Kroger KSR Game of the Week Preview: Lexington Catholic at Boyle County
Fresh off of last week’s instant classic between Corbin and Frederick Douglass in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week, the train keeps on rolling to Title Town, where the state’s top-ranked Boyle County Rebels will host the Lexington Catholic Knights on Friday night.
Boyle County (5-0) has undoubtedly been the most dominant team in the state of Kentucky this season, as they’ve won their first five games by an average score of 48-14. They will be entering Friday night’s spectacle fresh off their 48-3 victory over Hayes Johnson and Taylor County, in which senior Avery Bodner rushed for three touchdowns. Lexington Catholic (2-3) fell just short of a massive victory over No. 7 Lexington Christian Academy last week in the annual “Holy War.” Senior quarterback Jackson Wasik was magnificent, however, as he threw for 420 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions.
The Rebels have owned this series as of late. Justin Haddix’s squad has won 11 of their last 12 meetings, five of which have come in the postseason. Lexington Catholic’s lone victory over that span came last October when Wasik’s 278 yards passing and three touchdowns led the Knights to a thrilling 28-27 victory over the Rebs.
Boyle County has been a machine this season, fueled by some of the most talented players in the state of Kentucky. Juniors WR/DB Montavin Quisenberry and WR/DB Demauriah Brown have formed one of the deadliest duos in the state following Brown’s transfer from Danville in the offseason. Just five games in, the duo has combined for 686 receiving yards, 224 rushing yards, six receiving touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns, 43 tackles, four TFLs, five interceptions, and a fumble recovery touchdown. Brown missed their season opener, too.
Quisenberry and Brown aren’t the only superstars in Danville, as senior RB/DB Avery Bodner has rushed for 520 yards and 11 touchdowns while hauling in two receiving scores and 191 yards through the air. Along with his offensive contributions, Bodner also leads the team in tackles (36). Bodner has scored an average of 2.6 touchdowns per game through their first five contests. Senior quarterback Sage Dawson has been extremely consistent, passing for 1,026 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing just one interception. It will take a grand effort to knock this train off the tracks.
The Rebels have won 10 consecutive games dating back to their last loss (Oct. 28, 2022 vs. Frederick Douglass).
Just five games into the season, Lexington Catholic has lost as many games (three) as they did all of last season. The beginning of their 2023 campaign was a gauntlet though, as Catholic had to play No. 11 Highlands, No. 2 Corbin, and No. 7 LCA all in the first five weeks. The Knights went 0-3, and will look to avoid going 0-4 against ranked teams this weekend. Their schedule doesn’t lighten up after this weekend, as they still have undefeated Lloyd Memorial and No. 14 Scott County remaining on the docket.
Catholic senior quarterback Jackson Wasik has been superb. He’s thrown for 1,099 yards, 12 touchdowns (five of which came against LCA), and just one interception through their first five games. Henry Clay transfer receiver Jackson Kreutzer has been a welcome addition, hauling in 272 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore running back Joaquin Pereira has been solid, as he’s rushed for 268 yards and five scores.
Jackson’s younger brother, Brady Wasik, has been Catholic’s best defensive player to this point. The sophomore LB has totaled 36 tackles (six for loss) and one sack. Seniors DL Bennett Williams (38 tackles, four for loss) and DB Sam Clements (28 tackles, three interceptions) have been game-changers as well. Head coach Nick Baisch’s squad will have to play to their full potential (such as they did against LCA) if they have any shot of walking out of Danville with a statement victory.
No. 1 Boyle County and Lexington Catholic will kick off Friday night at 7:30 p.m. EST.
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