Kroger's Kentucky High School Football Rundown - Week 6

With the No. 1 team in the state taking over the Kroger KSR Game of the Week and a pair of top-10 matchups on the docket, it was another exciting stretch of high school football on Friday night across the Bluegrass.

The top-ranked Boyle County Rebels were given an early scare by the Lexington Catholic Knights in Danville, but a devastating second-half scoring outburst by the home team put to bed any chance of an upset. Boyle County junior WR/DB Montavin Quisenberry was everywhere for the Rebels, finishing with four touchdowns in the 56-21 victory to keep Boyle County undefeated at 6-0.

Up in Louisville, No. 9 Trinity made a statement with a 45-10 beating of No. 3 St. Xavier while No. 10 Christian Academy-Louisville blew out No. 8 DuPont Manual before halftime, winning by a final score of 54-36. KSR’s Brady Byrdwell was in attendance for the latter game and has a full recap below. Elsewhere, KSR’s Troy Howell stayed in Lexington to watch Cathedral (IN) and three-star Colorado QB commit Danny O’Neil narrowly escape No. 5 Frederick Douglass with a 28-19 win. His recap can be found below, as well.

But before you dive into the action, let’s shout out our good friends at Kroger.

We are proud to support local schools through Kroger Community Rewards. This includes up to 3.5 million in quarterly gifts to the non-profit of your choice. Sign up using your Kroger loyalty card at Kroger.com/communityrewards.

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CAL Sends Message to Kentucky in 54-36 Route of Manual

BY: Brady Byrdwell

On a night when eyes on the bluegrass were focused on matchups such as St.X-Trinity and Lexington Catholic-Boyle County, most needed a reminder about the other top-ten matchup in Kentucky. Christian Academy-Louisville (#10) hosted DuPont Manual (#8) in a barnburner. Quarterback Cole Hodge electrified as brother Connor Hodge was there for almost every catch. The ECU commits shocked every football fan on Friday night, doing what they’ve done all season.

Best offense in the state?

From the opening whistle, it was all CAL.

It seemed as though the memories of their loss to LCA earlier this season was fresh in their mind. After a Cole Hodge to Connor Hodge touchdown, a Jeffery Vazzana rushing touchdown, and a Garyon Hobbs rushing touchdown, CAL led 20-0. Blink and you’ll miss it type of offense from Coach Cantwell’s men—a lot of screens and misdirection pitches, primarily to Connor Hodge, Vazzana, and Justin Ruffin. After a quarter and a half of football, it was hard to remember that this was supposed to be a close game.

TOUCHDOWN @centurions_fb … Hodge to Hodge continues as the ECU brothers continue to look great this season
CAL- 6
DuPont- 0 pic.twitter.com/Atnab3sfjo

— Brady Byrdwell (@BByrdwellKSR) September 22, 2023

DuPont Manual then broke their scoring drought with an Elijah Creech touchdown pass. Most would assume this would cause the game to slow down and regress to “normal.” However, CAL returned with another misdirection screen for a Vazzana touchdown, 28-7 Centurions. Then, before the clock could tick below six minutes in the 2nd, Hodge delivered another beauty.

Hodge dropped back and tossed an absolute dime into Ruffin’s hands. That’s five touchdowns in a quarter and a half, 38-7 Centurions. Micah Akin then delivered the final blow as he took a screen pass for 50+ yards and the score. Shock and awe fell across the faces of the CAL bench, “are we really doing this?” seemed to be the general consensus.

TOUCHDOWN @centurions_fb
Micah Akin hauls in a screen pass and takes it for the touchdown
CAL- 41
Manual- 7 pic.twitter.com/LLDlf3QCXB

— Brady Byrdwell (@BByrdwellKSR) September 23, 2023

Cole. Hodge. Know the name.

The second half saw Manual look like themselves as they outscored CAL 29-13. However, it was too little too late as CAL cruised to a 54-36 victory. After the game, Cole Hodge talked about the difference this team has. Keep in mind this is a team that took home the 3A state championship last year. “We’re not last year’s team. Everyone wants to discuss last year’s team, but we have new guys and just as much to prove. We’re hungry.”

ECU commit @ColeHodge_QB_PG can do it all, G.A.M.E.R pic.twitter.com/7NuF5hnL4o

— Brady Byrdwell (@BByrdwellKSR) September 22, 2023

When all of his teammates were celebrating, the star of it all was thinking about Kroger Field. Hodge’s leadership is evident in the way he patrols the sidelines. Never talking down to a teammate, but bringing fire when fire is needed. When celebrating, he’s the first guy people go to, the sign of a true leader. However, Hodge is more humble than that, as he always looks to point towards his teammates.

He discussed the outstanding play of his brother, called freshman Garyon Hobbs “special,” and raved about being here to watch him in four years. Hodge continued on about having his brother with him at ECU, and how much that means to him. But above all else, “I want to lift my teammates up, let them know we can do this.”

If Friday was any indication, then all of 3A is shaking in their boots.

