By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Dayton’s football team completed only six passes for 142 yards in its first three games. But the Greendevils moved the ball on the ground so well that they’re off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2020.
The addition of senior running back Kaden Anderson is one reason for the team’s success. In his first year of eligibility since transferring from Newport Central Catholic, Anderson has rushed for a team-high 321 yards on 15 carries for a 21.4 average.
He’s giving the Greendevils another offensive weapon besides junior Malachi Kennedy, who rushed for 1,509 yards on 170 carries as the workhorse in last year’s backfield. Kennedy’s current three-game rushing total is 171 yards on 25 carries for a 6.8 average.
Anderson and Kennedy have scored 10 of their team’s 16 rushing touchdowns. Keeping them out of the end zone will be the main focus of the Ludlow defensive unit in Friday’s 7 p.m. game between the teams.
Last year, Dayton rushed for 393 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-39 win over Ludlow. Kennedy picked up 277 yards on 24 carries in that game and now Ludlow’s defense has Anderson to deal with as well.
Walton-Verona handed Ludlow its first loss of the season, 33-0, last Friday by rushing for 302 yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers’ coaching staff undoubtedly spent this week working on ways to stop the run after that result.
The leading tackler on Ludlow’s defensive unit is sophomore linebacker Deaken Reed with 47 (11 solo, 36 assisted). Junior linebacker Austin Grant Ashcraft has 42 tackles (13 solo, 29 assisted) and two fumble recoveries.
A game on Friday’s schedule that could affect statewide standings is Boyle County (3-0) at Highlands (2-1) at 7 p.m. In this week’s statewide media poll, Boyle County was voted No. 1 and Highlands No. 4 in Class 4A.
Last year, Boyle County edged Highlands, 21-20, to start a 12-game winning streak that resulted in a state championship. The Rebels’ top player is 6-foot-6, 225-pound senior tight end Seneca Driver, a University of Oklahoma recruit who received offers from 40 Division I college teams.
But Driver, who scored six touchdowns in his team’s first three games, was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game against Lexington Catholic last Friday and isn’t expected to play against Highlands.
Friday night football schedule
Beechwood at Simon Kenton, 7 p.m.
Bellevue at St. Henry, 7 p.m.
Walton-Verona at Boone County, 7 p.m.
Brossart at Bracken County, 7:30 p.m.
Cooper at Campbell County, 7 p.m.
Conner at Newport Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
Covington Catholic at Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.
Dayton at Ludlow, 7 p.m.
Boyle County at Highlands, 7 p.m.
Holy Cross at Holmes, 7 p.m.
Lloyd at Cincinnati Aiken (Ohio), 7 p.m.
Newport at Taylor County, 7:30 p.m.
Ryle at Christian Academy of Louisville, 7:30 p.m.
Scott at Grant County, 7:30 p.m.