By: Jason Frakes (Courier-Journal)
A six-time state champion, the Covington Catholic High School football program hasn't reached a state final since 2006.
Colonels coach Dave Wirth is hopeful his program can end that drought this season.
The Courier-Journal's Litkenhous Ratings seem to like the Colonels' chances, as they're No. 1 in the state in the first ratings of the season that were released Monday.
The Litratings are a computerized ranking of every team in the state based on strength of schedule, margin of victory and other factors. The ratings do not include games against out-of-state opponents.
Covington Catholic is 2-1 after Friday's 39-0 loss at Cincinnati Moeller. The Colonels opened their season with runaway victories over Boone County (39-6) and Dixie Heights (41-7).
"Ultimately, the only time it matters is the last week of the season," Wirth said of the No. 1 ranking. "Certainly it isn't a bad thing, but it's not something we're going to put much thought into. We want to end up No. 1 in our district and No. 1 in our region and have a chance to play for a state title, which is something that's been missing the last few years."
CovCath, which has lost to Highlands in the quarterfinals of the Class 4-A playoffs each of the past three seasons, is led by a pair of senior twins in Adam and Alex Wagner.
Adam, who missed much of last season with a knee injury, has completed 46 of 73 passes for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. Alex has a team-best 22 tackles.
"There's obviously an athletic gene in that family," Wirth said.
Following Covington Catholic in the top five of the Litratings are Bowling Green (3-0), Manual (2-0), St. Xavier (2-1) and DeSales (3-0).
Bowling Green beat St. Xavier 6-0 on Friday to extend its winning streak to 47, tied with Boyle County for the second-longest in state history. Trinity set the record of 50 from 1988-91. Bowling Green will play at Owensboro (3-0) on Friday.
The top teams in each class are Manual (6-A), Bowling Green (5-A), Covington Catholic (4-A), Belfry (3-A), DeSales (2-A) and Mayfield (A).
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and followed on Twitter @kyhighs.