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Saw that Moeller got the best of St. Henry 3-0…I’ll be keeping an eye on how the Colonels fair against them.

As we come to the end of week 1, I believe there were a couple of surprises. Beechwood gets their first win of the season verses the Bluebirds of Highlands. I guess it is true, sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too! Looking at KHSAA Scoreboard this is the Tigers first win in program history verses the Bluebirds. Dixie Heights took care of business against lesser teams in the 9th Region. Boone County is off to a rough start losing 2 games this week to Highlands and NCC. Here is the end of week stats for the 9th Region.

Louisville Collegiate is the best high school team on the attack I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of high school soccer too. The Titans return 3 players that scored over 20 goals, have multiple players that play for Louisville City or Lexington Sporting and they know soccer. It was a long night for my Cougars in Louisville, but I think it would’ve been a long night for any team from NKY verses that team…they are good.

It started out as a great night for soccer in Park Hills. Both teams had opportunities to score often and early but it was Cov Cath that put the first goal in the back of the net as the Cougar defense struggled getting the ball out of the 6 yard box area. The Cougar defense made a weak clear that found the foot of a Colonel and he was able to convert to take the early lead. It wasn't long after that the Cougars struggled again cleaning the ball and the Colonels struck again getting 2 in the back of the net. At this point Conner could've folded, but the Cougars fought back. A ball was played up to the Conner attacker who was able to drive forward and knock the ball off the Cov Cath defender. Conner had a quick throw to a streaking player who ended up with a 1 v 1 with the keeper and converted the shot to draw Conner back to a one goal differential. Halftime followed about 10 minutes after the Conner score. Both teams were sent to the locker room area and after about 20 minutes the game was called due to weather, so there was only 40 minutes of soccer tonight in Park Hills. It would've been fun to see another 40 minutes... this might have been a shoot out the way the offenses were attacking the defense tonight. On a side note... the freshman game was very entertaining with both teams earning the draw.

So... this year I'm just doing the 9th Region. The 8th and 10th are on your own this year (sorry). The NKHSBSCA have posted their Pre-Season rankings (granted theirs includes the 8th/10th regions but mine doesn't), so it is only appropriate that I disagree with them and post my own. 1. Covington Catholic - Reigning 9th Region champs, they are #1 in my rankings until someone beats them.... maybe that happens Tuesday. 2. Conner - 33rd District Champions and they return 8 starters from last year's team. 3 Ryle - They have talent...they will be there all year. 4. Dixie Heights - they have the talent, but do they have enough of it? 5. Cooper - They lost some key pieces, but much like Conner return 6-7 starters and most importantly the man in the box which should help them. 6. St. Henry - They always play tough 7. Highlands - The Bluebirds lost a lot from last year's team... I'm hearing there is a youth movement in Fort Thomas. 8. Beechwood - They have some nice pieces on the field, saw them at Bluegrass and they impressed me. 9. Boone - The Rebels graduated a lot of Seniors but still have one of the best attackers in the region. It only takes one goal to win sometimes. 10. Villa Madonna - The Vikings won't get the opportunity to advance out of the 34th District but they have some kids that can play. 11. NCC - A young team who will only get better. Fortunately for them they get the automatic bid into regions. 12. Holy Cross - I might have this one totally wrong, maybe they could be anywhere between 8-13. 13. Holmes - They have a new coach, who knows maybe they get a couple wins in the region. 14. Covington Latin - They have a schedule posted and looks like they are a senior led team, but these kids are young and smart. Week 1 Games Tuesday Beechwood @ St. Henry - This is a good game to start to the season. Either team could win, might be a draw, I'm going with St. Henry 1-0. Boone County @ Highlands (NKU) - Picking Highlands to win this one. Conner @ Covington Catholic - Could this be a 9th Region final preview? Big 9th Region game in Park Hills to start the season. Cooper @ Bishop Brossart - Hopefully someone gives us updates on this game, interested to see how the Jaguars start the season. Holy Cross @ Dixie Heights - The Red Colonels start the season with a W. Newport Central Catholic @ Simon Kenton - I believe the Pioneers win this one. Ryle @ Western Hills - The Raiders open the season on the road in the 11th Region. Ryle wins this one. Villa Madonna @ Scott - Look for Ivan Potapenko to have a big season, maybe he can get a brace this game. Thursday Conner @ Louisville Collegiate - The Cougars have a tough schedule this year and the defense will face a team that returns 3 starters who scored over 20 goals apiece and were state runners-up. Cooper @ Simon Kenton - This game was a 2-2 draw last year. Covington Catholic @ South Oldham - Common opponent for the Colonels and Cougars this year. If any Dragon fans want to send me the game film, please do (lol). Highlands @ Campbell County - Of course it is my bias opinion, but these teams should be in the same district/region. Go Camels! (Sorry @FrankNicodemus). Holy Cross @ Pendleton County - No opinion really on this game, haven't seen enough of either team to make an informed comment. Newport Central Catholic @ Boone County - Maybe we should have a poll on this game to see who the group thinks win. St. Henry @ Great Crossing - The Crusaders travel south on I-75 and make a stop in Georgetown for a Thursday night game. Villa Madonna @ Dixie Heights - Early 34th District seeding game, The Red Colonels win this one going away. Friday We have some Friday night lights game on the pitch. Dixie Heights is showing 2 games so I'm not sure which one they are actually playing. Bryan Station or Frederick Douglass. Ryle @ Lafayette Saturday Bishop Fenwick (OH) vs Newport Central Catholic Covington Catholic @ Trinity - The Colonels always have a tough schedule. Dixie Heights @ Paul Laurence Dunbar - The Red Colonels have a busy week...looking like 4 games. George Rogers Clark @ Conner - The Cougars return home to host GRC. They tied last year. Highlands @ Beechwood - Game time showing 7:30 am. Will they even have refs at this game? What about concessions? Is it donuts and coffee? Holy Cross @ Paris Ryle @ Henry Clay - The Raiders visit the reigning state champions. There may be a video of the Blue Devils storming the Raider ship last year somewhere out there on the internet. Villa Madonna @ Gallatin County - I'm picking Villa to win this one. Warren Central @ Cooper - Talk about a drive to play soccer, Warren Central visiting the Jaguars @ 5:30 pm. I might have to check this game out. Western Hills @ Boone County - the second 9th region opponent for Western Hills this week. The high school regular season is 8 weeks long. For all the senior players this year, enjoy it, it goes way too fast!

