#RockNation

Just a few observations from this 3 quarter scrimmage:

Trinity's defense is again the backbone of the program. LB Brady McEnaney came up huge with a red zone INT, and then a strip-sack fumble recovery to stop another drive. How he doesn't have a D-1 offer is mind boggling to me. DL Nate Tronzo has picked up where Mitchell Toney left off. Tronzo is a game wrecker and was pulling double-teams all day. DL JC Wilson, Claude Mahan, and Jahbarri Frost also looked very good against the run as Springfield had almost no room to move the ball. I thought the linebackers flowed to the ball very well and kept the Wildcats QB on roller skates for most of the game. The back end gave up a few touchdowns, but CB Brandon Stafford's pick-6 was a bright spot. 

This was a tough matchup for the offense. But in saying that, this might be the best defense Trinity will see all year. The secondary for Springfield was elite and will keep them in every game they play in 2023. QB Jackson Hepner earned the start and he tried to fit in nearly every throw due to suffocating coverage. Will DeSensi came in and made a few nice plays with his mobility but the Rocks just couldn't punch it in against the Wildcats. RB Clint Sansbury was fantastic and amassed what I believe was close to 200 total yards. He had a huge run down to the 1 on the first drive and also had a few screen passes and runs where he drug defenders down the field for 10-15 yards each time. 

The touchdown drive came in the third quarter when Freshman QB Zane Johnson entered. Johnson showed why he has so much hype coming in, showing major arm talent and poise. After zipping one past an open Luke Sasser, he walked up to him and apologized, then on the next drive hit him in stride after dodging two blitzes and stepping up in the pocket. Sansbury finished it off with a run up the middle on fourth down into the end zone.

K/P Carson Hilbert made a 45-yard field goal into the wind, which would have been good from 55-60 yards. He also hit 2 touchbacks and did a nice job punting.

While Springfield technically won the game with a score of 28-17, much of this game was Coach Cobb trying out some things and not necessarily worrying about down and distance. I heard some people complaining about not going for it on 4th and short or when Trinity did go for it on 4th and long, but it must be said that he was clearly trying to test the troops out there and see what they were capable of. All and all, this was a good showing for both teams and Trinity now has a much better picture of what to work on if they are to compete for a State Championship this year.     

The Shamrocks scrimmage on Saturday will be 3 quarters beginning at 11:30 and then JV for a while after. They play Springfield HS from Dayton, OH, who are slotted as the #42 team in the nation by MaxPreps right now. They have a top tier defender in CB Aaron Scott who is committed to Ohio State. SHS also went to the championship game last year where they lost to Cleveland St. Edward.

This should be a good matchup for Trinity who is looking to find their footing amongst a difficult early season schedule against the likes of Center Grove, Frederick Douglass and Carmel.  More to follow as I hear it.

15 minutes ago, SHAMROCK69 said:

I'm hearing the practices are very intense. All business, no clowning around. New Offensive Coordinator looks to open thing up. Brutal schedule. Time will tell.

Definitely a lot of this...More running than I have seen in a while and the team is very focused.

Also really good to see Travis Wright having a hand in it as QB's coach as well...Winningest QB in school history should definitely have a role somewhere, so I am glad to see him out there working with Williams and Cobb and sharing what he knows. ☘️

Defense looks very impressive. Front 7 are all fast, aggressive and hungry...McEnaney, Davis, Frost, Mitchell, Wilson, Tronzo, etc. Offense has glimmers but is still getting there (albeit against perhaps the state's best, Iron sharpens Iron!!!) Kicking game will again be a strength with JR Carson Hilbert taking over Special Teams for McLaughlin (Miami U) and Schultz (UofL)...Offensive Line looks to be getting better and as many have said previously, the skill kids are all there...Hepner taking many of the reps at QB right now but I have a feeling he will be getting pushed all season

Side Note: The WDRB App simulcast appears to be a go at this point and we should have a much better video presence this year alongside our normal radio broadcast 

On 6/26/2023 at 12:47 PM, theguru said:

I will keep my fingers crossed and a school like Trinity should have their own broadcasting network.  The NFHS broadcasts are almost always a bad reflection on the school using them. 

Completely agree. I would dive head first into this if allowed.

Alas...

<--- I like the fact that our helmet logo has a great backstory...I wish the guys coming through got to hear that from the upperclassmen and Mr. Semary like we did

On 6/15/2023 at 8:42 PM, fatsnbul said:

@RockNation Will Trinity have any TV production on NFHS Network? Audio matched with the video and etc.?

