The Collins Titans, ranked 5th in the BluegrassPreps.com 4A Preseason Poll, begin the 2014 season Friday night in Independence as they take on the Simon Kenton Pioneers, ranked 9th in the 6A Preseason Poll. If it is anything like last year’s matchup, it will be well worth the price of admission. Last year was a back and forth, high pressure and exciting game that saw Simon Kenton squeak by with a 23-21 win, hitting a field goal with less than a minute to go in the game. That loss led to a change in Collins Coach Jerry Lucas’ philosophy, and ultimately set up their state championship run.

 

This year there will be many new faces on the field from both teams. Both lost outstanding quarterbacks and key playmakers. However, both sides still have a lot of talent to send out onto the field Friday night. Collins showed in their scrimmage that even though they lost their quarterback and top 5 receivers, they are still going to throw the ball and do so with success. Senior E.J. Burk emerged as one of Browning Becherer’s top targets and should have plenty of chances to make plays on offense. Junior Dylan Siler and Sophomore Dalton Maggard also played very well at receiver and will take some of the pressure off Burk. At running back, seniors Bushy Wells and Devin Watkins are big threats with their speed and Coach Lucas said on his weekly coach’s show that he plans to get Deandre Dicks and Nasean Roseberry the ball as well at some point. Both have a lot of speed and big play potential. Defensively Collins should continue to be solid as they are led by seniors Gabe Nash, Michael Nash, and Bushy Wells at linebacker and defensive end Wyatt Williamson.

 

On the Simon Kenton side of things, running back Dillon Powell returns and should get a lot of carries in the SK offense. He is certainly one player the Titans will have to try to limit as much as possible as he is a quick and talented back that is capable of running for a lot of yards. The Pioneers will start sophomore Cameron Racke at quarterback after playing wide receiver last year. His top target will most likely be senior Logan Winkler, who was the second leading receiver on last year’s 12-1 squad. Simon Kenton’s offensive line will almost certainly have a size advantage over the Titan’s D-line, however, the Titans can use their speed to their advantage. On defense, leading tackler Barry Deaton returns from last year. Last year's econd leading tackler Chris Hicks also returns to give the Pioneers a very solid group a linebacker.

 

The 2014 High School Football Season finally kicks off on Friday night and this matchup should prove to be a great way to start off the season. Both teams are coming off very successful seasons (they went a combined 25-3 in 2013) and hope to continue their success into the 2014 season. Simon Kenton should be favored in this one, but it wouldn’t be wise to count out the Titans.

Nice preview!

Now that's how you do it. Great preview!

Best game in NKY week 0? I think so.

Best game in NKY week 0? I think so.

 

I'm not sure of the other games going on in NKY tomorrow but this one has to be up towards the top if not the best.

Should be a good one. Not sure it can top the Trinity/FTH scrimmage though. :sssh:

 

I'm expecting a huge contingent of Highlands folks in Indy tonight to boo Collins.

An SK fan obsessing about HHS in a SK thread with their opening game only a few hours away. Interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXDo5WhQXI

 

Let's have an awesome night of football!!!!!!! Go Pioneers!!!!

An SK fan obsessing about HHS in a SK thread with their opening game only a few hours away. Interesting.

 

Obsessing? Not hardly. Just hoping to sell a few more burgers.

is Deaton back with the team??

is Deaton back with the team??

 

Pretty sure he is.

is Deaton back with the team??

 

A member of the team? yes. Playing tonight? TBD.