By Ben Miller
NKyTribune sports reporter
After losing to Newport 18-3 in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs last season, Holy Cross got its revenge exactly one year later, shutting out the Wildcats 26-0 behind a dominant rushing attack Friday night.
“We have been waiting a year for it,” Holy Cross coach Curt Spencer said of the rematch victory. “We knew what we needed to do, and the kids stepped up and did what we asked them to do this week. We played good, controlled football, ran the ball really well and took advantage of our opportunities.”
The Indians totaled 250 yards of offense, including 211 rushing yards, and captured their first postseason district championship since 2016.
Holy Cross received the opening kickoff and immediately established its ground game behind running backs Dustin Wilson and Class 1A District 4 Player of the Year Charlies Oglesby.
On third-and-2 from the Newport 15-yard line, Oglesby rushed for 11 yards to move the ball to the 4. A few plays later, Wilson capped the 11-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Newport started its first possession at its own 31-yard line, but the drive quickly unraveled. A bad snap pushed the Wildcats back to their 13. A false-start penalty made matters worse, and the Wildcats eventually punted on fourth-and-30.
After a scoreless second quarter, Holy Cross opened the second half with a momentum-changing play, recovering an onside kick at the Newport 45-yard line.
“Our special teams have been good all year,” Spencer said. “I had five freshmen on there leading up until this game and had to change it out because we knew they were a talented team and could take it to the house on every play.”
Holy Cross quarterback Brian Ferguson capped an 11-play drive with an 8-yard touchdown run that extended the Indians’ lead to 13-0 with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter.
Holy Cross recovering another squib kick at the Newport 35-yard line, but Newport’s defense kept the Indians from capitalizing on that play.
Later in the quarter, Xavier Thornberry returned a punt 12 yards to the Newport 21, setting up excellent field position. Three plays later, Ferguson scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to give Holy Cross a commanding 20-0 lead with 2:25 remaining in the third quarter.
“He is like having a coach on the field,” Spencer said of Ferguson. “Brian is a guy who has a high football IQ and is a special kid.”
Newport’s best scoring opportunity came early in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats elected to go for it on fourth-and-5 from the 24-yard line, but Damarco Jackson’s pass was knocked down with 11:55 remaining.
After an illegal substitution penalty backed Holy Cross up to the Newport 28-yard line on its next drive, Ferguson responded with an 11-yard run. A few plays later, Wilson broke free for a 13-yard touchdown run, putting the finishing touches on a dominant performance.
“He is a hard runner,” Spencer said of Wilson. “He’s second in rushing, and he and Oglesby complement each other really well. One week it’s Charlie, the other week it’s Dustin. This was Dustin’s week. He had a heck of a game.”
Wilson had 15 carries for 78 yards and scored twice. Ferguson finished with 10 carries for 57 yards and two TDs. Oglesby provided 50 yards on 19 carries in the payback victory.
Newport finished with just 47 total yards of offense, including six passing yards and 41 rushing yards. The Wildcats were also went 0 for 7 on third and fourth down conversions.
With the victory, Holy Cross (10-2) advances to the Class 1A region finals and will face Bethlehem (11-1) next Friday in Bardstown.
“Very talented team,” Spencer said. “I’ve seen a little bit of film on them, but it will be a battle.”
HOLY CROSS 6 0 14 6 — 26
NEWPORT 0 0 0 0 — 0
HC — Dustin Wilson 1-yard run (kick missed)
HC — Charlie Ferguson 8-yard run (Gabriel Romito kick)
HC — Ferguson 5-yard run (Romito kick)
HC — Wilson 13-yard run (kick failed)
RECORDS: Holy Cross 10-2, Newport 6-6.