Inside NKY football is a weekly segment that will cover all areas related to Northern Kentucky football.We will cover teams from class 1A all the way to 6A and how they did on Friday night, while also highlighting the star players from each game. That is one of the best parts about this area and the football that we see Northern Kentucky has produced state champions in 1A (Beechwood), 2A (Newport Central Catholic and Holy Cross), and 4A (Highlands and Covington Catholic,) while also producing state championship runner ups in 5A (Cooper) and 6A (Simon Kenton and Ryle). Needless to say, football is played at a high level in the Northern part of the state.

 

Let’s take a look at each Northern Kentucky district and how the teams are expected to finish.

 

Class 1A:

 

1. Beechwood- The Tigers are coming off a state semifinal appearance and once again will be the favorite to not only win the district in NKY,but also the state championship. They will be led by a talented sophomore quarterback in Kyle Fieger as well as 8 other offensive starters. Defensively 6 starters return from last season’s 9-5 team. Expectations will once again be high in Ft. Mitchell.

 

2. Bellevue- The Black and Gold Tigers are coming off a 7-5 season and should once again be expected to finish runner up to the red and white Tigers.

 

3. Ludlow- The Panthers return 12 seniors from last season’s 1-10 team, led by Mitchell Cody.

 

4. Dayton- The Devils will be a very young team this year which is why they round out the bottom of class 1A in Northern Kentucky.

 

 

Class 2A:

 

1. Newport Central Catholic- The Breds are coming off a state championship and are primed and ready for a repeat not only in Northern Kentucky but also in Bowling Green. Breds will beled by talented seniors Mac Franzen, Jack Sutkamp, Tommy Donnelly, and Wyatt Boberg, among others as well as sophomore running back Jacob Smith.

 

2. Lloyd Memorial- The Juggs advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffslast season and return 17 seniors from last year’s 8-4 team.

 

3. Holy Cross- The Indians are coming off a disappointing 4-8 season but will be led by one of the better play makers in the area in senior athlete Jaylen Beal.

 

4. Newport- The Wilcats will enter the season with a new head coach after a 3-8 season but will have to do so without their two best playmakers from a season ago in Jaysean and Jaquan Short who graduated and transferred. Running back Dom Joseph will be the face of the Newport program.

 

5. Bishop Brossart- The Mustangs return 10 seniors from last year's 1-9 team and also have a new coach in Lee Teegarden. Offensively, they will have to improve as they scored just 23 points over the final 6 games.

 

Class 4A:

 

1. Highlands- The Bluebirds have won 6 straight state championships and will onceagain betheteam that not only 4A district foes will be looking up at, but also the rest of Northern Kentucky and arguably the state. In short, the Birds are LOADED this year with a deep and talented senior class led by Drew Houliston, Seth Hope, Ryan Greene, Jensen Feggins, Jaylen Hayes, Zach Harris, Jackson Bardo, Joey Kruse, and Thomas Wrobleski….among others.

 

2. Covington Catholic- The Colonels come in off a 9-4 season in which they reached the region finals, but will once again have an uphill battle with Highlands in their district.The Colonels biggest question will be at the QB position as they break in the talented athlete, Adam Wagner. They do return a lot of skill guys with experience in talent however with Sam Burchell (currently injured), Sam Dressman, Luke Bir, Matt Schmall, Evan Braun, Sam Hatter, and Alex Way.

 

3. Holmes- The Bulldogs finished 6-5 a year ago but will once again have the unfortunate task of competing against two of the best teams in the state in 4A in Highlands and Covcath for a home playoff game. Holmes will be led by arguably the best playmaker in the area in Jon Scruggs, as well as Fred Wardlaw, Fred Vickers, and Brendan Johnson.

 

 

Class 5A:

 

1. Conner- The Cougars should be the favorite to win the district this season as they will also be a favorite to get to the state championship led by UK commit and quarterback Drew Barker. With him leading a talented set of playmakers in Andrew Way,Brian Loney, Jesse McKeehan,and Chris Creech expect this team to improve on the 9-3 season they had a year ago.