Let the season begin!

Game ended with a scuffle. Conner ran the ball and had a fumble, the Campbell County player was trying to return it and was caught and slung out of bounds by Montgomery. After that a few Camels took objection and the pushing, hooting, and hollering began. I don’t know much about football…but I think Coach Rash has his work cut out for him.

Camels score again with 16:00 left. Camels 12 Cougars 0

Camels score with 23:35 on the clock Camels 6 Conner 0

1st half with coaches in the field ended 6-6. Currently in the second half, full contact full speed Camels driving with the ball on their 44.

Scott 2 Walton Verona 0 Holy Cross 4 Grant Co 0 Conner 2 Simon Kenton 0 Not sure of the final score, but when I left early in the 1st half it was Cov Cath 1 Bishop Brossart 0

Saw on X Cooper 4 NCC 2 Anybody got updates on St. Henry/Highlands and Boone Co./Beechwood?

Anybody got updates on the games played today (Tuesday)?

Updated schedule

Obviously I’m not a Highlands fan…but this will be the nicest facility in NKY for soccer and easily top 3 in the state..,just my opinion, but this already looks awesome and it’s not even done yet.

While down at KY Bluegrass games heard the Raiders are getting back one of the top scores in the region from their 2023 team.

St. Henry had a nice season in 2024. The Cru was able to beat Cov Cath for their best win of the season and also surprised the Blue Birds. The Crusaders graduated 4 seniors, most notably Cody Crowder. The Cru will return Brady Aubuchon in goal who allowed 16 goals and is on the Enquires list as one of the top in NKY. The defense will be led by Connor List who will be entering in his Junior year. I look for the Cru to finish as runner ups again to Dixie Heights in the 34th District. Villa Madonna will look to improve their record for the fall 2025 season. The Vikings graduated 5 seniors but have their top player returning, Ivan Potapenko. If Ivan played for a bigger school he would have better stats, but he has to carry a lot of the load for the Vikings and just gets wore out trying to do everything for his team. That concludes the preseason look at the 9th region. With Kentucky Bluegrass games starting this weekend and then Soccerama a few weeks later at Cov Cath the season will be here very soon. Should be a fun ride this year.

This is subject to change…

Here is the 2025 Bluegrass Games schedule that will take place at Masterson Station in Lexington.

Thank goodness I'm not getting paid to make post on time...I'd be fired by now! Newport Central Catholic had a rough 2024 fall season. The Throroughbreds finished 5-13-2. I would say their best win of the season was against Conner. Having witnessed that game firsthand, I thought NCC had a nice team...but the record says otherwise. NCC got the automatic bid to the region and took the loss to Cov Cath 1-6. Looking at 2025 NCC returns 16 players from the varsity roster of last year. If I'm correct, Andrew Green who will be a sophomore is one of the players to watch. The Thoroughbreds maybe more like COLTS for 2025 as they will be mostly sophomores and juniors and looks like they will have one senior, Grant Kevill. Ryle had their run of 33rd District kings and 9th region monarch end in 2024. The Raiders had three big losses with Chris Maraduaga not being able to play due to injury, Chase McCarthy injury, and of course the loss of Brice Denigan choosing to play club soccer over high school. The Raiders graduated 12 seniors from last year and will look to familiar names to lead them back glory for 2025...Marcos Hoenderkamp (Senior), Peyton Ingalls (Senior), Damien Lakis (Junior), Chase McCarthy (Junior), and Cooper Neace.

