'Now we’re blossoming.' Simon Kenton defense comes up big in 42-40 win over Highlands

FORT THOMAS – The Simon Kenton and Highlands rivalry has been one of the most entertaining in Northern Kentucky football since they started playing each other again in 2015 after a 17-year gap between games.

The two teams with similar color schemes and helmet designs have had several thrillers in the past seven seasons.

When they renewed pleasantries Friday night at Highlands’ Cecil Memorial Stadium, they took turns lighting the scoreboard early and often in an offensive showcase. But it was several clutch plays by the Pioneers' defense that lifted them to a 42-40 win over the Bluebirds.

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Simon Kenton, 2-9 last season, improved to 2-0, while the Bluebirds dropped to 0-2.

“It’s awesome,” Simon Kenton senior linebacker Josh Bowling said. “I feel like we’re maturing as a team. Last year we were immature and now we’re blossoming. This is the most hard-working group I’ve been a part of.”

Simon Kenton is 2-0 under veteran coach Roy Lucas Jr., who took over as head coach following the retirement of Jeff Marksberry. Lucas has been on the staff for more than a decade.

“We were really young last year,” Lucas said. “The kids have just worked so hard. It wasn’t pretty (tonight). We did a lot of things that we gotta correct, for sure, but the kids fought. They believe in each other. They have a lot of heart.”

Simon Kenton’s biggest defensive play came with 6:45 to go in the game. Trailing 35-27, the Bluebirds scored quickly after senior Charlie Noon returned a punt 45 yards to the SK 8-yard line.

Brody Benke scored from two yards out, and the Bluebirds needed a two-pointer to tie the game.

Highlands tried a reverse, with Noon taking a pitch, rolling out to his right and throwing into the endzone, but the Pioneers defended the pass.

Simon Kenton then took the next four minutes off the clock on a 73-yard drive, all on the ground. Junior Kaleb Bleier scored from 12 yards out, his second touchdown of the game. Andrew Petty’s PAT made it a two-score game at 42-33. Petty was perfect on six PATs.

Highlands scored with 57 seconds left, then tried an onside kick. A Bluebird touched the ball before it went 10 yards, and SK ran the clock out.

Last year, Highlands went into Independence and won 53-38 in a game with more than 1,100 yards. It was a common occurrence last year as the Pioneers allowed more than 42 points per game.

Highlands had nearly 400 yards of offense in this game, but the Pioneers' defense came up big twice near their goal line, limiting Highlands to three points on those two drives. The Pioneers also got a key interception to set up a touchdown in the second half.

Simon Kenton led 21-20 at halftime and started the second half with a 65-yard touchdown drive. Bleier, who helped fill in for senior staring running back Jayden Lawson, who missed the game with an injury, rushed in from eight yards out. He had over 82 yards rushing. Petty’s PAT made it 28-20.

On Highlands’ next drive, SK’s Nathan Kitchens intercepted a pass and returned it 23 yards to the Highlands 17. Crone scored from eight yards out on fourth-and-one, and it was 35-20 midway through the third quarter.

Highlands drove down to the 1-yard line after a series of chunk plays. A 20-yard pass from Benke to Matteo Matteoli, a 19-yard run by Cam Giesler and a 15-yard run by Noon.

That’s when Bowling, Simon Kenton's top returner on defense and one of Northern Kentucky’s top tacklers last year, made his mark. On first down, he broke through and stopped Giesler for a four-yard loss to the 5. On third down, he intercepted Benke in the endzone.

“They’re a great team,” Bowling said. “They have a lot of weapons. They can run it, throw it down the field. We spent a lot of time on goal line. We knew when they get down there, we knew we had to step up. Our front four played so well. You could see their hard work in the weight room pay off. They kept getting a great push and making it easy for us linebackers.”

Highlands began a comeback after recovering a Pioneer fumble at its 37-yard line with 9:30 to play. Noon rushed for 59 yards to the 4-yard line, setting up a Benke touchdown. Noon had over 200 all-purpose yards in the game.

