Friday, October 13, 2000
Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. games
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
Highlands (6-1) at Dixie Heights (4-3)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Dixie Heights HS, 3010 Dixie Highway, Edgewood
WHAT TO KNOW: The current Highlands team wasn't born and head coach Dale Mueller was just out of high school the last time Dixie Heights beat the Bluebirds - a 27-7 victory in 1973. The closest the Colonels have come since was a 7-6 loss in 1994, Mueller's first year at Highlands.
Tonight's Class AAA district game is more important for Dixie because the Colonels lost to Holmes last week. A loss tonight drops Dixie to 1-2 in the district and in danger of missing the playoffs if they lose to Conner and Covington Catholic the next two weeks.
The obvious strategy for Dixie is to contain Highlands senior quarterback Gino Guidugli (118 of 196 for 2,011 yards, 25 touchdowns), senior receiver Brett Hamblen (35 catches for 805 yards, 18 TDs) and junior running back Eamon Mueller (95 carries, 472 yards, 11 TDs).
Highlands has some worries on defense, too. Dixie sophomore quarterback Matt O'Toole has thrown for 1,090 yards, and senior Dan Ollberding has 19 catches for 475 yards to go with his 186 rushing yards and a 28.5 yard average per kickoff return.
PICK: Highlands.
Boone County (4-3) at Lexington Bryan Station (4-3)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Bryan Station HS, 1866 Edgeworth Drive, Lexington
WHAT TO KNOW: Boone County's difficulty in scoring from inside the 10-yard line and being short on running backs might be starting to catch up with the Rebels — they have two losses in the last three games by a total of seven points.
The Boone County injury list is long: running back Timmy King, lineman Jamie Hammer and tight end Ben Brown are gone for the year with knee injuries; sophomore running back James Brown is out with a broken leg; and lineman Bob LaManna is out for at least this week after being bitten by a poisonous brown recluse spider last week.
In tonight's Class AAAA district game, Boone County faces one of Kentucky's best running backs, Bryan Station senior and Mr. Football candidate Eric Shelton.
PICK: Bryan Station.
Holmes (6-1) at Covington Catholic (2-5)
WHEN/WHERE: 2 p.m. Saturday, Covington Catholic HS, 1600 Dixie Highway, Park Hills
WHAT TO KNOW: Holmes is 10th in the state Class AAA poll — the Bulldogs' first mention in years — but the team hasn't beaten CovCath since 1977. The Colonels lead the series 20-3.
More than anything, Holmes would love to erase the memory of last year's 34-31 loss to CovCath. Senior receiver Antwan Curry (10 touchdowns) returns to the lineup with junior running back Dartez Parm (473 rushing yards) for the offense, and junior linebacker James Jackson (21 tackles against Dixie Heights last week) shores up the defense.
PICK: Holmes.
Newport (1-6) at Lloyd Memorial (3-4)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Lloyd Memorial HS, 450 Bartlett Ave., Erlanger
WHAT TO KNOW: The fact that Lloyd coach Roy Lucas Jr. and his father, Newport's Roy Lucas Sr., meet for the first time hides some other subplots. A Lloyd victory all but eliminates Newport from the Class AA playoffs and ends a five-year losing streak.
PICK: Lloyd Memorial.
Other games
Beechwood over Holy Cross
Bellevue over Ludlow
Lexington Henry Clay over Campbell County
Conner over Scott
Newport Central Catholic over Dayton
Grant County over Montgomery County
Ryle over Scott County
Last week: 10-2. Season: 73-21, .777.
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
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Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. games
