Looking Back
N. Ky. high school football teams in state championship games
48 YEARS AGO - 1966
Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association
DAYTON 6, RUSSELLVILLE 2
Dayton scored the only touchdown in the Class A championship game on a blocked punt by senior Ernie Brooks in the fourth quarter. The ball sailed up in the air after the block and John Fowee of Dayton caught it at the 10-yard line. Fowee then raced into the end zone for what proved to be the winning touchdown for the Greendevils. Russellville came right back with a drive deep into Dayton territory, but the team ended up turning the ball over on downs. Dayton’s head coach was Ray King, a long-time assistant who took over the program that season.
39 YEARS AGO - 1975
31 YEARS AGO - 1983
25 YEARS AGO - 1989
HIGHLANDS 7, PADUCAH TILGHMAN 3
Highlands tight end Shane Dougherty caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Gallichio with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter of the Class 3A state championship game. A few minutes later, Dougherty sealed the win when he recovered a Tilghman fumble while playing defense for the Bluebirds. The two teams committed a combined total of 11 turnovers during the game with Highlands losing the ball on five fumbles and one interception. But the Bluebirds came through at the end to win the title for head coach Tom Duffy.
LUDLOW 7, HEATH 6
Ludlow won the Class A state championship game behind a strong rushing performance by senior Jim Lokesak. He picked up 119 yards on 38 carries, scored his team’s only touchdown in the second quarter and then kicked the extra point. Heath got a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but a clipping penalty negated a 2-point conversion run and a long extra point kick fell short. Ludlow’s defense also made big plays. The Panthers recovered two fumbles, stopped Heath at the 1-yard line on the final play of the first half and intercepted a pass in the game’s final seconds to clinch the victory. Ludlow finished with a perfect 10-0 record under coach Randy Reese.
CONNER 12, FRANKLIN-SIMPSON 7
Senior quarterback Artie Crawford scored both of Conner’s touchdowns in the Class 3A championship game to lead the Cougars to their first state title. In the second quarter, Crawford caught a pass from running back Melvin Miles and went 59 yards for a touchdown on the trick play. Franklin-Simpson had a 7-6 lead at halftime, but Conner put together a 60-yard scoring drive in the third quarter that ended with Crawford’s 2-yard run into the end zone. Conner’s defense protected the slim lead and Bob Lewis became the first coach to win state championships in both Kentucky and Ohio.
20 YEARS AGO - 1994
COVINGTON CATHOLIC 24, BOWLING GREEN 21
After falling behind, 21-9, in the third quarter, Covington Catholic scored 15 straight points to come away with the win in the Class 3A state championship game. The Colonels' comeback started with a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kevin Cogswell in the third quarter. On the game-winning drive, CovCath tailback Galen Healey carried the ball on eight of the last nine plays, including a 2-yard run into the end zone. Bowling Green moved the ball to the 3-yard line on its last possession, but time expired before it could set up a field goal attempt. CovCath coach Lynn Ray added the championship trophy to the ones his teams won in three previous trips to the state final.
BEECHWOOD 38, LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN 35
Beechwood senior Ryan Amelung scored on a 99-yard kickoff return and a 62-yard punt return during his team’s victory in the Class A championship game. Amelung’s punt return capped a 17-point run that put the Tigers ahead 38-28 in the fourth quarter. Lexington Christian finished with a 330-219 advantage in offensive yardage so the two returns by Amelung played a key role in Beechwood’s victory. The Tigers claimed their 10th championship trophy overall and their first under coach Noel Rash.