 

2. Scott- The Eagles have a lot to prove this year with the group that they return. This spot could probably go to either Scott or Cooper, but I went with the Eagles as they return a very big offensive line led by 6’5 Kam Crim, as well as QB Ben Osborne and running back Josh Castleman.

 

3. Cooper- The Jags are coming off a 13-2 5A state runner up finisha year ago. While they could be considered the second best team in the district, they fall here as there are still question marks outside of the returning skill guys.

 

 

Class 6A:

 

1. Simon Kenton- The Pioneers have been to 4 out of the previous 5 region championships and return a lot of starters from last year’s team, led by quarterback Brennan Kuntz on offense and Mike Krallman on defense. This team will be very balanced on both sides of the ball.

 

2. Dixie Heights- The Colonels only won 3 games last year but were very young and inexperienced. This should be the year where they turn things around, led by quarterback Drew Moore. The Colonels showed the type of potential they have last year with wins over Conner and Simon Kenton.

 

3. Campbell County- The Camels return as back to back district champions and I will probably regret putting them here as they return a very good defensive group, as well as one of the best receivers in Northern Kentucky in Jacob Zabonick. With the quarterback position stillbeing in theair, the Camels come in at #3.

 

4. Boone County- The Rebels come in at #4 led by new head coach Jeff Griffith. This is a team that lost 30 seniors but come in with a lot of returning experience with the younger classes who saw significant playing time. Quarterback will be the biggest question as Jamar Lamb is sidelined right now with an injury.

 

5. Ryle- There really isn’t much difference between 4 and 5 but I put the Raiders here because of the youth that they will have this year along with the questions they have at some of the skill positions.

 

 

Ten Things to Watch This Season:

 

1. Beechwood and Newcath are probably the biggest favorites to win their district, followed up by Highlands.

 

2. Highlands will enter the season as not only the best team in Northern Kentucky, but arguably the state. As Dale would say “we are so deep and talented at every position on the field.”

 

3. The order of the teams for each ranking doesn’t include how they will do against other teams in their district that aren’t covered in the weekly “Inside Northern Kentucky Football” segments. (Class 4A and Class 5A)

 

4. This is a very deep group of athletes and playmakersin Northern Kentucky. Expect a lot of long touchdowns this season.

 

5. Battle of the quarterbacks- We will see several good quarterback match ups this year with Drew Barker and Conner playing Simon Kenton and Brennan Kuntz, as well as Dixie and Drew Moore going against Simon Kenton in district play. Drew Houliston should also have a huge year leading Highlands in his first year along with Kyle Fieger in his first full season at Beechwood.

 

6. Speaking of quarterbacks, expect Mac Franzen of Newport Catholic to have a huge year in his first year under center. Probably the most underrated at that position in Northern Kentucky.

 

7. Wide receiver will be a strength of a lot of teams this year. A few names that are back: Jake Zabonick (Campbell Co), Grant Wassom (Simon Kenton), Aaron Morgan (Cooper), Jensen Feggins/Ryan Greene (Highlands), Evan Braun (Covcath), and Brian Loney/Andrew Way (Conner).

 

8. 6A will be the most competitive district in Northern Kentucky. Not much difference between 1-3 and then 4-5.

 

9. Speaking of competition, if compiling a top 10 list there are atleast 7 teams that could make an argument for the other 4 spots in the top 5 behind Highlands in Conner, Simon Kenton, Covington Catholic, Newcath and Beechwood, as well as Dixie and Campbell County as dark horses.

 

10. Not sure how much of a bold prediction this is, but Northern Kentucky will put atleast 4 teams in the state championship this year.

 

The season kicks off August 23rd. Get ready for another exciting year of Northern Kentucky football.