Word is that we are experimenting with a program that will use streaming on the WDRB Fox-41 app where they will have the video synced with audio...I know they piloted it with a Lacrosse match but I am not sure how that went...Hoping we can do something for this year's broadcast to make it better for everyone.   

I honestly don't remember this much hype around an incoming class since the Quick/White/Wright/Dawkins class. There were also a lot of very talented kids on last year's team that somehow went 2-8 including Cameran Mitchell, KeAnthony Calloway, Jahbarri Frost, and several others. Young talent combined with veteran leadership from guys like McEnany, Sansbury, Sasser, Kays, et al is a great sign! 

On 5/19/2023 at 4:22 PM, fatsnbul said:

What about the WR’s as a group? That position has seemed to have slipped the past few seasons.

That's where Trinity has to do a better job of spreading the ball to, I think. Depending on how the backfield shakes out with Jackson Hepner, Will DeSensi, Luke Sasser, Clint Sansbury and Jeremiah Lynn, any combination of those not playing QB or RB gives the Rocks a lot of weapons. Lynn has deep play ability and game breaking speed. Sansbury, Huck Campbell and Sasser can all get open and are decent route runners. Jake Castelluzzo will step into the TE role and can be effective especially in the middle of the field. 

I also keep hearing about this Freshman class and could see some impact from that group as well. I don't know if there is a James Quick or Rondale Moore in that group, but there is definitely the hype around them. 

On 1/14/2023 at 10:13 AM, Tigerpride94 said:

Trinity ended last season with a close 10-7 loss to Bryan Station in the third round of 6A playoffs. 

Trinity returns several players on offense and defense with the following top players returning:

Offense:

RB Clinton Sansbury 520 yds rushing and 4 tds, 94 yds receiving and 1 td.

RB Lucas Sasser 394 yds rushing and 2 tds, 116 yds receiving.

RB/WR Jeremiah Lynn 367 yds rushing and 5 tds, 486 yds receiving and 3 tds.

Most likely William DeSensi will replace the graduated Andrew Allen at QB. The offense can be improved with the above trio returning.

Defense:

LB Brady McEnaney 73 tkls, 9.5 for a loss and 4 sacks.

DB Gabriel Mingus 60 tkls and 1 for a loss.

S Robert Morrow 56 tkls, 8 for a loss and .5 sack.

DB Lincoln Mitchell 42 tkls.

LB Andrew Davis 40 tkls, 2.5 for a loss and 2 sacks.

DB Cameron Wooten 30 tkls and .5 for a loss.

DB Caleb Ricks 24 tkls.

DL William Tronzo 23 tkls, 4 for a loss and 2 sacks.

Against a tough schedule last year, the Trinity defense gave up 14.8 ppg and with what Trinity returns on defense that number should decrease.

 

The Trinity defense should be the best defense in 6A next year and couple that with a good offense and the Shamrocks can return to the 6A championship. 

Adding to the OP:

Wooten was a senior last year so we will be looking for someone to fill the role vacated across from Ricks. He along with DeSensi, Will Ford and Dane Morrow should all be solid contributors from the baseball team that we missed in Spring practice. Tronzo, JC Wilson and Claude Mahan will vie for spots on the defensive line along with upstart sophomore Jahbarri Frost. Davis, McEnaney, Morrow and JR Nick Lococo will see time at linebacker and the Viper/Adjuster position. 

Offensively Matt Higgins, Gabe Kays and Boyd Knoerr all logged significant minutes on the line and will be expected to carry a big load again. Elijah Hernandez could slide in also, along with Caden Smith. QB is still up in the air with DeSensi, Jackson Hepner and Lucas Ladson all returning. Luke Sasser, Clint Sansbury, Chris Wilson and Jeremiah Lynn return at running back. Jake Castelluzzo takes over at TE and Huck Campbell returns at WR. 

Kicker/Punter Carson Hilbert is one of the highest recruited kids in the country at his position in the 2025 class and he takes over for two D-1 seniors in McLaughlin (Miami U) and Schwartz (Louisville). Hilbert can hit from 50+ routinely and will continue to pin offenses deep in their own territory.

The schedule is what it is. Tough teams getting us ready for December. We need to control the lucky bounces in the game more this season and we definitely have the athletes to do it. Fingers crossed for a great 2023!☘️

4 hours ago, Tkinslow said:

Has Trinity ever lost before the 3rd round of the playoffs. 

