2026 Covington Catholic Colonels

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Covington Catholic is now two full seasons off of their last trip to the football state finals, with their 2024 season ending in the 4A semifinals, and their 2025 season ending in the 4A quarterfinals.

Highlights from the 2025 season include a solid 17-10 win over Cathedral High School from Indianapolis, as well as a 36-29 road win over a very strong Johnson Central squad in the second round of the 4A playoffs. They also had strong performances in their losing efforts against Elder, whom they lost a hard-fought 28-20 battle to in Week 2, and against Highlands when the Bluebirds bested the Colonels 31-28 in Fort Thomas.

Cov Cath graduates the best running duo their team has ever had share the offensive backfield in QB Cash Harney and RB Dylan Gaiser, as well as 4 of their 5 top receivers and multiple of their starting offensive linemen. On defense they also are losing linemen, as well as linebacker Brady Guard and defensive backs Cash Harney, Logan Sanning, Dylan Gaiser and Zach Brooks.

The question of coaching changes is also looming as the team heads towards spring practice. Offensive line coach Joey Ledonne has accepted the school's alumni director job and will not be returning to the football coaching staff, and with the Newport Central Catholic head coach job currently sitting open there's an abundance of conjecture about defensive coordinator Terry Brown leaving to take over the football program at his alma mater.

Looking to 2026, though, some of the returning contributors we can likely expect to see on the gridiron for the Colonels:

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: Jonny Lind (Sr.), Landon Robinson (Jr.), Colin Vinson (Sr.), Miles Woolf (So.) Spencer Clukey (Sr.)

Linebackers: Cash Myers (Jr.), Jackson Payne (Sr.), Evan Link (Jr.)

Defensive Backs: Mac Cogwell (Sr.), Jace Thornton (Jr.), Brandon Smith (So.), Dylan Courtney (Jr.)

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Dylan Courtney (Jr.)

Running Backs: Kiyan Miller (So.), Jace Thornton (Jr.)

Receivers: Mac Cogswell (Sr.), Dylan Courtney (Jr.), Jamir Kirtley (So.), Jason Fedor (Sr.), Grant Reardon (Sr.)

Tight Ends: Owen Pitzer (Sr.), Spencer Clukey (Sr.), Cash Myers (Jr.)

Offensive Line: Jonny Lind (Sr.), Landon Robinson (Jr.), Colin Vinson (Sr.)

Kickers: Logan Zembrodt (Jr.), Eli Robertson (So.)

BE ON THE LOOKOUT

Offense - Dylan Courtney saw more offensive snaps as backup quarterback last year, but Evan Link, Thomas Van Auken, and rising sophomore Charlie Hull have also had strong performances behind center in their careers at Cov Cath. Evan Link's size and athleticism may make him more useful elsewhere on the offense, and he will almost certainly be contributing heavily on defense, as well. Upcoming sophomores Micah Grace and and Carson Grainger are more than likely to make appearances on the varsity field for Cov Cath, as well, potentially at tight end. As a freshman starting on the varsity squad last year, Brandon Smith showed that he was more than qualified to play on defense, and although he didn't see much playing time on the offensive side of the ball, it wouldn't be out of the question to see him contributing on offense this year. Donovan Eviston also saw limited varsity playing time as a freshman wide receiver last year, as did freshman lineman Miles Woolf.

Defense - Jason Fedor and Jace Thornton will likely be showing up in the defensive backfield, as will incoming sophomore Jamir Kirtley. Incoming sophomore Carson Grainger is likely to be a regular on the varsity linebacking corps. Oliver Dalton, Parker Payne, Ashton Feinauer, and Mack Deters are a few more rising sophomores you can definitely look to see contributing on the Colonel defense in the upcoming season.

Special Teams - Logan Zembrodt would certainly seem to have field goal and PAT duties on lockdown after going 59-59 on PATs and 4-4 on field goals in 2025. Graduating senior Tanner Robertson handled most of the kickoff duties last year for the Colonels, but younger brother Eli Robertson did a strong job with all place kicking duties for the freshman team last year, so it will be interesting to see whether or not Cov Cath continues to have a Robertson handling kickoff duties.

