2024 Prep Football Previews: NewCath’s strong core of returning seniors looking to make deeper run in playoffs

By Chad Hensley
NKyTribune sports reporter

With a strong core of senior leadership returning, no one will be surprised if the Newport Central Catholic football team makes it back to the region finals in the Class 1A playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

Improving on their 1-4 record in the last five finals is what the Thoroughbreds need to do this season, and they have six starters on offense and eight on defense striving to attain that goal.

One of NewCath’s several returning two-way starters is senior Kaleb Cole at running back and linebacker.

“We are a senior dominated team,” said NewCath coach Stephen Lickert. “Our seniors are phenomenal leaders and willing to do whatever it takes to win. They don’t care who gets the credit or scores touchdowns, they just want to win. We have high expectations for our team as a whole and have worked really hard in the offseason to be able to take the next step and win a title.”

That unselfishness is what led junior Emmanuel Miles to get the call as starting quarterback. Louie Collopy assumed that position last season af...