[Stardust]

Class 2A, Region 3 Championship: Holy Cross (9-3) vs. Newport Central Catholic (11-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today at Newport Stadium

WHAT TO EXPECT: Newport Central Catholic has won 16 of the 17 meetings between the two teams, including a 31-14 decision on Oct. 22 and a 56-21 win this same round last season. Holy Cross has won three straight games since the Oct. 22 loss and all three have been by shutouts, including 45-0 last week over previously undefeated Owen County. All three of the Indians losses this season came against teams that are still alive in the playoffs (Conner, Beechwood and NewCath). Fuller was forced to scramble too often in the Oct. 22 meeting despite the fact NewCath rarely blitzed. NewCath has good balance in its offense, not just in running and passing, but also in its running game with two 1,000-yard rushers in Dylan Hayes and Brady Hightchew. In the first meeting this season Hightchew rushed for 175 yards and Hayes had 100.

BOTTOM LINE: Holy Cross held first-half leads of 7-0 and 14-7 in the regular-season matchup between the teams and should make this a competitive game as well, but NewCath's lines dominated both sides of the ball in the second half and they should control the game again enough for the Thoroughbreds to win.