2007 Bluegrasspreps.com 6A Football Preview

**theguru** · August 5, 2007

1. Trinity (14-1)

Head coach: Bob Beatty

2006: Beat Ryle 41-7 in the 4A state championship game

Each year I write this preview, I use the following sentence “There are few constants in Kentucky high school football, but one resonates yearly: Trinity will be a favorite for the state title.” For the past two years and five out of the last six, that constant has held true, as Trinity has been the best team in the State.

The run Trinity is on right now, may never be duplicated in the big school division (4A/6A). Since 2000, the Rocks have made it to the State Final every year but one, winning 5 of the last 6 titles. Trinity is the only 4A/6A school to have three-peated, a feat they have accomplished twice, 1988-1990 and 2001-2003. This may be bad news for the rest of the state, but Trinity is in prime position to three peat for a third time having won the state title in 2004 and 2005, only allowing 13 points in 8 quarters of Championship play.

Once again the Shamrocks from Trinity are a favorite for their state record 18th State Championship. The Rocks have already amassed five titles this decade and have been in the Finals six out of the last seven years, a streak unequaled in 4A/6A football. Think about this: since Bob Beatty has been the head coach at Trinity, Trinity has more State Titles, more State Title game appearances, more wins, more practices (to the players’ chagrin) and more success than any other school in Kentucky, let alone 4A/6A.

Trinity has an even more challenging schedule this year due to the KHSAA’s omnipotence. By reducing the number of teams in the district due to the six-class expansion, Trinity was forced to find out of county opponents.

The Rocks will face Bowling Green, Lexington Lafayette and Lexington Dunbar during the regular season. Local foes include PRP, Butler, Ballard, Seneca, Eastern and Louisville St. X, but the Rocks’ toughest foe will be national powerhouse Cincinnati St. X. Look for both St. X games to garner national attention.

Trinity returns some offensive starters from the 2006 title squad. Junior Tim Phillips may be the best running back to walk the halls of Floersh and Sheehan since Alan Hennessey. Tim has put on 10 pounds of muscle, while somehow becoming faster. Look for Tim to be placed in open spaces to allow him to use his speed and vision. Senior Will Stein is projected to be the starting quarterback. Stein has contributed the past two years as a wide receiver, but his arm strength has grown from last year, as he looked good in 7 on 7 competitions.

Look for senior wide receivers Alex Dutton (5-11, 168) and Nate Dutton (5-11, 171) to employ their State Championship track speed and have big years. In the trenches, the Rocks return three starters from the offensive line: All-Stater Sam Robey (6-3, 245), Alex Kupper and Kyle Griffin. While other schools seem to prefer “large” linemen, the Rocks have found success with agile, in-shape players. Both Kupper and Robey played varsity basketball for the Rocks last year and all played pivotal roles in the Rocks’ 2006 campaign.

As we all know, on defense is where state championships are won and that was never more true last year, as the Rocks held their second straight Finals’ opponent to a touchdown or less (Ryle 7 and St. Xavier 6). Coach Terry Bean has implemented an aggressive defense that will have a larger impact in its fourth year.

Senior Wes Weitlauf (5-11, 204) and Junior Jordan Whiting (6-1, 234) are expected to play major roles from their linebacking positions. Both have excellent speed and closing abilities, necessities in the split-six scheme. Outside linebacker Andrew Deeds also returns from a terrific junior season.

The Rocks have a fantastic senior class who has provided great leadership and guidance to the underclassmen during off-season workouts. When Trinity has a large number of returning starters, it usually is a sign of good things for the folks on Shelbyville Road.

If you are a Trinity supporter, go ahead and mark your calendars for a football game on December 7, 2007 at Papa John’s Stadium – opponent to be announced at a later date. 17 is nice, but 18 is even nicer.

Click here for the 2007 Trinity schedule

2. St. Xavier (9-3)

Head coach: Mike Glaser

2006: Lost to Male 33-7 in the second round of the 4A playoffs

By Oxnard

The year 2007 will be a very special one in the storied history of Saint Xavier High School. A dream that generations of St. X. Alumni have shared for many decades will finally become a reality, when we host our initial varsity football game against Ballard on August 24 in our beautiful new 6,100-seat Brother Thomas More Page Stadium on campus.

