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The Simon Kenton football team put its unbeaten record on the line on the road at brand-new Campbell County High School Stadium Friday night in Alexandria, and put a damper on the Camels’ homecoming with a 55-35 Class 6A District mauling.

The upset-minded Camels were able to move the ball, but costly mistakes conspired against them. They wound up being no match for the Pioneers, who were able to move their offense efficiently despite missing the services of starting tailback Dillon Powell, the area’s eighth-leading rusher.

Simon Kenton, ranked second in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches’ poll, improved to 7-0. The Pioneers dropped seventh-ranked Campbell County to 3-3 and handed the Camels their first district loss. It was Campbell County’s district opener. The Pioneers destroyed Ryle last week in their opener.

Simon Kenton quarterback Brenen Kuntz threw a school-record seven touchdown passes, three to Logan Winkler, and added a rushing score, accounting for all of the Pioneers’ scoring. He totaled 447 yards from scrimmage, finishing 20 of 27 passing for 367 yards and adding 80 yards on the ground.

Simon Kenton scored three first-quarter touchdowns, and led 21-0 with 1:07 left in the opening quarter. The Pioneers added a second-quarter touchdown, answering the Camels’ lone score of the half, for a 28-7 halftime lead.

Simon Kenton made it 34-7 with a nine-play, 81-yard third-quarter drive, scoring on Kuntz’s 11-yard pass to Lars McEntyre. The extra-point kick was blocked.

The Camels pulled to within 41-21 on quarterback Avery Wood’s 1-yard run, and forced a fumble on the last play of the third quarter. Their drive opening the fourth traveled to the Pioneers’ 33, but was snuffed out with 9:40 to play on a fourth-and-six incompletion into the end zone.

PLAYS OF THE GAME: The Camels generated some hope by drawing to within two scores and forcing a fourth-and-4 from the Campbell County 49 late in the second quarter. Pioneers coach Jeff Marksberry went to the trick bag, calling a jet sweep, reverse flea-flicker that resulted in a 48-yard Kuntz completion to Winkler to the Camels’ 3. Kuntz completed the seven-play, 83-yard drive with a 3-yard rushing score 3:56 before the break.

Simon Kenton went into the halftime locker room with momentum after stopping a 58-yard Camels drive that traveled to the Pioneers’ 7 with 33 seconds to go before intermission. Simon Kenton stopped a running play on fourth-and-goal, and went into the break with a three-touchdown lead.

VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE: “Brenen Kuntz is the best quarterback in Northern Kentucky,” coach Marksberry said. “He bought time. He extended plays. He was great.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kuntz completed 10 of his first 12 passes for 140 first-half yards, with three passing touchdowns and a rushing TD.

QUOTABLE: “The flea-flicker we call ‘Lex Gun’ and it worked. We run the jet and get it to the receiver, and he gives it back to me,” Kuntz said.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS: Simon Kenton defensive back Mikey Krallman ended the Camels’ first drive with an interception at the Campbell County 24. Kuntz led the Pioneers on a quick four-play drive, hitting tailback Travis Bryson with a 11-yard TD pass at the 8:58 mark.

The Camels punted on their next possession and Simon Kenton drove 49 yards on 11 plays and scored on Kuntz’s 5-yard pass to Evan Meenach for a 14-0 lead.

The Pioneers outgained the Camels, 184-181 in first-half yards. Wood was 4-for-11 passing for 41 yards and added 77 on the ground before halftime.

EXTRA POINTS: Five other Class 6A teams entered Friday with unbeaten records. They were Scott County (6-0), DuPont Manual (6-0), Central Hardin (6-0), Henry Clay (5-0) and Male (5-0).

• Kuntz ranked fourth in the area with 1,172 passing yards entering Friday and tied for third with 12 touchdowns. He was sixth in rushing with 478 yards. Powell ranked eighth with 459 rushing yards. Grant Wassom was fourth with 405 receiving yards for the Pioneers.■

Simon Kenton 21 7 13 14 — 55
Campell County 7 0 14 14 — 35
S-Bryson 11 pass from Kuntz (Smith kick)

S-Meenach 5 pass from Kuntz (Smith kick)

S-Vercheak 8 pass from Kuntz (Smith kick)

C-Wood 1 run (Knaley kick)

S-Kuntz 3 run (Smith kick)

S-McEntyre 11 pass from Kuntz (kick blocked)

C-Hess 4 pass from Wood (Knaley kick)

S-Winkler 7 pass from Kuntz (Smith kick)

C-Wood 1 run (Knaley kick)

S-Winkler 54 pass from Kuntz (Smith kick)

C-Fickenscher 51 pass from Wood (kick failed)

S-Winkler 14 pass from Kuntz (Smith kick)

C-Howard 7 run (Hess pass from Wood)

Records: S 7-0 (2-0 Class 6A district), C 3-3 (0-1)