By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Don’t be fooled by the final score in Newport Central Catholic’s 37-6 win over Newport in the annual game for the Firefighters Bell on Friday at Newport Stadium.
NewCath’s offense had a good night, gaining 305 yards and scoring four touchdowns, but the job the Thoroughbreds did on defense was the reason for the wide margin. They stopped two Newport drives inside the 5-yard line during the first half and returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal their 21st consecutive victory in the crosstown rivalry.
More than 3,000 fans attended the game to see if Newport (5-1) would end its long losing streak against NewCath (4-2). The Wildcats had won their first five games for the first time since 1999, but they were limited to 202 yards and one touchdown in the loss while also committing three turnovers.
“Our defense has been the reason we’ve been successful so far this year,” said NewCath coach Stephen Lickert. “We deferred (possession on the opening kickoff) because we wanted to go out and stop their high-powered offense. That’s the way our guys have been all year. It’s just unbelievable how well they’re playing together.”
Newport moved the ball to the 5-yard line on the game’s opening possession and ended up turning it over on downs. After NewCath took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Wildcats responded with a drive to the 3-yard line and weren’t able to reach the end zone on four consecutive running plays.
Newport scored its only touchdown late in the third quarter to pull within 10-6, but NewCath ran off 27 unanswered points in the fourth quarter with senior defensive back Caleb Jefferson getting one of the final four touchdowns on a 35-yard interception return.
“We work our kids hard in practice and they know this is why,” Lickert said. “When we get into the second half with teams our size we have to be able to pound them into the ground, and that’s what our guys did (Friday). I’m really proud of them.”
With NewCath in Class 1A and Newport in Class 2A this year, the game won’t have an effect on either team’s playoff hopes. Newport coach Joe Wynn made sure his players knew that before they left the field.
“I don’t care about the streak,” Wynn said. “Everything happens for a reason. Our goals are still in front of us. They’re a good (NewCath) team. They’re going to win their district and maybe win a state championship. It is what it is, but we’ll get better. We’ll get ready for Bellevue (next week) and then Lloyd in our district.”
NewCath senior quarterback Paul Kremer completed 11 of 13 passes for 102 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Jefferson and Tanner Daunt. The Thoroughbreds also rushed for 166 yards and two TDs. Senior running back Jahmir Ackerson had team-high totals of 12 carries and 72 yards.
The Thoroughbreds kept the ball on the ground for most of the second half when they picked up 106 of their 166 rushing yards. In the fourth quarter, Ackerson and Joey Runyon capped short scoring drives with runs into the end zone.
Ackerson is one of several two-way starters for NewCath. On defense, he was part of a three-man front line with blitzing linebackers that kept the pressure on Newport senior quarterback Kaleal Davis.
After getting 101 yards passing and rushing combined in the first half, Davis was limited to 46 total yards in the second half. The only pass he completed in the second half was a 31-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Simon Keating.
“He’s a warrior on offense and defense,” coach Lickert said of Ackerson, who received his team’s most valuable player award for the game. “He’s a guy who doesn’t say a lot. He just goes to work out there. He’s a warrior, man, and I’m really glad he’s on our team.”
Newport running back Giaunte Jackson received his team’s most valuable player award. He rushed for 59 yards on seven carries, including a 37-yard gain that started his team’s lone scoring drive.
NEWCATH 0 7 3 27 — 37
NEWPORT 0 0 6 0 — 6
NC — Jefferson 9 pass from Kremer (Lavin kick)
NC — Lavin 25 FG
N — Keating 31 pass from Davis (kick blocked)
NC — Daunt 7 pass from Kremer (Lavin kick)
NC — Ackerson 13 run (Lavin kick)
NC — Jefferson 35 interception return (Lavin kick)
NC — Runyon 7 run (kick failed)
RECORDS: Newport 5-1, NewCath 4-2.
High school football scoreboard
Friday’s games
Holy Cross 22, Brossart 19
Conner 39, Boone County 7
Covington Catholic 45, Cooper 6
Dayton 41, Bracken County 14
Dixie Heights 38, Madison Central 23
Boyle County 30, Highlands 0
Ludlow 54, Nicholas County 14
Newport Central Catholic 37, Newport 6
Cincinnati Elder 49, Ryle 7
Scott 54, Rowan County 28
Johnson Central 49, Simon Kenton 11
Walton-Verona 48, Gallatin County 0
Saturday’s game
Cincinnati Taft (Ohio) at Beechwood, 7 p.m.