[nky]

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/201...semifinals

Bruce Kozerski insisted revenge wouldn’t be a factor.
Whether it was or wasn’t, Holy Cross is headed to state.
Facing off for the second time in less than a month, Holy Cross defeated Newport Central Catholic 24-21 in the Kentucky 2A football regional final at Newport Stadium Friday night to advance to the state semifinals. With the win, Holy Cross avenged its 31-14 loss to the Thoroughbreds on Oct. 28 during the regular season.
“I don’t think it’s a factor at all,” Holy Cross coach Bruce Kozerski said of the revenge factor. “Other than the fact that we should have played better, nothing from that first game matters.”

Holy Cross dominated much of the first half Friday night – the Indians held an 11-2 advantage in first downs, a 36-16 advantage in plays and a 162-0 advantage in passing yards – but led just 13-7 at the break.

Senior quarterback Kyle Fuller accounted for all three Indians touchdowns, including a 60-yard screen pass to Jalen Beal and a 7-yard scamper, both in the first quarter.

“You learn something new every game,” Kozerski said. “In the NewCath game (during the regular season), Kyle was a little tentative in some spots and probably needed to take the ball and do something with it. He had a very good game that day, but he learned in big games like that he just needs to react – and since then, he has. He’s thrown the ball when he needed to, he took it and ran when he needed to, and he’s made better decisions every ball game.”

But it was Fuller’s foot that proved the difference. He drilled a 32-yard field goal with ten seconds left to give his team the win.

The Indians entered the regional final having posted three straight shutouts – outscoring the opposition 154-0 in the process – and had allowed minus-8 rushing yards through two playoff games.

“We’ve gotten a lot better defensively; there’s no doubt about it,” Kozerksi said. “We’ve gotten a lot more physical, a lot more aggressive. We play the run all the way to the quarterback. Our athletes play best when we’re doing that.”

NewCath entered the game having outscored its two playoff opponents, Gallatin County and Lloyd Memorial, by a combined 105-0. The Thoroughbreds, however, allowed too many big plays in the regional final.

“If you don’t play every play,” NewCath head coach Eddie Eviston said, “it can bite you.”

The Indians won despite several miscues on special teams – they missed two field goals and saw a PAT blocked – but their defense, as it has been for the past month, was the difference. NewCath had just 75 yards at halftime and didn’t complete a pass until 2:28 remained in the third quarter. Quarterback Brady Hightchew had several big gains on quarterback keepers in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.

Fuller, meanwhile, hooked up with Beal and senior Eric Walker early and often. That wideout duo combined for more than 150 yards.

Holy Cross (10-3) advances to the state semifinals to host Somerset/Lexington Christian on Nov. 25. If victorious, Holy Cross advances to the state final Dec. 2.