The Cougars come in at 0-2 and the Juggs are starting the season 2-0. Can the Cougars give the Juggs their first loss? I'm going to call this one close because I do not know much about the Cougars. I thought they showed some good talent from last years game. Once I figure out how to navigate the new KHSAA website I will start getting some better stats from other teams. The talent has returned for the Juggs but I don't the rhythm has hit yet with the new style of offense. If it hits this week I look for a 35-7 score. If not look for a 21-7. GO JUGGS!

Juggs in a close one.

Game preview: Conner vs. Lloyd Memorial

Lloyd Memorial brings an unbeaten 2-0 record and the momentum of a pair of strong defensive performances into Friday's non-district matchup with Conner. The Cougars enter at 0-2 but showed late fight in last week's 36-21 loss to Ryle, after entering the 4th quarter only down by nine.

The Juggs have the early edge on paper; they have outscored opponents 64-3. Conner is looking to steady itself after opening against two tough big-school opponents. But the Cougars' new offense is still developing under a first-year head coach and a first-year varsity quarterback, making this a useful measuring-stick game rather than a simple record-versus-record matchup.

The Season Thus Far

Lloyd opened with a 21-3 win at Newport Central Catholic, then followed it with the 43-0 shutout of Newport. Conner opened with a 56-6 road loss at Madison Central before narrowing the deficit late against Ryle; the Raiders eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter for the 36-21 decision.

For Lloyd Memorial, the 43-0 victory over Newport represented the kind of complete performance that has made the Juggs one of Northern Kentucky's leading Class 3A programs. It was their second straight win after holding NewCath to a field goal in the opener. The shutout also gave Lloyd an early statement of defensive consistency: through two games, the Juggs have permitted only three points.

Conner's loss to Ryle was more competitive than the final score alone suggests. The Cougars made a late push to close within one score before Ryle broke free in the fourth quarter. That resilience matters for a Conner team attempting to find its offensive identity around junior quarterback Ethan Estvanko, who is making the transition from a defense-first contributor to the starting signal-caller.

Series

The most recent meeting went to Lloyd Memorial, 40-27, at Conner on Sept. 5, 2025.

Players to Watch

Junior Colten Barger is the central figure in Lloyd's remodeled offense. A converted wide receiver taking over at quarterback, Barger produced 218 total yards in the opener against NewCath: he completed 9 of 12 passes for 79 yards while rushing 11 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. His 77-yard touchdown run sealed that 21-3 win.

Lloyd's backfield depth makes Barger more dangerous:

• Avery Conrad, RB/LB: Lloyd's leading rusher from last season, when he ran 81 times for 736 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had 54 rushing yards on 13 carries in the NewCath opener.

• Lincoln Tomlinson, FB/LB: A rugged complementary runner who rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown against NewCath. He also led Lloyd in receiving in that game with three catches for 43 yards.

Lloyd's defense has also made early noise. Linebacker Zay Carter had two sacks against NewCath, including sacks that produced 27 yards in losses, while the experienced front and returning offensive line set the tone for the Juggs' physical approach.

Ethan Estvanko is the key name for Conner. He replaces Grayson Montgomery, who threw for 2,065 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2025. Estvanko did not attempt a varsity pass last season, but he arrives with significant two-way experience: he logged 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a sack as a defender. He was also Conner's top returning rusher entering the season, with 247 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.

At receiver, sophomore EJ Barney has been identified as the Cougars' new go-to target. The 6-foot-1 Barney is expected to take on a bigger varsity role after primarily playing freshman football last season, giving Estvanko a large target as Conner works to establish its passing game.

Publicly available box-score detail for Conner's first two games did not provide verified 2026 individual rushing, passing, or receiving leaders as of this preview. The clearest current personnel indicators are Estvanko's role as the new starting quarterback and returning rushing leader, and Barney's expected emergence as the top receiving option.

Coaches

The coaching matchup links the programs in an interesting way. Kyle Niederman, now in his eighth season at Lloyd Memorial, guided the Juggs to a 13-1 record, district and region championships, and a Class 3A state-semifinal appearance in 2025. His 2026 group returns nearly all of its key rushing and receiving production, plus the entire starting offensive line, but has shifted from a prolific passing attack to a more physical, ground-and-defense identity.

Conner is led by Chase Floyd, a first-year head coach who has been part of the Cougars' staff since 2018. Floyd takes over after a difficult period for the program following the 2025 death of longtime coach Dave Trosper and Noel Rash's one-season interim stint. Floyd has emphasized "One Team, One Mission,” a phrase rooted in Trosper's legacy. He also added veteran assistant Roy Lucas Jr., Lloyd Memorial's head coach from 2000 through 2010, to his staff-an especially notable connection heading into a game against Lucas' former program.

