Defense steps up to help Dixie Heights win first Class 5A district football game by wide margin

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter

Dixie Heights won its first Class 5A district game by rushing for more than 200 yards and five touchdowns during a 44-12 victory over Boone County on a rain-soaked Saturday afternoon in Florence.

Running the ball is what the Colonels do best, but their defensive unit had been struggling. That’s why coach Patrick Burke was happy to see Boone County limited to six points before scoring in the final seconds of the running clock victory that lifted his team’s overall record to 2-3.

“That was something that over the bye week and into this week we’ve really been focusing on,” Burke said of his defense. “We were weak there to be honest at the beginning of the season and I think we’ve gotten better at that.”

It was the kind of victory the Colonels needed before facing Highlands (4-2) in their next Class 5A district game. Last year. they lost to Highlands twice by scores of 51-21 during the regular season and 40-7 in the playoffs.

“Any time you get a win going into another huge district game versus an excellent opponent, the energy that comes with a win and the confidence that comes with a win is huge,” Burke said. “We’ve got to prepare well and practice well, and we’ve got to be able to defend the run. That’s going to be the key for us moving into this week.”

The best offensive series for Boone County (2-3) in Saturday’s game was a 12-play, 72-yard drive that ended with senior running back Jaden Jackson scoring on a 6-yard run to tie the score, 6-6, early in the second quarter.

Dixie Heights responded quickly, picking up 74 yards in five plays with senior running back Amari Gregg scoring the first of his season-high four rushing touchdowns from 13 yards out.

On the Colonels’ next possession, Gregg carried the ball into the end zone on an 8-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion run that gave his team a 20-6 halftime lead.

With 2:29 left in the second quarter, Boone County senior defensive back Cole Vires intercepted a pass at the Dixie Heights 31-yard line. The Rebels got a first down at the 21, but a penalty, two tackles behind the line of scrimmage and an incomplete pass moved the ball back to the 30.

The Dixie Heights defense ended the half by blocking a field goal and went to the locker room to dry off a little bit holding a 14-point lead.

The Colonels put the game away by scoring 24 straight points in the third quarter on two more touchdown runs by Gregg and an interception return by senior safety Max Neal that added to the successful showing by the defense.

“We were reading keys, we were getting down hill, we were tackling,” coach Burke said of the defensive unit. “They got us on a couple outside zones there, but we made some corrections and cleaned that up. I’m happy with that.”

Gregg scored multiple touchdowns for the third time in five games. He’s averaging more than 140 rushing yards per game as a running back after playing quarterback the last two seasons for the Colonels.

“I’ll do anything for the team,” he said of switching positions. “If it’s for the team, I’m going to put my chin up and chest out and we’re all going to do our thing.”

Dixie Heights will need to move the ball on the ground effectively next week against Highlands to remain tied for the lead in their district with Conner and Cooper, the state’s top-ranked team in Class 5A.

“We feel confident, we feel big,” Gregg said.  “Our O-line is solid and we’re looking to run all over them. That’s our plan, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

BOONE COUNTY   0    6    0  6 — 12
DIXIE HEIGHTS      6  14  24  0 — 44

DH — David Anderson 26 run (kick blocked)
BC — Jayden Jackson 6 run (kick failed)
DH — Armani Gregg 13 run (kick blocked)
DH — Gregg 8 run (Gregg run)
DH — Gregg 23 run (Gregg run)
DH — Max Neal interception return (Gregg run)
DH — Gregg 33 run (Anderson run)
BC — Jackson 2 pass from Peyton Storer (time expired)
RECORDS: Dixie Heights 2-3, 1-0 district; Boone County 2-3, 0-1

High school football scoreboard

THURSDAY GAMES
Covington Catholic 56, Holmes 0
Lloyd 39, Newport 7
FRIDAY GAMES
Raceland 29, Newport Central Catholic 7
Cincinnati College Prep Academy 42, Holy Cross 0
SATURDAY GAMES
Cooper 24, Highlands 21
Dixie Heights 44, Boone County 12
Conner 56, Scott 0
Beechwood 61, Gallatin County 0
Harrison (Ohio) 49, Campbell County 14
Bracken County 53, Walton-Verona 8
MONDAY GAMES
Gamble Montessori at Bellevue, 5 p.m.
Ludlow at Pendleton County, 6 p.m.

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