Not since the advent of 6A...1995 is the last time I remember:

KHSAA Bracket

13 hours ago, Bear3 said:

Patrick Reynolds, Daniel Withrow, and Brian Lowder were part of the 1995 Class AAA State Champs at Bowling Green and starters for WKU during their 2002 National Championship season (FCS)

Robert Reynolds was at tosu in 02 also...first pair of brothers at different schools to win titles I believe

Imagine this region with George Washington III, Sisk and Kaleb Glenn all staying to play...sheesh

Also, King is very good but definitely not "one of the top players in the country." I think he has offers to IUPUI and Ohio.

Should be fun to watch either way this year!

was very impressed with him last week...I think he was being asked to do a whole lot and I'm sure he was worn out by the end, but a great player and by all accounts a great young man as well

5 hours ago, theguru said:

From Wikipedia:

Shelton attended Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Kentucky, where he played both running back and linebacker and twice earned state Class 4A Player of the Year honors. He totaled 4,970 yards rushing with 59 touchdowns and 129 tackles with 11 sacks and 41 stops for losses during his career. Shelton was a First-team USA Today and Parade All-American and was also an All-State track performer who competed in the high hurdles, triple jump and 4x100 relay. It was in high school that he met his future wife Shamea. He was on Tom Lemming's Top 100 high school recruits, ranked at #6 in the nation.

Louisville

Shelton attended the University of Louisville, and in his junior year (in 2004) he led the Cardinals in rushing (938 yards) and touchdowns (20). His touchdown total tied the single season Louisville touchdown record (since broken by Michael Bush with 23 in 2005) and he also tied a Louisville record by rushing for five touchdowns in a game versus East Carolina University. He ranked sixth in the nation with 120 points. In 22 games with the Cardinals, he totaled 1,728 yards on 312 carries (5.5 avg) and had 30 touchdown runs. His 30 touchdowns rank third all time at Louisville despite his only playing two years there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Shelton_(American_football)

I was referencing this, but yeah he was a beast and ended our careers at Trinity...

28 minutes ago, NLTanker1 said:

I'm not sure what that means. I was told by someone that is part of the broadcast team, that he is with the radio guys, because T wouldn't pay him for what he does. However he is compensated for his services with Wayne and Jason.

Was just joking buddy. I am also part of the team and I understand what you are saying.

I have never seen a kid like Jayden Johnson before. I've always heard about these guys who transcend the limitations of their age and size, but until I saw this kid running with D'Angelo Russell, David Johnson, Damion Lee and some other pro guys in the offseason, I couldn't believe it. He is tremendous in the open floor and has a killer jump shot. He defends well, can pass and is very intelligent. Alongside McClain, Vasser, Walls and Pfeiffer, it will be hard to pick against Trinity this year!  

Just now, Unrivaled97 said:

If both Ballard and Bryan Station win, then they both have higher RPIs than BE.  If that's the case, then BE would visit Bryan Station and the winner of Henderson County & Male would visit Ballard.

I guess I didn't realize that they would move to the other side of the bracket for RPI...

hmm...

23 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Agreed. Bullitt East strength of schedule is 27th in 6A. They probably will not be #1 in any formula driven ranking even if they win the state title.

The good news this week is Central Hardin's SOS is even worse.

The even better news is KHSAA RPI puts less value on true SOS so it is more favorable to Bullitt East. They might get a home game next week if they win this week.

How does BE not get a home game if they win tomorrow? What am I missing?

I will also say, I hope @coachhawk doesn't have any plans on bringing Eric Shelton back from Charlotte. He, JT Sr. and their 5,670 yards of offense can stay in 1999! 🤣

I definitely think there is a real respect for the speed and athleticism of the Defenders and Haskins and Green are two of the best athletes we will see this year. Again, special teams will be big this week as McLaughlin proved to be a weapon last week with the touchbacks (even into a 20mph wind!) and drilling the 51-yarder that was probably good from 60-plus. Punter Carter Schwartz will be big this week too, as I've seen 6 punt returns go to the house by the speedy duo. Cutwright also appears to have excellent speed and an arm worthy of taking the top off of most defenses. 

Dixon and Hocker stand out as very good linebackers who have a great nose for the ball. Safety is where Haskins really shines and it's easy to see why he was a first-team All-State pick in the Courier-Journal. He can cover, come up to hit and his leadership back there is evident. As a whole, they don't bring a lot of pressure and that is because they have a lot of smart kids who can fly to the ball.

