GAME PREVIEW: Bishop Brossart Mustangs at Nicholas County Bluejackets

• When: Friday, September 18, 2026 | Kickoff at 7:30 PM
• Where: Carlisle, KY
• Records: Bishop Brossart (2-2) at Nicholas County (4-0)
• All-Time Series: Brossart leads 8–7 (Nicholas County won 30-7 in 2025 at the MAC)

The Stage

Our Mustangs take to the road this Friday night heading south to Carlisle, carrying serious momentum following a commanding 27-7 home victory over Bracken County. That win evened the Mustangs’ record at 2-2 behind record-setting aerial fireworks and a suffocating defensive showing.

Waiting for the Mustangs is a red-hot, unbeaten Nicholas County squad (4-0) that has looked dominant through the opening month of the season, stringing together victories over Pendleton County (38-8), Bellevue (40-12), Lewis County (20-6), and an impressive 28-14 road triumph over previously unbeaten Louisville Iroquois. While Brossart holds a narrow 8-7 advantage in the all-time series—having taken five of six prior to last fall—the Bluejackets walked away from Alexandria with a 30-7 decision last season, giving the Mustangs plenty of motivation as they arrive in Carlisle.

What to Watch For

• Contrasting Styles: Brossart’s Air Show vs. Nicholas County’s Ground Grind: The Mustangs enter Friday boasting an explosive passing attack. Senior quarterback Landon Spaulding—who now holds the top three spots on Brossart’s single-game passing chart—lit up the Bears for 300 yards through the air and a rushing score last week. Wideout Brady Boruske set a new school single-game receiving record with 234 yards and two long touchdowns (70 and 80 yards), while Tripp Wilson (4 catches, 53 yards) continues to round into mid-season form. Nicholas County, by contrast, hangs its hat on the line of scrimmage, leaning on their offensive front—dubbed the “Big Blue Wall”—to control the tempo and impose their will between the tackles.
  
  
• Containing Jayden Watkins: The engine of the Bluejackets is workhorse running back and middle linebacker Jayden Watkins (#5). Watkins is an absolute load, having already logged monster volume: 93 carries for 667 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first three weeks alone, highlighted by a 335-yard, 4-touchdown night against Bellevue. Slowing Watkins on first down and forcing Nicholas County into third-and-long passing situations will be Priority No. 1 for the Mustang front seven.
  
  
• Secondary Ball-Hawks: Both teams feature game-changers on the back end. Boruske intercepted two passes last Friday to ice the game for Brossart. Meanwhile, Nicholas County defensive back Bentley Crump (#1) snagged four interceptions in Week 1, and young quarterback/safety Ty Simons (#2) has logged picks in consecutive games. Protecting the football and capitalizing on transition opportunities off turnovers will likely dictate the outcome.
  
  
• Setting the Early Tone: Last week, Brossart struck on their very first offensive snap with a 70-yard touchdown bomb from Spaulding to Boruske. Taking the Carlisle home crowd out of the game early with quick execution and disciplined gap control against the run will be essential to heading back up the AA Highway with a winning record.

You can catch Friday’s play-by-play with Adam Noe & Derrick McBride    Air Time is 7:10pm.

Preview Submitted by Patrick Blair