Prep Sports Report: After heavy rains, turnovers sink NewCath in 29-7 loss to Raceland

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Newport Central Catholic was one of two Northern Kentucky high school football teams that played a game Friday night after heavy rains passed through the area, but things did not go well for the Thoroughbreds in a 29-7 loss to Raceland at Covington Catholic.

NewCath had four fumbles during the game. Two of them stopped scoring drives at the 5- and 14-yard lines. The other two came on kickoff and punt returns that forfeited much-needed offensive possessions during a scoreless second half.

It was the third consecutive loss for NewCath (3-3). Raceland (2-3) snapped a two-game losing streak. In the latest statewide poll of media members, Raceland was No. 4 and NewCath was No. 6 in Class 1A.

On the first play of the second quarter, the visiting Rams took a 7-0 lead on a fourth-down touchdown pass from Jacob Wallner to Aiden Cooper that covered 27 yards.

The Thoroughbreds answered with a drive of their own, but they lost the ball at the 5-yard line on a fumbled handoff in the backfield.

A blocked punt set up NewCath’s only touchdown of the game. The ball went out of bounds inside the 5-yard line and senior running back Kaleb Cole scored on a 3-yard sweep that tied the score 7-7 at halftime.

After Raceland scored on its first possession of the second half, NewCath fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Rams recovered the ball at the 30-yard line. Six players later, they took a 22-7 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run by Landen Stiltner and two-point conversion.

The Thoroughbreds’ next offensive series ended with a fumble at the 14-yard line. Raceland was forced to punt, but the ball was fumbled and the Rams recovered once again. The visitors scored their final touchdown with 1:36 left to clinch the win.

NewCath schedules groundbreaking ceremony for $8.5 million athletic complex

Newport Central Catholic students can take part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the athletic complex to be built on campus by bringing their own shovel to school on Friday, Oct. 4, when Bishop John Iffert will bless the site.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. Parking will be available in the student lots between the high school and construction site. After the bishop’s blessing, students with shovels will break ground to begin the project.

NewCath principal Kenny Collopy said in August that $8.5 million is set aside for the complex. That money was raised through the Looking Up Campaign that netted more than $14 million in pledges for school improvements.

Hemmer Construction will build the complex that will include a synthetic turf playing field for football and soccer with lighting. A six-lane track will encircle the field with an area for field events. A building at the main entrance will include locker rooms, public restrooms, athletic offices and a press box.

The playing field will be named in honor of Bob Schneider, head coach of the NewCath football team for 44 years. Another $1.5 million is projected to be raised for future plans to build a field house near the complex with an indoor practice area for sports teams and cheerleaders.

Cooper junior posts fastest time among local cross country runners this season

Cooper cross country runner Paul Van Lanningham posted the fastest time by a local runner this season when the junior covered 5,000 meters in 15:02 at the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational in Louisville last Saturday.

The next three local runners behind him are Covington Catholic senior Will Sheets (15:03), Conner senior Nathan Hopper (15:35) and Campbell County senior Jonathan Christopher (15:49).

On the girls cross country leaderboard, Beechwood junior Lily Parke has the state’s fastest time (18:18) that she posted in August. The next three local runners behind her are Ryle senior Allison Kopser (18:38),  Campbell County senior Olivia Holbrook (18:46) and Campbell County freshman Lila Dunlevy (19:08).

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