The Defenders are giving up less than 10 points per game in their 9 wins and scoring almost 45 points on average in those same games. I think this can be a tight game for a bit as both teams get used to the speed of the game and the cold weather. Facing a fantastic athlete in Chase Crone last week will help the Shamrock defense immensely. There are a lot of valid comparisons to Ballard and Male, although I don't think you can necessarily gameplan for what Haskins is capable of based on those two teams. 

@NLTanker1, feel free to supplement our paychecks as needed! The least you could do is advocate for a raise for us! 🤣 I hope one day we can stream the games in our own format but I am not holding my breath anytime soon. We are, however, very grateful for all who listen or stream on 970AM and patronize our sponsors! ☘️

5 minutes ago, theguru said:

Trinity is not the only school that is anti-video and on some level I can understand that.  However, if you are going to do video you should do a quality job.  There is no excuse for the garbage Trinity has been dishing out. 

I don't disagree with you, but it really seems the administration is more invested in enhancing the game day experience at 4011 Shelbyville Road and is content on whatever is produced by NFHS with their manpower. Personally, I would much rather go to a video setting with a telestrator and reading defenses like Tony Romo but hey that's me!  🤣☘️

36 minutes ago, Rock85 said:

I have complained a lot also. You are probably correct about the host schools. In the past, I have watched St X on NFHS as the host school before they moved to YouTube. They had announcers, the score, down and distance, and clock worked fine. No worries.

Every time Trinity is the host to a NFHS game it is just awful. All you get is a bad video feed with no commentary, no score etc etc. It seems like they just mounted a camera to the stadium and that is it. Any Rock insiders know why they won't put forth more effort to make the broadcasts more watchable? Is it a money thing? Do they just want you to listen to it on the radio? RockNation? 

I am grateful that the games have been on at all and hate to rag on my Rocks, but I expect more than I have been getting with the Trinity games. 

 

To be honest, Bob really shunned the idea of video of his games being so widespread for others to capture. When I was on staff, I showed him how easy it was (even 15 years ago) to take video from online repositories and be able to clip it and breakdown. I know that's not a great answer, but I will try to reach out this week to see if there is anything we can do on our end to enhance the experience. Hopefully our friends at Madison Central (and ourselves!) can pull out a win this week and we can have a home game next week for you all to watch!

A few thoughts from my own research so far:

-This is the overall best SK team I have seen to date. I do not remember the '01 game but I was either on staff or broadcasting for the others. The 2008 team was pretty decent I remember but that Rocks team was the culmination of a 4-peat and was maybe the most cohesive group of kids I have been around. And Tim Phillips was the best RB we have had maybe ever.

-Aba Selm #61 is no joke and will be a highly coveted prospect. Kid is outstanding and commands double teams and added attention wherever he is on the field. Very good motor and technically sound with great feet. He will be a great watch against our Mitchell Toney and Nate Tronzo. He is the best Pioneer I have seen since Miles Simpson.  

-Very impressed with Josh Bowling #34 at MLB and FB. Great nose for the ball and really strong tackler. 

-The duo of Crone and Lawson are very effective, but they have not seen a defense like Trinity yet. I do not mean that disparagingly, but I want to see if they can be as effective when they fall behind the chains. To me, this front 7 for the Rocks is as good and deep as 2020 and can make for some very difficult circumstances for the opposing OC. 

-Special Teams could be a big issue. Trinity has probably the best Kicker and Punter in the state and while #37 Andrew Petty seems decent, there is not much to the punting game it appears. Schwartz can get off some absolute bombs and has multiple punts over 60 yards this year. McLaughlin can pull a few kicks, but I'd assume Coach Cobb wouldn't hesitate to let him kick from 55 and in. They also have a top flight snapper in Brady McEnaney who doubles as the best defensive player for Trinity. 

I am looking forward to this game and seeing the SK stadium. Good luck to all the fans and I hope we have a great game!  

3 hours ago, 859Radio said:

A very big thanks to @theguruand BluegrassPreps.com who are so excited about us broadcasting one of the biggest games in the state, they have signed on as a sponsor to help with the KHSAA broadcasting fee!!  We can't thank you enough!!  Thanks to my ad designer Ray Elfers!!  The best in the business!

Don't hesitate to reach out if you need information on Trinity. I will be working the radio for the Rocks and can provide some insight if needed. Good luck with your call!