This week features several key games involving teams with losing records. Those squads look to turn their seasons around as they enter their conference and district schedules.
Here is a look at the Best Bets for Northern Kentucky and Indiana in Week 3:
NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Ryle (3-0) at Highlands (1-2), 7 p.m. – A year ago, who would’ve thought this would be much of a game? Ryle is scoring 39.3 points per game, as quarterback Tanner Morgan has 820 passing yards with four receivers over 100 yards. Highlands is allowing 378 yards of offense per game. Brady Gosney was under center last week for the Bluebirds, but both he and Austin Hergott have completed less than half of their pass attempts. Nick Kendall has rushed for 335 yards and five scores.
Bellevue (2-1) at Newport (0-3), 7 p.m. – After consecutive wins, Bellevue lost to Brossart by three last week. The Tigers are led by Chase Cameron’s 383 rushing yards. Tyree Bolden is Newport’s rushing leader with 174 rushing yards. The Wildcats have dropped four straight games and have scored just 12 points this season.
Campbell County (0-3) at Cooper (2-1), 7 p.m. – Campbell County has scored 21 points or fewer each game this season while allowing at least 24 in all three. Camels QB Carson Plessinger has thrown for 535 yards, and Nic Mayer has been his primary target with 205 receiving yards. Torrey Cordell is pacing the Jaguars with 194 ground yards. Cooper outscored its Northern Kentucky foes, 72-13 the first two weeks before losing, 36-0 to Bryan Station last week.
Conner (1-1) at Scott (3-0), 7 p.m. – Conner has played in two blowouts – it won by 37 over Boone County to open its season and lost to Simon Kenton by 54 last week. Scott has allowed just 20 points in its three wins and is led by Roberto London’s 267 rushing yards and five TDs.
RELATED: Game of the Week Preview: Dixie Heights at Simon Kenton
INDIANA
Connersville (0-3) at South Dearborn (1-2), 7 p.m. – Both teams have struggled early on but both still have a chance at a respectable season. Connersville has been outscored, 125-54. Despite being outscored, 111-27, South Dearborn has a win this season. Connersville won last year's meeting, 40-7, but expect a close contest this week.
East Central (2-1) at Franklin County (3-0), 7 p.m. – East Central is a game over .500 despite being outscored by 19 points this year. Franklin County has outscored its opponents by an average of 21 points. This is a Division IV opener for both teams. East Central has won 27 of the last 35 meetings between these teams.
Rushville (0-3) at Batesville (3-0), 7 p.m. – Rushville is not as bad as its record indicates, having surrendered 14.7 more points per game than its opponents. Unbeaten Batesville has outscored its foes by a 22-point average. Despite the teams’ opposite records, this game will likely be pretty close. Batesville beat Rushville by three touchdowns last year.
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