As one of the resident Danville fans, I figured that I should go ahead and start this thread for the 2025 season.  Danville's struggles over the last few years have been well noted by me and others.  The Admirals enter this season on a 23-game losing streak and coming off a season where they scored the fewest points of any team in Class 2A (a mere 33).

The Ads start this year's campaign with a new head coach.  Steve Stonebreaker was hired from Adair County because of his knack for building programs, a hire universally applauded by what has been a divided fan base over the past 4 seasons.  The Admirals also enter a new district alignment.  The old rivalry with Somerset (and former head coach Clay Clevenger) is gone.  Washington County stays, LCA comes back into Danville's orbit, and W.E.B. Du Bois Academy and Shawnee come in as new district opponents.

It seems like the Ads have nowhere to go but up and there appear to be some promising signs as there were less murmurs of transfers out of the system since Stonebreaker's hire, which the Ads have had to grapple with in recent seasons.  If Stonebreaker can keep the athletes in house, there's a chance Danville can use this as a solid rebuilding year.  There are also upgrades happening at Admiral Stadium, so the Ads should be able to play their home games at home this year instead of going to Centre College.

Others thoughts?

Have the floodgates to Boyle been open so much they can’t be closed?

29 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

Have the floodgates to Boyle been open so much they can’t be closed?

It's a concern but I haven't heard as much chatter of players leaving for the Rebels this off-season as has been the case since Peach stepped down.  I take that as a good sign.

Danville will be better.  How much better remains to be seen but like you said, there's nowhere to go but up.  But if Stoney can win at Casey he can definitely win at Danville.  The Admirals have a big hill to climb to fix the mess that's been left to them.  But I honestly believe that make some strides this year.  

Any word on how the summer has went for Danville? Heard numbers are improved. Who ended up joining Stonebraker on staff? And who will be the quarterback this season? 

Stoney is a very good coach and has won games at places that have not had much success. If he is able to keep the players at Danville they will be much improved.

With

On 6/12/2025 at 10:23 PM, BEChargers said:

Danville will be better.  How much better remains to be seen but like you said, there's nowhere to go but up.  But if Stoney can win at Casey he can definitely win at Danville.  The Admirals have a big hill to climb to fix the mess that's been left to them.  But I honestly believe that make some strides this year.  

With his track record at improving programs like Casey and Adair, I feel Coach Stoney will turn the program around. The Ads have a rich tradition and a good talent base. It may take awhile, but better days are ahead for DHS football.

51 minutes ago, Maroon Beech said:

With

With his track record at improving programs like Casey and Adair, I feel Coach Stoney will turn the program around. The Ads have a rich tradition and a good talent base. It may take awhile, but better days are ahead for DHS football.

Very strong point about his ability to win where it’s not easy. 
 

Casey County went 0-11 this past season. 
Adair County was 3-7 in 2022 (year prior to Stonebraker arriving) 

I expect Danville to be at least 5-5 in the regular season, with a chance for more in certain games. The future should be very bright for the Ads. 
 

 

Stonebreaker will make strides if given time and devotion. His track record suggests it will take a year or two before he gets going to full speed.

The schedule is favorable and a good schedule to get forward momentum. I'll say 6-4 or 7-3.. think they can compete against everyone except LCA. Anderson County, Lincoln County, and Washington County will be challenges.. Fairdale and Southern are bigger schools but I think Danville can hang.

 

IMHO, if Danville can get to 7-3 you couldn't ask for a better first step!

Danville hasn't won a game since 2022.  I think they'd love a 6 or 7 win season !

Western Sizzlin’. Dusty Slay loves that place.