Introduction

Four of the truly quality programs in the state will have the opportunity to showcase their talents on the beautiful synthetic turf at Joseph K. Ford Stadium.   Lexington Catholic coach Bob Sphire had his first home game nine years ago on a soccer field but now he plays his home games on a state-of-the-art surface.

Game One will feature defending state 4A Champion St. Xavier against Madison Central.   The second game will pit traditional 3A power Covington Catholic against the homestanding 2A power Lexington Catholic.

St. Xavier (0-0) vs. Madison Central (0-0)

St. Xavier is coming off a 14-1 record and a state championship last season but loses 14 starters from that team.  However, coach Mike Glaser doesn't rebuild, he merely reloads.  St. Xavier will be led this year by QB Eric Saling.  Madison Central is coming off an 8-4 season and coach paul Rains must replace QB Ryan Jones, a prolific passer and the game-breaking skills of TB Tee Parks.  Coach Rains has moved outstanding FB Joey Duff to QB for the 2000 campaign.

St. Xavier totally dominated this game, winning by a score of 56-3.  St. Xavier utilized their powerful running game and an opportunistic defense that forced six turnovers to keep Madison Central at bay.  QB Eric Saling passed for one TD and ran for another.  RB William Thomas rushed for 102 yards on eight carries and scored one TD on a 30 yard run.  Aaron Jackson caught three passes for 68 yards and one score.  Billy Kute snared two receptions for 71 yards and a 57 yard scoring reception.

St. Xavier was as good as advertised and will be a real threat to win another title this year.  Madison Central will win games this year and has some offensive weapons at their disposal.  Joey Duff will be a threat both running and passing and Tamian Dean, a transfer from Tennessee, will help at running back.  QB Eric Saling was named MVP for St. Xavier and QB Joey Duff claimed MVP honors for Madison Central.

St. Xavier  56         Madison Central  3
 

School	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
St. Xavier	21	7	21	7	56
Madison Central	0	3	0	0	3

St. X - Jeff Hoza 7 yard run (kick fails)
St. X - Eric Saling 1 yard run (run fails)
St. X - Justin Bickett 38 yard field goal
St. X - Hunter Jacobs recovers fumble in end zone (kick fails)
St. X - William Thomas 30 yard run (John Andris kick)
MC  - Joey Herbst 43 yard field goal
St. X - Eric Saling 57 yard pass to Billy Kute (Andris kick)
St. X - Todd Lewis 44 yard pass to Aaron Jackson (Andris kick)
St. X - Matt Rives 43 yard run (Andris kick)
St. X - Brad Mulhall 4 yard run (Bickett kick)
 

Covington Catholic (0-0) vs. Lexington Catholic (0-0)

Covington Catholic is coming off a 4-7 year and coach Lynn Ray is eager to lead the Colonels back to their accustomed lofty standing.  Lexington Catholic  is coming off an 11-2 campaign but So. QB Jacob Doss will be taking over for QB Ryan Neff and will be operating behind a rebuilt offensive line.  The transition will be made easier by the return of WR Clay Wolford, who hauled in a state record 25 scoring receptions last year.

This was truly a game within a game as Lexington Catholic dominated the first and fourth quarters for a 28-13 victory.  Jacob Doss got off to a great start hitting Clay Wolford with a 67 yard scoring strike to give Lexington Catholic an early 7-0 lead.  Covington Catholic pulled within one, 14-13 early in the third quarter on a 1 yard run by Zack Gadberry.  The kick failed and Lexington Catholic retained the lead.  Lexington Catholic scored twice in the final quarter on 10 and 5 yard TD runs by Aaron Neff to claim the victory.

Jacob Doss completed 10 0f 17 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown pass.  Clay Wolford had four receptions for 127 yards.  Seth Christian carried the ball 18 times for 97 yards.  Aaron Neff toted the pigskin 17 times for 94 yards and found the end zone three times.  Tim Grogan, the Covington Catholic QB, was 12 of 28 through the air for 144 yards and one scoring toss.  Pete Dressman caught 7 passes for 74 yards and one score.  Co-MVPs for Lexington Catholic were Aaron Neff and  Clay Wolford.  The Covington Catholic MVP was TE David Paul.

Lexington Catholic  28         Covington Catholic  13
 

School	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Covington Catholic	0	7	6	0	13
Lexington Catholic	14	0	0	14	28

LC - Jacob Doss 67 yard pass to Clay Wolford (Tripp Eckerline kick)
LC - Aaron Neff 1 yard run (Eckerline kick)
CC - Tim Grogan 37 yard pass to Pete Dressman (Blake Gehring kick)
CC - Zack Gadberry 1 yard run (kick blocked)
LC - Neff 10 yard run (Eckerline kick)
LC - Neff 5 yard run (Eckerline kick)
 

Selected Statistics
 
 

Covington Catholic						Lexington Catholic
Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long		Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long
Applegate	6	46	7.7	15		Se. Christian	18	97	5.4	22
Ryan	8	45	5.6	14		Neff	17	94	5.5	19
Chadwick	14	13	0.9	6		Fitzgerald	1	2	2.0	2
Gadberry	2	7	3.5	6		Doss	7	-16	-2.3	14
Passing	A-C-I	Yds	TD	Long		Passing	A-C-I	Yds	TD	Long
Grogan	28-12-0	144	1	37		Doss	17-10-1	195	1	67
Receiving	No.	Yds	TD	Long		Receiving	No.	Yds	TD	Long
Dressman	5	74	1	37		Wolford	4	127	1	67
Albanese	2	40	0	34		Schenk	3	33	0	13
Sogar	2	5	0	5		Se. Christian	2	13	0	7
Applegate	1	12	0	12		Logan	1	22	0	22

 

Other Area Games of Interest
 
 

Recreation Bowl
Highlands	42	Trinity	29
Boyle Co.	69	Breathitt Co.	8

 

Constitution Bowl
Danville	35	Corbin	6

 

Kickoff Classic
South Oldham	33	Henry Co.	0

 

Bowling Green	20	Christian Co.	9
Madison Southern	48	Williamsburg	8
Scott Co.	48	Grant Co.	12
Belfry	35	Bourbon Co.	26