By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Four Northern Kentucky high school football players signed letters of intent with college teams on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period for recruits who want to finalize their recruiting before the traditional signing period in February.
Covington Catholic teammates A.J. Mayer and Kameron Butler both signed with Miami University of Ohio during a joint ceremony at school on Wednesday. They made their college commitments before the season began and played key roles in the Colonels’ drive to the Class 5A state championship that capped a perfect 15-0 record.
In his final season as CovCath’s quarterback, Mayer passed for 3,114 yards and 40 touchdowns while also rushing for 415 yards and 14 TDs. Butler, a two-way starter at linebacker and tight end, finished with 82 tackles and caught 15 passes for 229 yards and two TDs.
Two offensive linemen also finalized their college plans on Wednesday. Peyton Knippenberg signed with Eastern Kentucky University and Parker Bisek sent his letter of intent to Akron University.
Bisek was one of 10 players that Northern Kentucky high school football coaches submitted for all-state consideration this year. The 6-foot-3, 295 pound tackle was a mainstay on the Ryle offensive line over the last two seasons when the Raiders averaged more than 400 yards per game and compiled a 20-4 record.
Knippenberg was an anchor on the Conner offensive line the last two seasons and made more than 70 tackles on defense as well. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior was chosen to play in the Best of the Bluegrass All-Star Game earlier this month, along with Bisek and Mayer.
CovCath, Cooper reach quarterfinals in King of the Bluegrass
The Covington Catholic boys’ basketball team that was ranked No. 22 in the nation in the latest USA Today Super 25 extended its perfect record to 6-0 with an 84-59 win over Ensworth (Tenn.) in the King of the Bluegrass holiday tournament on Wednesday at Louisville Fairdale High School.
The Colonels shot 63.8 percent (30 of 47) from the field in their latest victory and had four double-figure scorers, including senior guards C.J. Fredrick (20 points), and Aiden Ruthsatz (18), junior forward Nick Thelen (15) and senior forward A.J. Mayer (12). Senior center Jake Walter finished with six points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Cooper defeated Pulaski County, 74-52, in the opening round of the King of the Bluegrass on Tuesday behind a 22-point performance by senior guard Adam Kunkel. In that game, Kunkel became the Jaguars’ all-time leading scorer with 1,263 points. He also holds the team’s career record for 3-point goals with 160.
The King of the Bluegrass continues Thursday with quarterfinal games in the West Gym at Fairdale. The matchups include Cooper vs. Fairdale at 6 p.m. and CovCath vs. Louisville Ballard at 7:30 p.m.
Brossart hires new head coach for volleyball team
Brianna Popham is the new head coach of the Brossart volleyball team that earned a berth in the All “A” Classic state tournament last season as the 10th Region champion.
Popham was an assistant coach on the Notre Dame volleyball staff the last two years while teaching physical education at Blessed Sacrament School in Fort Mitchell.
She was a captain on Notre Dame’s 2007 state runner-up team and went on play four seasons at Adelphi University in New York. After graduating from college, she was an assistant coach on the Adelphi staff for one season while completing her master’s degree.
“Coach Popham’s achievements as a coach, athlete, professional and student jumped off the page of her resume,” said Brossart athletic director Kevin Bundy. “She exudes confidence and has a great technical grasp for the game of volleyball.”