By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Boone County’s football team will try to snap a long losing streak against Class 5A district opponents on Friday when the Rebels visit Conner in one of four district games being played that night.
Over the last three seasons, Boone County has gone 0-12 in Class 5A district games and did not qualify for the post-season playoffs. The Rebels will take a 3-2 record into Friday’s game against the Cougars, who are off to a 1-4 start.
Last week, Boone County defeated Walton-Verona, 35-24, behind an impressive performance by junior quarterback Jamarion Hocker. The first-year starter completed 11 of 13 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 94 yards on 23 carries and two TDs.
Hocker’s five-game passing statistics are 41-of-72 for 868 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. The team’s leading receiver is senior Tyler Whipple with 14 catches for 283 yards and three TDs.
Hocker and senior running back Braden McCarty have both scored three rushing touchdowns for the Rebels. McCarty is the team’s leading rusher with 409 yards on 47 carries.
The other district games on Friday’s football schedule are Covington Catholic at Conner in Class 5A, Scott at Rowan County in Class 4A, and Gallatin County at Walton-Verona in Class 2A.
NewCath boys advancing to All “A” Classic state soccer tournament
Newport Central Catholic earned a berth in the All “A” Classic boys state soccer tournament with a 3-0 win over Brossart in a sectional game on Saturday at Morscher Field.
It was the eighth shutout of the season for the 11-1-2 Thoroughbreds, who had senior Ryan Mullen at goalkeeper. The three goals were scored by Owen Roeder, Jonathan Green and Ryan Desmond, who has a team-high 13 goals on the season.
The All “A” Classic boys and girls state tournaments will be Saturday and Sunday at Capital View Park in Frankfort. NewCath will play Murray at 3 p.m. Saturday in one of four boys first-round games.
Last Wednesday, Brossart defeated St. Henry, 4-2, in a girls sectional game to advance to the All “A” Classic state tournament. Senior midfielder Jill Planeaux had two goals and one assist for the Mustangs in that victory.
Brossart’s first game in the girls state tournament is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday against the winner of the sectional game between the Region 13 and Region 14 champions.
Holy Cross loses three-set match in All “A” Classic volleyball final
The Holy Cross volleyball team won five matches in straight sets to reach the championship final of the All “A” Classic state tournament before losing to Paintsville, 18-25, 26-24, 25-18, in the title match on Saturday at Eastern Kentucky University.
Paintsville (24-2) has not lost to an in-state opponent this season. Holy Cross pushed its record to 20-3 with its other two losses coming to Notre Dame and Cooper.
The Holy Cross players named to the All “A” Classic state all-tournament team were senior setter Maya Hunt and junior middle hitters Julia Hunt and Camille Lowe.
Brossart placed second in the consolation bracket of the small-school state tournament. Somerset Christian defeated the Mustangs, 25-14, 25-12, in the consolation final.