Takeaways: Indiana, Northern Kentucky opening week of high school football

High school football began this week in Northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. Here's a glimpse at the first Friday: 

COVCATH IS BACK: Covington Catholic began a new winning streak with a 37-0 shutout of Ryle, dominating the Raiders for the third straight year and winning their first in a row after losing the 5A state final last year.

CovCath, with a lot of new faces making plays alongside returning quarterback Caleb Jacob and Notre Dame commit Michael Mayer, outgained Ryle 309-79. The Colonels defense picked off five passes and sacked Ryle four times while rarely allowing the Raiders into their territory.

BOONE COUNTY WINS FOR WARNER: Boone County, playing its first game under former Rebels standout Bryson Warner as head coach, defeated Holmes 20-6. It was the third year in a row the Rebels have defeated the Bulldogs, and just the seventh win for the Rebels in the past seven seasons. A strong defensive effort by the Rebels limited Holmes to one 70-yard touchdown run.

COOPER WINS SLUGFEST: A contest between two potentially strong offenses resulted in a 7-0 final Friday night at Dixie Heights, as the Cooper Jaguars outlasted the host Colonels. The lone score came in the second quarter on a 69-yard touchdown pass from Drew Warth to Xavier Smith. Cooper posted its first shutout since 2015.

Both teams had under 200 yards offense. Cooper had three interceptions of Dixie’s Jeremy Adams, one of the top returning quarterbacks in Northern Kentucky. Senior Zach Armour had two of the picks and Anthony Witschey one. Dixie picked off Warth twice.

NCC BEATS CAMELS: Newport Central Catholic avenged recent losses to Campbell County with a 29-13 win in Alexandria. Paul Kremer, one of the top returning QBs in Northern Kentucky, had three touchdown passes and a TD run. Cody Mueller clinched the win with a diving interception at the goal line in the final two minutes.

LLOYD MAKES 2A STATEMENT: Lloyd Memorial and Walton-Verona resumed their Class 2A rivalry, and the Juggernauts left Verona with an emphatic 30-6 win in a battle of two teams that want to make noise in 2A this year. W-V was ranked sixth in the Courier-Journal coaches poll. Kyle Niederman won his debut as Lloyd head coach.

HOLY CROSS GETS KEY WIN: Holy Cross, trying to get back on the winning track as a program, routed Bellevue 30-12. Brandon McClendon had six catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns for the Indians. Aaron Atkins rushed for 116 yards for the Tigers.

HIGHLANDS ROLLS: Highlands rolled to a 42-13 win at Scott, improving the Bluebirds’ all-time record against the Eagles to a perfect 31-0. The teams had not played since 2010.

EAST CENTRAL WINS FOR NEW COACH: East Central, coming off an 11-2 season last year, gave Jake Meiners his first win as a head coach with a 30-12 win over rival Lawrenceburg

MORE: Kentucky preseason coaches polls, playoff structure