How it Could Go

Lloyd Memorial may try to make this a game of possessions, leverage its veteran line and let Barger, Conrad and Tomlinson wear down the Cougars. The Juggernauts' formula thus far is clear: control the ground game, limit explosive plays and force opponents into long drives against a defense that has yet to allow a touchdown in 2026.

For Conner, the opportunity is to turn last week's late surge against Ryle into a full four-quarter performance. Estvanko's ability to make sound reads, avoid negative plays and connect with Barney on timely throws could prevent Lloyd from crowding the line of scrimmage. If the Cougars can create a few explosive plays and stay within reach into the second half, the contrast between Lloyd's power game and Conner's developing offense could make this one considerably tighter than the records suggest.

Also, it looks like Lloyd is going to have three starting defensive players back this week that haven't played yet. So that should really stiffen up the defense in this game.

Unfortunately, I'm out of town for this game. Will this game be streamed?

5 hours ago, DRKARK said:

Unfortunately, I'm out of town for this game. Will this game be streamed?

It appears so, 859 Insider Network:

https://www.859insidertv.com/?B=3886188

On 8/30/2026 at 12:59 PM, NKYPreps said:

Game preview: Conner vs. Lloyd Memorial

Lloyd Memorial brings an unbeaten 2-0 record and the momentum of a pair of strong defensive performances into Friday's non-district matchup with Conner. The Cougars enter at 0-2 but showed late fight in last week's 36-21 loss to Ryle, after entering the 4th quarter only down by nine.

The Juggs have the early edge on paper; they have outscored opponents 64-3. Conner is looking to steady itself after opening against two tough big-school opponents. But the Cougars' new offense is still developing under a first-year head coach and a first-year varsity quarterback, making this a useful measuring-stick game rather than a simple record-versus-record matchup.

The Season Thus Far

Lloyd opened with a 21-3 win at Newport Central Catholic, then followed it with the 43-0 shutout of Newport. Conner opened with a 56-6 road loss at Madison Central before narrowing the deficit late against Ryle; the Raiders eventually pulled away in the fourth quarter for the 36-21 decision.

For Lloyd Memorial, the 43-0 victory over Newport represented the kind of complete performance that has made the Juggs one of Northern Kentucky's leading Class 3A programs. It was their second straight win after holding NewCath to a field goal in the opener. The shutout also gave Lloyd an early statement of defensive consistency: through two games, the Juggs have permitted only three points.

Conner's loss to Ryle was more competitive than the final score alone suggests. The Cougars made a late push to close within one score before Ryle broke free in the fourth quarter. That resilience matters for a Conner team attempting to find its offensive identity around junior quarterback Ethan Estvanko, who is making the transition from a defense-first contributor to the starting signal-caller.

Series

The most recent meeting went to Lloyd Memorial, 40-27, at Conner on Sept. 5, 2025.

Players to Watch

Junior Colten Barger is the central figure in Lloyd's remodeled offense. A converted wide receiver taking over at quarterback, Barger produced 218 total yards in the opener against NewCath: he completed 9 of 12 passes for 79 yards while rushing 11 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. His 77-yard touchdown run sealed that 21-3 win.

Lloyd's backfield depth makes Barger more dangerous:

• Avery Conrad, RB/LB: Lloyd's leading rusher from last season, when he ran 81 times for 736 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had 54 rushing yards on 13 carries in the NewCath opener.

• Lincoln Tomlinson, FB/LB: A rugged complementary runner who rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown against NewCath. He also led Lloyd in receiving in that game with three catches for 43 yards.

Lloyd's defense has also made early noise. Linebacker Zay Carter had two sacks against NewCath, including sacks that produced 27 yards in losses, while the experienced front and returning offensive line set the tone for the Juggs' physical approach.

Ethan Estvanko is the key name for Conner. He replaces Grayson Montgomery, who threw for 2,065 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2025. Estvanko did not attempt a varsity pass last season, but he arrives with significant two-way experience: he logged 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a sack as a defender. He was also Conner's top returning rusher entering the season, with 247 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.

At receiver, sophomore EJ Barney has been identified as the Cougars' new go-to target. The 6-foot-1 Barney is expected to take on a bigger varsity role after primarily playing freshman football last season, giving Estvanko a large target as Conner works to establish its passing game.