Although the Tigers began playing football long ago in 1917 with a 20-6 victory over Jeffersonville, until now the varsity team has never had a true home field, with most of the home games being played at historic DuPont Manual Stadium.

The excitement in the air at Tigertown extends not only to the new facilities, but also to the upcoming football season. For the first time in four years, Coach Mike Glaser and the St. Xavier Tigers found themselves absent from the state championship finals in 2006. It was an experience that they do not plan on repeating in 2007.

Although as always they lost some outstanding seniors, including the school’s all-time leading rushing leader, Victor Anderson, the Tigers will reload with a horde of outstanding talent, both remaining and upcoming. Coach Mike Glaser, with an imposing overall record of 270-61, welcomes a group of seniors, juniors, and sophomores, all of whom as freshmen never tasted defeat in the state of Kentucky.

On the coaching front, there will only be a couple of adjustments. With offensive line coach, Jamie Brown, accepting a graduate assistant position at the University of Michigan, Coach Glaser will return to coaching the offensive line. His brother Bill, who coached St. X. to undefeated state titles in 1974 and 1975 before spending many years as a coach at Kentucky, will take over Mike’s former duties on instructing the defensive line.

As usual, the biggest potential stumbling block for achieving the Tigers’ lofty aspirations will be a heavily weighted schedule against some highly rated teams in the BGP Preseason Rankings. After opening at home with 6A #9 Ballard and 5A Oldham County, who returns 15 starters, the X-men go on the road against 4A #1 Lexington Catholic, 6A #3 Male, and 6A #5 DuPont Manual.

For the complete Tiger Preview click here!

3. Male (11-1)

Head coach: Bob Redman

2006: Lost to Trinity 38-34 in the second round of the 4A playoffs

Bob Redman and the Male Bulldogs prepare to begin the 2007 season A.D. – After Douglas.

With the departure of Mr. Football Douglas Beaumont, Male looks to begin a new era in Class 6A football in a district that now includes Bullitt Central, Fern Creek, and Southern. Bullitt Central has won one playoff game since Redman began coaching at Male. Southern hasn’t won any.

And of course, Male will have the athletes to compete with any team in the new 6A despite the losses suffered to graduation.

For the complete H Preview click here!

4. Henry Clay (12-2)

Head coach: Sam Simpson

2006: Lost to Trinity 56-35 in the 4A semifinals

By Jessica Rouse

Bluegrasspreps.com

The Blue Devils of Henry Clay return nine starters back on offense and six on defense.

And while those starters should show their smarts on the field again this season, it’s not only the starting Blue Devils that have proven intelligence. Of the 65 upperclassmen on the Henry Clay football team, 48 of them have a G.P.A of 3.0 or higher, said Henry Clay Head Coach Sam Simpson.

Last season, Henry Clay’s quarterback Ryan Phillippi was ranked in the KHSAA’s top 25 for passing as a junior. He completed nearly 70-percent of his passes for nearly 2,500 yards and threw for 32 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He also ran for over 700 yards and eight touchdowns

For the complete Henry Clay Preview click here!

5. DuPont Manual (6-5)

Head coach: Joe Nichols

2006: Lost to St. Xavier 39-9 in the first round of the 4A playoffs

DuPont Manual won six games against one of the toughest schedules in the state last year.

Their 2007 schedule is no easier but a large group of returning starters has the Crimson faithful hoping the eclipse the six-win total and spring an upset or two in the playoffs.

The Rams have a pair of players selected to the Tremendous 26 on the defensive side of the football.

Dave Ulinksi has been a starter on defense the past two seasons and will now add the offensive line to his repetoire. The 6-6, 290-pound senior lists both Kentucky and Louisville high on his list of college choices.

For the complete Manual Preview click here!

6. Pleasure Ridge Park (7-4)

7. Scott County (7-4)

8. Boone County (6-5)

9. Ballard (7-5)

10. Lafayette (10-1)

For the complete 6A Preview click here!