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Colorado QB Commit O’Neil Leads Cathedral (IN) Past Frederick Douglass

BY: Troy Howell

The No. 5 Frederick Douglass Broncos fell to the Indianapolis Cathedral Fighting Irish 28-19 on a beautiful night in Lexington.

For Douglass (2-3) it was another game against a high-quality opponent. Cathedral (4-2) is a top 10 team in Indiana that features plenty of Division 1 talent including quarterback Danny O’Neil, who is committed to play for coach Prime at Colorado. They play big boy football in Indiana’s largest class.

O’Neil, who had a big night both passing and rushing, hit a wide-open Devaughn Slaughter on a slant for a 57-yard touchdown for the Fighting Irish on their opening drive.

57-yard TD from Colorado QB commit Danny O’Neil to Devaughn Slaughter
Indianapolis Cathedral 7
Frederick Douglass 0
1Q pic.twitter.com/ZHCjpQIYpv

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) September 22, 2023

Jeremiah Lowe’s kickoff return got the Broncos near midfield, but the drive stalled. The Michigan commit broke up an O’Neil pass on third down to force a Cathedral punt.

After another Douglass punt, the Fighting Irish drove into the red zone before a big EJ Clinkscale sack forced Cathedral to attempt a field goal, which they missed.

The Fighting Irish blocked a Bronco punt to earn a short field, which they turned into a  five-yard Jalen Bonds touchdown run two plays later.

The Douglass special teams woes continued when their long drive was thwarted by a blocked field goal.

Douglass got some life late in the first half on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jaxon Strautman to Aveion Chenualt on 4th and 11.

Jaxon Strautman to Aveion Chenualt for a 29-yard touchdown on 4th and 11 gives Douglass a spark.
Cathedral 14
Douglass 7
2Q pic.twitter.com/RUuiSK51PC

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) September 22, 2023

A key sack by Northwestern commit Terrion Hicks forced a Cathedral punt. Darion Talbert made two nice catches that led to a Bronco field goal right before halftime, cutting the Cathedral lead to 14-10.

The momentum was short-lived.

The Fighting Irish recovered their pooch kick to open the second half, leading to a 38-yard O’Neil touchdown run on the next play.

Colorado QB commit Danny O’Neil’s 38 yard rushing TD puts Cathedral up 21-10 on Douglass. Early 3Q pic.twitter.com/vTFKwImSma

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) September 23, 2023

Douglass threw a pick but Darion Neal forced a safety to pull within 21-12.

Douglass gets a safety to pull within 9.
Cathedral 21
Douglass 12
3Q pic.twitter.com/OVsQCSAgPu

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) September 23, 2023

They then got the ball to Talbert in space, where he juked his way 37 yards to the one-yard one. Logan Busson punched it in on the following play, cutting the Cathedral lead to two.

37-yard catch by Darion Talbert led to a 1-yard Logan Busson TD run on the following play. Douglass is within 2. 3Q pic.twitter.com/6bJ2hhbhfz

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) September 23, 2023

Another special teams miscue gifted the Irish a free first down instead of having to punt due to an illegal substation penalty on the Broncos.

Clinkscale forced a fumble, though, which Neal recovered for Douglass. The Broncos then had a great punt to pin Cathedral deep. After a Cathedral punt, the Irish stopped Douglass just short on 4th down.

Cathedral cashed in with Bonds scoring his second rushing touchdown. He finished with 114 yards on 24 carries. Cathedral picked off another Douglass pass to seal the victory.

Analysis 

Strautman passed for a career-high 274 yards, but special teams miscues, lack of a consistent rushing attack, and turnovers doomed Douglass.

The usually strong Douglass defense, which had given up only 20 points in their three games against Kentucky competition, played okay but couldn’t neutralize the high-powered Cathedral attack. The Broncos defense keyed a 17-14 win over No. 9 Trinity and played well in a narrow 6-0 loss to No. 2 Corbin. The defense is loaded with Division 1 talent including lineman Demeco Kennedy (Purdue) and cornerbacks Hicks (Northwestern) and Lowe (Michigan).

The Broncos, undefeated winners of the 5A state championship last season are now 2-3. They will be in the mix for a 6A state title this year, but it certainly won’t be easy. Scott County (2012) and Bullitt East (2022) have been the only non-Louisville schools to conquer the state’s largest class since the state went to six classes in 2007.  They are trying to become the first Lexington school to win the largest class state title since Henry Clay in 1981.

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Kroger’s Scores From Around The State

Kroger is a staple in your hometown community just like high school football. There’s nothing quite like Friday nights in the Bluegrass. We are honored to share this journey with Kroger and you for the fourth consecutive season. Check out all of the scores from throughout the weekend below.

