NEWPORT (Class AA)

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SCHEDULE Aug. 27 NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC Sept. 3 at Dayton Sept. 10 BEECHWOOD Sept. 17 WEST CARTER Sept. 24 at Campbell County Oct. 1 at Fleming County Oct. 8 at Mason County Oct. 15 LLOYD Oct. 22 BATH COUNTY Oct. 29 at Russell (All games at 7:30 unless noted) Coach: Roy Lucas Sr. (169-110) Outlook: Newport has reached the postseason in each of Lucas' four seasons here, and its No. 7 ranking in the Courier-Journal's state coaches poll indicates it's surely headed back. What happens when it gets there? Realignment did Newport some favors, but not enough. Perennial district rival Lawrence County was moved up to Class AAA, and Breathitt County -- which bounced Newport from the playoffs in 1996 and '98 -- was moved to another region. But Newport now shares a region with Lexington Catholic, the preseason state No. 1. The Wildcats have 17 seniors who should make this another special season. Two of them, Charlie Smith and Nick Partin, are the unquestioned stars. Last year, Smith ran for 1,204 yards and 18 TDs while throwing for 1,194 yards and 11 TDs. Partin ran for 1,503 yards and 14 TDs. Newport must find two new offensive linemen and big-play threats in its receiving corps. If it can, look out. A Sept. 10 matchup with Beechwood will give the Wildcats a good taste of what the likes of Lexington Catholic might offer in the postseason.

ROSTER Name Pos Ht Wt Yr Mike Alford OG-DE 6-0 220 12 Greg Asher FB-LB 5-10 200 10 Matt Atkins OT-DE 6-3 250 12 David Bargo FB-LB 6-0 200 12 Jason Barnes WR-DB 5-7 150 12 L.C. Bedford OT-DT 5-7 265 12 Eddie Bivens TE-LB 6-3 200 12 Josh Bucchi OC-DT 5-8 180 10 Chris Byrd WR-LB 6-0 170 12 Mark Crank OG-DE 5-9 180 11 Brian Cropper TE-DE 6-1 175 10 Justin Daniels OC-N 6-0 200 12 Brian Ewing WR-DB 5-10 165 12 Chuck Gentry OG-DE 6-0 190 10 Mike Hawkins OG-N 5-10 225 12 Michael Headen WR-DB 5-10 155 10 Raymond Johnson WR-DB 5-8 155 12 Chris Jones RB-LB 6-0 175 10 David Kohrs TE-LB 6-1 180 11 Dennis Kowolonek OT-DT 6-5 265 11 Andy Mickleson QB-LB 5-9 165 9 Dustin Murray QB-LB 6-1 190 11 Doug Newton WR-DB 6-0 170 12 Richard Norris OG-DE 6-0 185 10 Nick Partin RB-DB 5-10 180 12 Tony Pompillio WR-DB 5-9 165 12 Bert Robb FB-LB 5-9 175 12 James Roland WR-DB 5-8 150 11 Kline Rooney WR-DB 5-5 145 10 Bobby Short OT-DT 5-9 250 11 Charlie Smith QB-LB 5-10 220 12 R.J. Smith WR-DB 5-7 155 11 Chris Strebel WR-LB 6-0 170 12 Scott Waechter WR-DB 5-11 160 10 Demetrius Williams RB-DB 5-10 175 10 Joe Williams FB-LB 5-9 170 10 Tony Wilson WR-DB 5-6 135 10