We are about 5 weeks out from when the high school soccer season officially starting. I'm looking forward to seeing how my beloved Cougars do this year. There are some holes to fill with Trey Wagner gone from goal and Brayden Thornton no longer anchoring the defense. Let's take a look at the 2025 Cougars! As mentioned, the Cougars will need to replace Wagner in goal. Beckham Mullins is capable of doing this and has been waiting patiently for 3 years now for his chance. Mullins has good size, is aggressive, and communicates well from the back to his team. This will be his year to be the "Man in the Box" and make a name for himself like his dad did playing for the "Red" Colonels back in the day. The backline for the Cougars return Kellen Faulkner who will be looking to improve one of the top defenses in the region last year. The Cougars gave up 18 goals and of the 18, 9 goals were to 9th Region opponents. Colin Davey, Benji Araujo, and Henry Cobble return as well and will be a tough group to score on. Coach Walker will be looking to add 1-2 more players in the backline rotation. The midfield for the Cougars will return Owen Swaney to lead the group. Swaney can cover a lot of ground and is not afraid to mix it up with bigger opposition. Who plays alongside of Swaney will be the biggest question. Does Coach Walker stick with Dallas Marshall who will be looking to show he is a top player in the region or does he look to seniors like Brayden Cranfield, Clark Peterson, or even Benji Araujo to help. The front line for the Cougars maybe one the better ones they have had in years. Grady Noble returns and will be looking to lay claim to top offensive player in the 9th Region. Noble scored 12 goals last year and assisted in 5 others. The Cougars will lean on Mason Ginn to be more of a scoring threat for the 2025 season. Last year was Ginn's first playing striker and he played it on a broken toe on top of that. Ginn was a threat to defenses, and it is my understanding had a very good club year where he played striker and scored double digit goals. To help Noble and Ginn could be Clark Peterson, Dallas Marshall, or Parker Coleman. A player that may also surprise teams is Landon Henn who had a good JV season for the Cougars last year. Other players to watch for the 2025 season include Ayden Terry, Noah Beckley and Anthony Ortiz. The Cougars have a tough schedule for 2025, probably one of the toughest they have had in years. Here is a glimpse of the games scheduled for 2025: Bluegrass Game (3 Games) Soccerama - Simon Kenton Regular Season Covington Catholic Louisville Collegiate GRC Highlands Simon Kenton South Oldham Beechwood Dixie Heights Elder (OH) Lawrenceburg (IN) NCC Bishop Brossart Boone County Villa Madonna Cooper St. Henry Ryle CAL Bryan Station Madison Central I'm looking forward to watching this 2025 Cougar team do great things this year.

I'm a couple of weeks behind now...sorry. I'm going to do multiple teams on this post. Dixie Heights ended up losing to Ryle in the opening round of the regionals last year which kind of surprised me. Dixie graduated 5 seniors from last year's team so they will return a majority of the team for the 2025 fall season. Players to watch include Donovan Lameier, Trevor Bolte, and Ezequiel Bautista. I look for Dixie to win their district again. Highlands no disrespect to @FrankNicodemus, but I'm going to include them in the catch-up post. Highlands went to the final round of the regions where they loss to Covington Catholic 3-1. The birds lose 14 seniors, most notable Sam Lang and Harrison Gamble. The highlight for the 2025 season for the Bluebirds maybe the opening of their multimillion-dollar soccer field in Tower Park. I've been following the post, and it is going to be the best field in NKY for sure. Holmes will return their entire team for the 2025 fall season. The Bulldogs will be looking to improve on the 8-9-3 record. Can the Bulldogs upset a Beechwood or Holy Cross team this year? I'm not sure. I can't share much on the Bulldogs as their team stats are incomplete. Holy Cross had a rough 2024 season. The Indians will need to replace 7 seniors from the team, most notably Wyatt Driscoll in goal. Holy Cross struggled to score only netting 18 goals. They do return their top 4 scores who combined for 12 goals on the season with Gabe Romito leading the pack with 4 goals.

Great night watching the senior all star game at Dixie Heights. The teams were broken out into Blue/Red. I’ll post the rosters separate. First half saw a couple of opportunities for the Red squad to score but nothing developed from it. The Blue squad had their best chance to score stopped as Trey Wagner (yes Wagner was playing striker) shot was blocked by the Red keeper. The second half saw the scoring open up as Harrison Gamble scored as he chased a ball that got past the defense and scored in an open goal. The Red team would score quickly again as I believe Jack Reagor took a shot and the ball deflected off a defender for the goal. Austin Bush had the best goal of the night in my opinion for the Red team scoring from 20+ yards out and finding the top right of the goal putting the red team up 3-0. The Blue team had a couple chances to score but went wide right on a great opportunity and one other attack from the left side blocked by the keeper. As the weather started to come in Harrison Gamble dribbled to his right being guarded by a defender, as he kicked the ball it deflected off the defender and found the side netting putting the Red team up 4-0. Shortly after the game was called with about 14 minutes left due to weather. Harrison Gamble was named MVP, probably should have went to the Red defensive squad as they didn’t allow many scoring opportunities.