Thursday, Sept. 21

No. 20 Bowling Green	57	at Ohio County	0
Christian County	22	at Caldwell County	14

Friday, Sept. 22

Russell	27	at Fleming County	12	Cheap’s Chevrolet Game
South Oldham	41	at Anderson County	7	National Guard Game
Morgan County	50	vs. Knott County Central	34	Sorghum Bowl
No. 12 Ashland Blazer	63	vs. Greenup County	7
Atherton	34	at Oldham County	24
No. 21 Ballard	42	vs. Tates Creek	6
No. 16 Beechwood	56	vs. Gallatin County	0
Belfry	42	at Magoffin County	12
Bell County	46	at McCreary Central	7
Betsy Layne	33	vs. Prestonsburg	14
No. 1 Boyle County	56	vs. Lexington Catholic	21
Bracken County	35	vs. Walton-Verona	7
No. 25 Bullitt East	48	at North Hardin	30
Butler	34	vs. Southern	7
Campbellsville	34	vs. Bethlehem	7
Carroll County	35	at Owen County	14
Casey County	28	vs. Metcalfe County	27	(double overtime)
Cathedral (Indianapolis), IN	28	at No. 5 Frederick Douglass	19
Central	26	at Central Hardin	17
No. 10 Christian Academy-Louisville	54	vs. No. 8 DuPont Manual	36
Clay County (Celina), TN	34	vs. Monroe County	20
Clinton County	26	vs. Edmonson County	6
Conner	38	at Scott	0
No. 2 Corbin	42	at Hazard	0
No. 6 Covington Catholic	61	vs. Holmes	0
Daviess County	34	at Warren Central	12
DeSales	47	vs. Western	8
Dixie Heights	53	vs. Boone County	0
East Carter	34	vs. West Carter	28
Fairdale	47	at Frankfort	8
Fort Campbell	53	at Fulton County	6
No. 15 Franklin County	50	at Shelby County	0
Franklin-Simpson	43	at Butler County	16
Gamble Montessori (Cincinnati), OH	57	at Bellevue	8
George Rogers Clark	45	at Montgomery County	14
Glasgow	36	at Adair County	16
Graves County	20	at Madisonville-North Hopkins	14
Grayson County	34	at Bullitt Central	7
Green County	33	at Barren County	0
Hancock County	51	at Trigg County	28
Harrison County	35	at Grant County	12
Harrison, OH	33	vs. Campbell County	7
Hart County	46	at Caverna	6
No. 11 Highlands	58	at Cooper	51
Jackson County	40	at Berea	19
Jeffersontown	50	vs. Doss	20
John Hardin	37	at Breckinridge County	18
Johnson Central	53	vs. Boyd County	14
Kentucky Country Day	49	at LaRue County	26
Lafayette	25	vs. Moore	12
Lawrence County	33	vs. Estill County	12
Leslie County	27	vs. Paintsville	16
Letcher County Central	25	at Breathitt County	21
Lewis County	50	at Bath County	8
No. 7 Lexington Christian	56	vs. Shawnee	0
Lloyd Memorial	45	vs. Newport	8
Logan County	34	vs. Calloway County	0
Ludlow	61	vs. Pendleton County	12
Madison Central	30	vs. Great Crossing	17
No. 4 Male	43	vs. Pleasure Ridge Park	8
Marshall County	36	at Muhlenberg County	7
No. 19 Mayfield	38	at Henderson County	24
Meade County	20	at Bardstown	17
Mercer County	42	at Madison Southern	6
Middlesboro	36	vs. Lynn Camp	0
Murray	38	at McCracken County	35
Nelson County	43	at Thomas Nelson	0
North Oldham	21	vs. Henry County	14
Owensboro	61	at Apollo	21
No. 13 Owensboro Catholic	62	at Crittenden County	12
No. 18 Paducah Tilghman	42	vs. Allen County-Scottsville	7
Perry County Central	42	at Martin County	21
Pike County Central	28	at Floyd Central	18
Pineville	32	vs. Harlan	26
Powell County	59	vs. Fairview	16
Pulaski County	41	vs. South Laurel	6
No. 23 Raceland	40	vs. Newport Central Catholic	14
Rockcastle County	63	vs. Clay County	28
Russell County	21	vs. East Jessamine	14
Sayre	47	at Nicholas County	2
No. 14 Scott County	56	vs. Collins	26
Seneca	42	at North Bullitt	21
Simon Kenton	43	at Paul Laurence Dunbar	14
Somerset	29	at Lincoln County	7
No. 22 South Warren	47	at Greenwood	13
Southwestern	28	vs. North Laurel	0
Spencer County	38	vs. Western Hills	0
Taylor County	50	at Wayne County	14
Todd County Central	41	at Russellville	26
Tolsia (Fort Gay), WV	36	vs. Phelps	0
Trimble County	24	vs. Iroquois	6
No. 9 Trinity (Louisville)	45	vs. No. 3 St. Xavier	10
Union County	42	vs. McLean County	30
Valley	40	vs. Waggener	34	(triple overtime)
WEB DuBois	18	at Fort Knox	12
Warren East	33	vs. Hopkinsville	12
Washington County	54	vs. Eminence	28
Webster County	35	vs. Hopkins County Central	28
West Jessamine	32	vs. Garrard County	17
Williamsburg	52	vs. North Greene (Greeneville), TN	7

Saturday, Sept. 23

Shelby Valley	–	at Elizabethtown	–	5:00 PM
Dayton	–	at Marion County	–	3:00 PM