russell
• WHAT TO WATCH: This district championship game will be a ground war. Russell pounds the ball with three strong running backs, while Newport appears on pace — with 2,813 rushing yards — to break the single-season school rushing mark of 3,153 set last year.
Newport TB Nick Partin, troubled most of the season with a knee injury, rebounded last week with 266 yards and five TDs against Bath County.
“Last week was the first time he looked like his old self,” Newport coach Roy Lucas Sr. said.
• PICK: Newport
Holy Cross (2-6) at Ludlow (4-5)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
• WHERE: James Rigney Stadium, on Victoria Street, Ludlow
• WHAT TO WATCH: Ludlow would clinch a Class A playoff spot with a victory. That would be just its second playoff berth in 12 years.
If it loses, it still qualifies if Dayton loses to Bellevue.
• PICK: Ludlow
Other top games
• Covington Catholic at Dixie Heights: Winner gets a home playoff opener. Pick: Dixie Heights.
• Bellevue at Dayton: Bellevue (9-0) goes for its first perfect regular season since 1951. Pick: Bellevue.
• Beechwood vs. Newport Central Catholic at Newport: Winner gets a home playoff opener. Pick: Beechwood.
• Boone County at Simon Kenton: The Rebels are rolling. Pick: Boone County.
• Last week: 8-2. Season: 69-21.
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