CovCath football team gets back on track after 0-2 start with 42-3 victory against Simon Kenton

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

The inexperience and inconsistency that hampered Covington Catholic’s football team in back-to-back losses to start the season were swept aside Friday when a dominant home field performance resulted in a 42-3 win over Simon Kenton.

The Colonels finished with 516 yards in total offense while the defensive unit kept Simon Kenton out of the end zone with the help of four pass interceptions to record the much needed victory after getting off to an 0-2 start for the first time since 2015.

CovCath entered the season with first-year starters across the offensive line and in the backfield, but the Colonels managed to get 408 yards rushing in Friday’s game.

Junior running back Dylan Gaiser picked up 210 yards with most if it coming on touchdown runs of 38, 76 and 40 yards in the first half.

Chase Harney, who moved from wide receiver to quarterback this year, rushed for 126 yards and completed 9 of 16 passes for 108 yards and one TD. The junior’s scoring pass went to sophomore Owen Pitzer, one of the varsity newcomers in CovCath coach Eddie Eviston’s retooled lineup after losing more than 20 seniors who played on last year’s Class 4A state runner-up team.

After Gaiser’s second and third touchdown runs, Simon Kenton moved the ball into the red zone twice.  But both drives ended when Pioneers’ senior quarterback Brady Lee had passes picked off by CovCath defensive backs Brady Guard and Henry Adkins.

Lee was intercepted once more before the half ended with CovCath holding a 28-3 lead. He was picked off again on his team’s first offensive possession in the third quarter.

The senior ended up passing for 208 yards, but the Pioneers were limited to 51 rushing yards in the loss that dropped their record to 2-1.

CovCath’s final two touchdowns were scored by senior running back Andy Bessler on runs of 6 and 2 yards. The game’s leading receiver was Simon Kenton sophomore Grayson Harris, who caught 10 passes for 159 yards.

COVCATH               13  15   7   7 — 42
SIMON KENTON     0    3   0   0 —   3
CC — Dylan Gaiser 38 run (Ryan Urti kick)
CC — Owen Pitzer 8 pass from Chase Harney (kick blocked)
SK — Tyler Eveland 30 FG
CC — Gaiser 76 run (2-point conversion)
CC — Gaiser 40 run (Urti kick)
CC — Andy Bessler 6 run (Urti kick)
CC — Bessler 2 run (Urti kick)
RECORDS: CovCath 1-2, Simon Kenton 2-1.

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