Highlands was coming off a 49-14 loss to defending 5A state champ South Warren.

“We knew they were a better team than what they showed last week,” Lucas said. “South Warren is really good. A lot of things went against Highlands. I give them a lot of credit because I knew they were better than that.”

Tonight, senior quarterback Chase Crone rushed for over 160 yards and two touchdowns and threw for two to senior Chase Williams.

Williams had five catches for 43 yards and four rushes for 63 yards, including a key 52-yard gain.

Bleier rushed for 82 as the Pioneers rushed for over 300 yards behind an offensive line where the lightest player is 260 pounds.

“Our offensive line is big enough and we were physically enough where we could run the ball down their throats,” Crone said. “They’re a good defense. It’s hard to pass on them. They’re very athletic and they know what they’re doing.”

Simon posted an unforgettable 77-53 win in Fort Thomas in 2016, then won 35-30 the next year.

On this night, it took a quarter for the fireworks to truly get going.

Highlands started fast after taking the opening kickoff. Brody Benke connected with Noon four times for 57 yards on the opening drive, with three of the catches for double-digit gains. SK stalled the drive at its own 23, and Davis Burleigh scored a 40-yard field goal.

SK had an effective drive on its first possession. After a Pioneers fumble caused an eight-yard loss, the Pioneers faced fourth-and-17 from the Highlands 24. Noon, playing defensive back, deflected a long pass by Crone into the endzone to stop the threat.

SK found the endzone on its next drive. Crone gained 39 yards to the Highlands 2, then rushed it into the endzone on the next play, with Petty’s PAT giving SK a 7-3 lead with two minutes left in the quarter.

Highlands drove into SK territory on its next drive. Facing second and short, SK stuffed the Bluebirds on two straight plays, a three-yard tackle for loss by Josh Brophy and a sack by Bowling.

The next play started the second quarter. Senior Sam Robinson, lined up behind the line in punt formation, took a direct snap and ran 44 yards for a touchdown. Burleigh’s PAT gave Highlands a 10-7

Highlands tried to extend its momentum by having Burleigh try a surprise onside kick. Aidan Harris picked up the ball on the bounce at the Highlands 45 and returned the ball to the Bluebirds 25.

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Two plays later, Crone found senior Chase Williams for a 24-yard touchdown pass, and SK led 14-10 in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Two drives later, Highlands drove to the Simon Kenton red zone and had second-and-goal from the 3. The Pioneers stuffed the Bluebirds on two straight plays, with Bleier making a big tackle for loss on third down. Highlands settled for a Burleigh field goal and trailed by one at 14-13.

“We really believe in our kids up front that they can get it done,” Lucas said. “Bleier has a gigantic heart.”

Highlands got another red-zone opportunity right away after forcing a three-and-out and a punt. The snap was high and Petty had to fall on the ball at his own 2-yard line. Dawson Hosea found the endzone on the next play, and Highlands led 20-14.

SK reclaimed the lead in the final minute of the half. On fourth-and-2 from Highlands 4, Crone rolled out and found Williams for their second TD connection of the night.

Simon Kenton vs. Highlands

Simon Kenton    7            14          14          7-42

Highlands           3            17          0            20-40

H – Burleigh 40 FG

S – Crone 2 run (Petty kick)

H – Robinson 44 run (Burleigh kick)

S – Williams 17 pass from Crone (Petty kick)

H – Burleigh 25 FG

H – Hosea 2 run (Burleigh kick)

S – Williams 4 pass from Crone (Petty kick)

S – Bleier 8 run (Petty kick)

S – Crone 8 run (Petty kick)

H – Benke 4 run (Burleigh kick)

H – Benke 2 run (pass failed)

S – Bleier 12 run (Petty kick)

H – Highlands TD (Burleigh kick)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Simon Kenton comes up big on defense in 42-40 win over Highlands