SCHEDULE

The 2026 schedule has only been partially released on Arbiter at this point so we haven't seen everything 100% confirmed as of yet, but assuming this year's schedule is all the second year of two-year home and away contracts, it will be as follows:

Aug 21 vs. Ryle
Aug 28 vs. Elder (OH)
Sep 4 vs. Simon Kenton
Sep 11 at Dixie Heights
Sep 18 vs. Beechwood
Sep 25 vs. Central
Oct 2 vs. Highlands (District)
Oct 9 at Cathedral (IN)
Oct 16 at Harrison County (District)
Oct 23 vs. Mason County (District)
Oct 30 - BYE

[Voice of Reason]

I look at all that graduating talent and wonder how in the world can they replace everyone. Could it possibly be more of a rebuild than reload this year?

Then I look at the projected players and it is clear there is no such thing as rebuild at CCH. There is way too much talent in that building to ever think rebuild.

It will look a little different. Different names. Maybe an early season stumble. But the Colonels will be a top 5 title contender at playoff time.

[MaddenCurse44]

Will Smith get some carries at RB or play WR?

[Cov_Cath_Hwy]

Anyone hearing any names to replace Coach Ledonne?

And I am certain if Smith warrants touches on offense He will get them.  I have no doubt Smith will figure in somehow on offense 

[DearToday]

On 1/21/2026 at 12:53 PM, MaddenCurse44 said:

Will Smith get some carries at RB or play WR?

I’d say he will be getting jiggy with it. 

[Voice of Reason]

43 minutes ago, DearToday said:

I’d say he will be getting jiggy with it. 

Fresh Prince in the house ... 

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

On 1/21/2026 at 6:57 AM, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

The question of coaching changes is also looming as the team heads towards spring practice. Offensive line coach Joey Ledonne has accepted the school's alumni director job and will not be returning to the football coaching staff, and with the Newport Central Catholic head coach job currently sitting open there's an abundance of conjecture about defensive coordinator Terry Brown leaving to take over the football program at his alma mater.

My understanding is that Covington Catholic is now looking for a new defensive coordinator.

[Cov_Cath_Hwy]

35 minutes ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

My understanding is that Covington Catholic is now looking for a new defensive coordinator.

Whoa wow!!  So a new Line Coach and DC?  Any names you can throw out yet….

[Buck2]

18 minutes ago, Cov_Cath_Hwy said:

Whoa wow!!  So a new Line Coach and DC?  Any names you can throw out yet….

Will Alex Shelton take the helm at DC? 

[Cov_Cath_Hwy]

Doubtful…I am told they are going to swing for the fences on this one…I have no name or other info than that at the moment. I am told they will move very very fast on this...if Shelton stays with the program and keeps getting better, he could have a huge future with the program. Definitely a name/Coach to watch.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

6 minutes ago, Cov_Cath_Hwy said:

Doubtful…I am told they are going to swing for the fences on this one…I have no name or other info than that at the moment. I am told they will move very very fast on this...if Shelton stays with the program and keeps getting better, he could have a huge future with the program. Definitely a name/Coach to watch.

[Cov_Cath_Hwy]

Just now, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Yup!  Told He wants it and they want Him.  Just trying to make it work.  This would be a monster get that makes the whole program better by far…..been a long time coming….

[Three Blind Mice]

55 minutes ago, Cov_Cath_Hwy said:

Yup!  Told He wants it and they want Him.  Just trying to make it work.  This would be a monster get that makes the whole program better by far…..been a long time coming….

Coach Woolf was our DC Eddie's senior year. He was special to all of us. I'd love to see this connection. The man knows the game.

[Buck2]

3 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Is he retiring from his AD position at Ryle? 

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

2 hours ago, Buck2 said:

Is he retiring from his AD position at Ryle? 

I guess that would be the implication if the deal goes down. And I'm hearing good things about it.