By Richard Ooi

Game 2 of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown, at Dixie Heights High School, featured 2 teams separated by roughly 4 miles.


The Colonels of Dixie Heights hosted Covington Catholic Colonels for bragging rights over Dixie Highway for the next year. 


The game got off to a late start, kicking off right after 9 pm.


This game was back and forth, eventually being won by Covington Catholic, 21-13.  


Dixie started off with receiving the ball in the first half and on the first drive, made it right past the 50-yard line and promptly fumbled the ball. That turnover would prove to be costly, as CCH would score a touchdown off a middle screen at the 30-yard line. 


CCH would eventually make it down the field again before the half to throw a 1-yard touchdown making it 14-0 going into the half.


CCH’s first drive out of the half stalled with a 3 and out resulting in a punt.


Dixie’s special teams came up big, as Brandon Bohn came up with a punt block at the 5-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. The touchdown swung the momentum in favor for Dixie as Drew Moore connected with Chris Risch for a 78-yard touchdown pass right at the end of the third quarter. 


Midway through the fourth quarter, CCH had very good field position as Dixie’s punter, miskicked the ball, resulting in a 7-yard punt.


That gave CCH field position at the 30-yard line. They eventually scored off a one yard run, making the score 21-13.


With five minutes left in regulation and one timeout left, Dixie had the ball at the 20-yard line. Having to go 80 yards for a touchdown, they orchestrated a drive that eventually made it down to the 5-yard line. The drive was helped with a couple of defensive penalties.


The ending was fit for a movie.


It was first and goal with less that 30 seconds left. Dixie quarterback, Drew Moore, overthrew his receivers on the first 3 downs. On 4thand goal with less than 3 seconds left, Moore had his slant pass picked off by CCH’s Matthew Way, ending the game and resulting in a season opening loss for Dixie’s Colonels.


An ending that could have been a miracle, turned out to be a nightmare for Dixie Heights.


Dixie had 2 opportunities to score in the red zone but failed to even get field goals because of costly interceptions.


CCH had to turn to their running game after their starting quarterback, Adam Wagner, was sidelined after the half for a knee injury. CCH however kept Dixie in the game because costly turnovers.