How about the Ludlow Panthers. Won their first district title in almost 50 years last year and was region runnerup and went 8-5 and not a whole lot was said about it. Ludlow is a hard place to win football games. The roster is always small. Life's a little bit tougher for some Ludlow kids compared to kids from bigger schools in bigger towns. But success has been there.

It looks like they lost a lot of seniors well more than a dozen which is a ton for a small program but I hear they have about 40 players in camp which is a good number for Ludlow. They have six or seven starters returning on defense with almost all of their top tacklers back and four or five starters on offense are back so they are more experienced on defense this year. But I also expect them to move the ball offensively with two of their best skill guys back. They scored almost twice as many points as they gave up last year.

Their best player is Dameyn Anness who was the district player of the year. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards and scored nearly 20 TDs and had about 100 tackles. He's a player. Jackson Mays is back at QB and he was decent last year and should be better but they did lose their leading receiver. Both are just juniors. They should really improve over the next year. They have an interesting freshman QB of the future in Miller Reed. Others to watch who were coaches picks last season are Spencer Brandenburg, Matt Brock, Carson Evans and Aiden Smith Baxley. They have talent. But can they win eight games again?

1 hour ago, Crazy Legs said:

How about the Ludlow Panthers. Won their first district title in almost 50 years last year and was region runnerup and went 8-5 and not a whole lot was said about it. Ludlow is a hard place to win football games. The roster is always small. Life's a little bit tougher for some Ludlow kids compared to kids from bigger schools in bigger towns. But success has been there.

It looks like they lost a lot of seniors well more than a dozen which is a ton for a small program but I hear they have about 40 players in camp which is a good number for Ludlow. They have six or seven starters returning on defense with almost all of their top tacklers back and four or five starters on offense are back so they are more experienced on defense this year. But I also expect them to move the ball offensively with two of their best skill guys back. They scored almost twice as many points as they gave up last year.

Their best player is Dameyn Anness who was the district player of the year. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards and scored nearly 20 TDs and had about 100 tackles. He's a player. Jackson Mays is back at QB and he was decent last year and should be better but they did lose their leading receiver. Both are just juniors. They should really improve over the next year. They have an interesting freshman QB of the future in Miller Reed. Others to watch who were coaches picks last season are Spencer Brandenburg, Matt Brock, Carson Evans and Aiden Smith Baxley. They have talent. But can they win eight games again?

Disagree on Ludlow being a hard place to win football games. It’s a great community, one of the better school systems in NKY, and nice facilities. Ludlow has had many good teams in the past, but one of the reasons why it was so many years between district titles and deeper playoff runs. Was because most of those years they had a top 5 team in the state in their district with either Beechwood and NCC, and even one point in time had both in the district with them. 
 

With no longer having Beechwood or NCC in the district I think we will see Ludlow win the district many more times and make more playoff runs similar to last year. Which to answer your question I do think they win at least 8 games. I think they will win 8 regular season games this year, and make another playoff run. 

My eye is on the Panthers… the Ludlow Panthers!!!!

On 7/30/2024 at 11:11 AM, Crazy Legs said:

They have an interesting freshman QB of the future in Miller Reed

Can you elaborate a little bit more on the freshman QB? I always like finding some younger athletes and keeping tabs on them over their high school careers. Is he a pocket passer, scrambler, athlete? All three would be a nice combo lol. Gym rat? Can he find the field early at another position other than QB with their current starting QB only being a junior?

On 7/31/2024 at 6:50 PM, Honey Badger said:

Can you elaborate a little bit more on the freshman QB? I always like finding some younger athletes and keeping tabs on them over their high school careers. Is he a pocket passer, scrambler, athlete? All three would be a nice combo lol. Gym rat? Can he find the field early at another position other than QB with their current starting QB only being a junior?

All I heard so far was the name but I might learn more later. It's Miller Reed. Don't know much else about him other than he's a great athlete who also is going to play in the secondary for Ludlow.

I fully expect Ludlow to repeat as district champs with another strong season. Coach McMillen does things the right way, his players play hard and with class. Very excited to see this team as the year goes on!

6 minutes ago, BigTuna6 said:

I fully expect Ludlow to repeat as district champs with another strong season. Coach McMillen does things the right way, his players play hard and with class. Very excited to see this team as the year goes on!

A team on the rise. Some nice additions to the coaching staff should have the Panther fans excited about this season. 

9 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

A team on the rise. Some nice additions to the coaching staff should have the Panther fans excited about this season. 

Who has joined the coaching staff this year? That's great to hear. 

3 hours ago, BrosefStalin said:

Who has joined the coaching staff this year? That's great to hear. 

Jeff Barth, head coach at Walton-Verona last year.

5 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Jeff Barth, head coach at Walton-Verona last year.

That's a great addition to the team, school and community.

I believe Ludlow has a solid chance at winning their district again. I am interested in seeing how they do this season with the advancement that they had in the playoffs last year.

On 7/31/2024 at 6:50 PM, Honey Badger said:

Can you elaborate a little bit more on the freshman QB? I always like finding some younger athletes and keeping tabs on them over their high school careers. Is he a pocket passer, scrambler, athlete? All three would be a nice combo lol. Gym rat? Can he find the field early at another position other than QB with their current starting QB only being a junior?

Sounds like the frosh QB Reed is going to take occasional game snaps when Ludlow wants to be more flexible with the use of regular starting QB Mays. 

Have been impressed with this program.

Especially with the HC.

Agree with the previous post about "class."

Wish them all the best this season.