Publicly available box-score detail for Conner's first two games did not provide verified 2026 individual rushing, passing, or receiving leaders as of this preview. The clearest current personnel indicators are Estvanko's role as the new starting quarterback and returning rushing leader, and Barney's expected emergence as the top receiving option.

Coaches

The coaching matchup links the programs in an interesting way. Kyle Niederman, now in his eighth season at Lloyd Memorial, guided the Juggs to a 13-1 record, district and region championships, and a Class 3A state-semifinal appearance in 2025. His 2026 group returns nearly all of its key rushing and receiving production, plus the entire starting offensive line, but has shifted from a prolific passing attack to a more physical, ground-and-defense identity.

Conner is led by Chase Floyd, a first-year head coach who has been part of the Cougars' staff since 2018. Floyd takes over after a difficult period for the program following the 2025 death of longtime coach Dave Trosper and Noel Rash's one-season interim stint. Floyd has emphasized "One Team, One Mission,” a phrase rooted in Trosper's legacy. He also added veteran assistant Roy Lucas Jr., Lloyd Memorial's head coach from 2000 through 2010, to his staff-an especially notable connection heading into a game against Lucas' former program.

How it Could Go

Lloyd Memorial may try to make this a game of possessions, leverage its veteran line and let Barger, Conrad and Tomlinson wear down the Cougars. The Juggernauts' formula thus far is clear: control the ground game, limit explosive plays and force opponents into long drives against a defense that has yet to allow a touchdown in 2026.

For Conner, the opportunity is to turn last week's late surge against Ryle into a full four-quarter performance. Estvanko's ability to make sound reads, avoid negative plays and connect with Barney on timely throws could prevent Lloyd from crowding the line of scrimmage. If the Cougars can create a few explosive plays and stay within reach into the second half, the contrast between Lloyd's power game and Conner's developing offense could make this one considerably tighter than the records suggest.

Excellent breakdown!

This will be a good game. Conner is battle tested.

On 9/1/2026 at 9:13 AM, Builder1214 said:

This will be a good game. Conner is battle tested.

That is what I am thinking. Conner played Ryle so close. If Ryle was playing Lloyd this week everyone would be picking Ryle.

I'll take Lloyd.

Lloyd has a very good team this year, and they have built themselves into a solid 3A squad that should make some noise in November. They have yet to be battle tested, and Conner has show improvement from week 1 to week 2. If Conner can play 4 quarters like they did last week in the second half against Ryle, then I think they have a real shot at getting a win this week! It should be a heck of a game in Erlanger this Friday!

8 minutes ago, AvidSportsJunkie856 said:

Lloyd has a very good team this year, and they have built themselves into a solid 3A squad that should make some noise in November. They have yet to be battle tested, and Conner has show improvement from week 1 to week 2. If Conner can play 4 quarters like they did last week in the second half against Ryle, then I think they have a real shot at getting a win this week! It should be a heck of a game in Erlanger this Friday!

I think you may be over estimating how good Ryle is. I am not impressed with them and how they've looked so far. Lloyd has not played anyone to really be able to judge them either. Could be a close game, but I think Lloyd has more talent and wins this game by two scores.

39 minutes ago, Al Bundy said:

I think you may be over estimating how good Ryle is. I am not impressed with them and how they've looked so far. Lloyd has not played anyone to really be able to judge them either. Could be a close game, but I think Lloyd has more talent and wins this game by two scores.

Let's assume you have it correct, the Juggs by a couple of TDs, that puts Lloyd and Ryle at about the same level. 😬

On 8/30/2026 at 3:41 PM, DRKARK said:

Also, it looks like Lloyd is going to have three starting defensive players back this week that haven't played yet. So that should really stiffen up the defense in this game.

3 defensive starters back. Uh oh.

#7 Peterson, #75 Dobbs, #5 Johnson.

Why was they out the first 2 games? Probably not a topic that wants to be discussed.

The only one who " could " change the game is Peterson who had 110+ tackles last season. Hasn't played in multiple weeks. The 100 degree turf is likely to melt him like a piece of plastic so I wouldn't count on him being a factor.

Roy Lucas Jr. returns to Cecil Dees an he see's where the Juggs are weak. Who can stop EJ Barney? Nooobodyyy. Barney for 100+ and 2 TD's.

Cougs' jump out early and Lloyd needs to find out if they are balanced.

Conner-28

Lloyd-14

Not really understanding why Lloyd has not pushed this game time back to at least 7:30pm? I believe all other, or most, NKY games have been pushed back to 7:30pm and several games in Ohio are starting at 8pm.

Be interested to see what the WBGT says at 7pm?

Health and safety first?