Woodford County beats Covington Catholic in 5A Region Finals
People thought Woodford County could not be a football power. Coach Dennis Johnson and his team are proving them wrong.
“When I got this job a lot of people said don’t take that job. Go somewhere else, go to college,” Johnson said after the game.
On a cold night, the Yellow Jackets (13-0), ranked No. 9 in the state, defeated then-No. 19 Covington Catholic 28-14 in front of a large, enthusiastic home crowd to become region champions.
After most fans were not allowed last season due to COVID, it was great to see a whole community out in full force. One 80-year-old man in the crowd, who traveled from Michigan, attended his first high school football game in over 30 years.
Black Friday will be Black and Gold Friday when the Jackets host No. 6 South Warren for a spot on the state finals. The Spartans knocked off South Oldham 47-13 behind 251 yards and two touchdowns from WKU QB commit Caden Veltkamp. It will probably be the biggest game for Woodford County since they lost to Russell 17-7 in the 1978 state championship game.
Four years ago Woodford County was winless. Three years ago Woodford County finished 2-9 and lost to Covington Catholic 49-0 in the playoffs. The guys that are now seniors didn’t forget.
“Every day we had it written on the whiteboard, 0 and 49,” said Woodford County senior Jackson Geilear.
Coach Johnson said that, despite earning the top RPI in 5A, Woodford County was still not getting respect from around the state.
“Nobody believed in us this week. Do you think I have a chance? We are the top dog. You got to make people believe in us. They don’t. Some people might think that we are a one-trick pony. We are in the state four now.”
First Quarter
Woodford County got the ball first and Bryce Patterson connected with Geilear for a 35-yard completion, but Woodford’s drive stalled at the Cov. Cath 40. A nice punt pinned the Colonels inside the 10. Woodford quickly forced a short Colonel punt.
The Jackets capitalized on the short field with a methodical drive capped off by a Patterson 1-yard rushing TD with 2:16 left in the first quarter.
Woodford County 7, Cov. Cath 0
Second Quarter
Patterson completed first down passes to Stephen Reed and Aden Nelson. Three plays later, Patterson scampered for 8 yards setting up a 4th and 2 on the Colonel 26-yard line. Geilear took a pitch to the left and broke through for a touchdown.
Cov Cath quickly answered on the ensuing kickoff with a Zion Mason 94-yard line TD return to cut it to 14-7.
The Colonels forced a punt but Woodford’s punter dropped the ball and Cov. Cath recovered.
Preston Agee ran several QB runs until fumbling at the WC 1. Makhi Smith recovered for Woodford. That play would come back to haunt the Colonels and turned out to be the most important play of the game.
Woodford 14, Cov. Cath 7
Third Quarter
Woodford forced a short punt to take over on the CC 39.
Preston Stacy ripped off a 38-yard run to get into Colonel territory. Patterson’s 34-yard pass to Nelson set up a 1-yard Jacob Jackson TD to extend Woodford’s lead to 21-7.
Woodford stopped Agee’s 4th and 1 QB run, with Geilear making the big play. Everyone knew what play was coming, including the Woodford County defense.
“We knew they really liked running with that quarterback, and we knew something was going to be involved with him,” Geilear said about that stop.
Woodford missed a 33-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
Woodford County 21, Covington Catholic 7
Fourth Quarter
Woodford County stopped Covington Catholic on 4th down near midfield.
Patterson’s 36-yard TD pass to Stacy put Woodford up 28-7 to ice the game with 6:11 remaining.
Covington Catholic added a touchdown to cut it to 28-14. but it was too little too late.
Woodford County 28, Covington Catholic 14.
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