Couldn't even bother to mention Brossart eh?

10. Not sure how much of a bold prediction this is, but Northern Kentucky will put atleast 4 teams in the state championship this year.

 

Great summary of things heading into the season, Walter.

 

I'd say 4 teams in state championship games is a fairly bold prediction, though.

1A - Beechwood has to beat Mayfield to get in the 1A championship...and I honestly don't think that will happen this year. We'll see, I suppose. I'm all for the Tigers pulling one off.

 

2A - New Cath has a "new guy" running the show, but they are going to be strong, as usual, so they definitely have a decent chance of appearing in the 2A championship game.

 

3A - No NKY teams.

 

4A - Highlands is obviously expected to show in the 4A state championship game this year, and if they don't, it will be because Cov Cath upsets them and shows up instead.

 

5A - Conner and Cooper both have a decent shot at making it in, but I think both will be a "we'll see". Without much firsthand knowledge, I don't think either team is terribly deep, so any injuries to key players could be crippling.

 

6A - I just don't see any of the 6A teams from NKY making it to the state finals. Sure, the current tournament bracket alignments help, but I just don't see it.

I'd say 4 teams in state finals is a bit reaching, but I hope it does happen.

 

I see the locks being Highlands.

 

After that possibly NCC but not as much of a lock as one would want.

 

Beechwood has the next best chance I think to make it 3.

Couldn't even bother to mention Brossart eh?

 

Wow I apologize. Honest mistake and I am embarrassed that I left them out.

As far as 4 teams...that's why I said not sure how bold of a prediction this is...

 

I personally think Beechwood, Newcath, and Highlands get to the state championship. I guess I'm putting a lot of stock in Conner or SK also making it. Hope I'm right.

Walton Verona left out of Northern Kentucky again.

Walton Verona left out of Northern Kentucky again.

 

Who is their district?

 

They will actually be showcased in our Nkysports.com live broadcast game of the week in week 0 v Bellevue.

The "face of the program" for Newport is rumored to be back at Lloyd.

The "face of the program" for Newport is rumored to be back at Lloyd.

 

Nope...was at Newport practice today and has no plans of leaving any time soon.

I personally think Beechwood, Newcath, and Highlands get to the state championship. I guess I'm putting a lot of stock in Conner or SK also making it. Hope I'm right.

 

Just curious as to why you think Beechwood will get past Mayfield this year? Not trying to hijack a thread, and if that question belongs in its own thread then I will go there. But you sound rather confident about it, and I was just really wanting to know why.

Who is their district?

 

They will actually be showcased in our Nkysports.com live broadcast game of the week in week 0 v Bellevue.

 

Owen County, Carroll County and Gallatin County. Seems to fall in between the cracks.

Scott will surprise everyone this year. They have the potential to be a really good team.

Scott will surprise everyone this year. They have the potential to be a really good team.

 

I truly hope you are right. It would be great for their program and the kids and coaches that have worked really hard.

Just curious as to why you think Beechwood will get past Mayfield this year? Not trying to hijack a thread, and if that question belongs in its own thread then I will go there. But you sound rather confident about it, and I was just really wanting to know why.

 

The thing Mayfield fans have to understand is people in N. Ky. don't realize the talent and program Mayfield has in place. Mayfield is too far removed from the area and no one in this area gets to see them or hear anything about them. Plus, Beechwood's history over the last 20 years has them fixed in N. Ky. as just a couple notches below Highlands. Add in the hype over a freshman team that beat the N. Ky. big schools to win last year's freshman championship and there you have it.

 

For those in N. Ky. who haven't seen Mayfield the past few years, let me help you. The only N. Ky. school I would rank above Mayfield over the past few years is Highlands. They are better than New Cath. They would most likely beat Cov Cath, Conner, Cooper, Simon Kenton or any other N. Ky. school. If Beechwood beats Mayfield, it will be an upset. An upset that could happen but it will be an upset.