By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Jack Coldiron, a two-way starter on the Covington Catholic football team that was Class 5A state runner-up last season, is one of three finalists for the Brian Williams “That’s My Boy” Award that goes to the top student-athlete in Northern Kentucky high school football.
The other two finalists are John Willis, an offensive tackle for Beechwood, and Justin Grindstaff, a tight end and defensive end for Scott.
Last season, Beechwood won the Class 1A state title for the third consecutive year and Scott made it to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
A rating system that awards points for achievements in football, academics and extra curricular activities is used to decide the winner of the award that’s named in honor of a former CovCath football player who lost his life in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on New York City.
This year’s winner will be announced at the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Federation banquet on Feb. 28 at the Manor House in Mason, Ohio.
Coldiron, a Miami University recruit, was CovCath’s second leading pass receiver with 664 yards and fourth leading tackler with 41 stops. Grindstaff made 50 tackles for Scott. Willis was on the front line of a Beechwood offense that averaged more than 360 yards per game.
First-round parings set for “Sweet 16” state basketball tournaments
The two teams that played in the championship game of the boys state basketball tournament last year could meet in the first round of this year’s “Sweet 16” season finale.
Covington Catholic defeated Scott County, 73-55, in the 2018 title game and both teams are currently ranked No. 1 in their respective regions. If they both win region titles again, they’ll go against each other in the first round of the state tournament on Thursday, March 7 at Rupp Arena.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association conducted draws on Monday to decide first-round pairings in both the boys and girls state basketball tournaments. In the boys draw, the 9th Region that includes CovCath was selected to play the 11th Region that includes Scott County.
The girls state tournament will also be played at Rupp Arena. The team that wins the 9th Region girls title will play the 1st Region champion on Wednesday, March 13.
Northern Kentucky teams will also be competing for 8th Region and 10th Region titles. Here are the region match-ups for the first round of both state tournaments. Times have not yet been determined.
BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT
Wednesday, March 6 — Upper bracket
Region 13 vs. Region 8 / Region 5 vs. Region 10 / Region 3 vs. Region 16 / Region 7 vs. Region 15
Thursday, March 7 — Lower bracket
Region 9 vs. Region 11 / Region 6 vs. Region 14 / Region 12 vs. Region 2 / Region 4 vs. Region 1
GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT
Wednesday, March 13 — Upper bracket
Region 14 vs. Region 11 / Region 3 vs. Region 5 / Region 10 vs. Region 6 / Region 9 vs. Region 1
Thursday, March 14 — Lower bracket
Region 15 vs. Region 4 / Region 7 vs. Region 16 / Region 8 vs. Region 12 / Region 13 vs. Region 2
Record-setting athletes among inductees for NewCath Hall of Fame
Record-setting football players Steve Everson and Sam Diehl will be inducted into the Newport Central Catholic Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 16 in the gym.
Everson is the program’s all-time leading rusher with 5,633 yards and scorer with 415 points. Diehl holds career records in passing yardage with 6,018 and passing touchdowns with 77.
Diehl was quarterback on the 2006 Class A state championship team that will be recognized as the Team of Distinction at the banquet.
The list of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees also includes Camron Jacob, Jimmy Sandfoss, Beth Bueter Barney, Molly Messmer Simons, Jennifer Wetterstroem Wolf and former girls soccer coach Kevin Turnick.
Denny Barnes, former coach of the NewCath softball team, will receive the Coach Jim Connor Award. Steve Hellmann is this year’s recipient of the Fr. John Hegenauer Community Service Award.
The induction and awards ceremony will cap off an evening that begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 PM. The cost of the event is $25. Reservations must be made prior to Feb. 8 in the form of cash, check or credit card. For more information, contact the school office at 859-292-0001.