St. Matthews Boy

7-7 end of the first quarter. Trinity with a long TD pass from Zane Johnson late in the quarter to tie it up.

Agree biggest need for X. In the games I saw of X, which included the two Trinity meetings, their success down low and on the boards was a big factor.

Looks like this scrimmage will be live streamed by Springfield via Hudl TV Link: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/oh/springfield/organization/8067/springfield-high-school/schedule?date=2025-08-03T04%3A00%3A00.000Z&range=Week&s=U2NoZWR1bGVFbnRyeVB1YmxpY1N1bW1hcnk2ODBmODdmMTE1NzJlMjc4MDdiYzJkMDA%3D

The Trinity Shamrocks will make the trip north on Saturday, August 9th for an 11:30 am scrimmage against the Wildcats of Springfield (Ohio) who are coached by Maurice Douglas who played at UK before an 11-year stint in the NFL. The Wildcats went 6-5 last fall and fell in the first round of the playoffs. They were the DI state runner-up to St. Edward in both 2022 and 2023. The Shamrocks come in as the two-time defending 6A champions and beginning the quest for state title number 30. A lot of familiar faces are back for Coach Jay Cobb and the Shamrocks, including two-year starting QB Zane Johnson, as well as a plethora of other impact players all over the field. Should be interesting to see how Trinity looks in this scrimmage. Not sure how it will operate but usually have seen these go where they play two or maybe three quarters running live but controlled. Another quarter, or a specified timed period, will be controlled reps with the backups and JV guys.

Trinity had three guys on the roster for Louisville's alumni team but only two actually suited up - Jay Scrubb ('18) and David Johnson ('19). Raymond Spalding ('15) I don't believe was able to make it. Trinity has had, I believe, 15 players play DI since 2004-ish. And upwards for 40 now (I believe) play in college. A lot of talent you could pick from.

Dead period is over and as I'm sitting here looking at the calendar, we only have five more Fridays before the Trinity Shamrocks strap on the pads for real and open the 2025 season!!! Trinity enters the 2025 season as the reigning back-to-back champs in 6A and looking to capture that heralded 30th overall state title. Here’s a look at the Rocks’ schedule: 8/9 - Scrimmage vs Springfield (Ohio) 8/22 vs PRP 8/29 vs Frederick Douglass 9/5 at Moeller (Ohio) 9/12 vs Carmel (Ind.) 9/19 at Male 9/26 vs St. Xavier (at Cardinal Stadium) 10/3 at Cincinnati St. Xavier (Ohio) 10/10 at Ballard 10/17 vs Eastern 10/24 vs Oldham County Trinity has had many young stars come to the forefront over the past two seasons who are now juniors. That heralded class includes two-year starting QB Zane Johnson, RB JB Berry, as well as WRs Jason Hagan and Nation Roe-McBroom, and others. While I’ve heard of some guys being “banged up” in the spring and summer among that offensive core, there still has to be much confidence in what the Rocks can do on that side of the ball. Not to mention is senior OL Nate Shields, a the rest of that O-Line, stays healthy for a full year. Also very excited about the D-line once again. Sebastian Blue, Keandre Thompson, and Jahbarri Frost the headlining names back after strong sophomore and junior seasons in ’24. Myles Howez and Sonny Bratcher-Gray looking to be the leaders in the DB room. Watch out for Elijah Burns-Crump, as well. What do I expect from the Shamrocks in 2025? Well, as always, it is a championship or bust mentality on Shelbyville Rd.

Seemed to have a window there for a minute but with all the talent exiting the program over the past year it sure looks like it.

Trinity vs St. Xavier and Male vs Manual will always be No. 1 and 2 in my mind. Am excited to see DeSales-Holy Cross come back this fall after a six-year hiatus. Hope it stays on the schedule. All-time it's a 20-15 series lead favoring DeSales and the Colts won each of the last eight meetings (2011-2018).

Jayden Johnson transferring from Trinity to Wasatch Academy (Utah). Johnson was a top-three scorer for the Shamrocks each of the past three seasons. Having just recently played in the KY/IN Jr All-Star Game, the highly-recruited SG averaged 14 points per game this past season. A MAJOR loss for Trinity. https://www.instagram.com/p/DK4_pXKJ7PU/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

What a game!!! The Rocks get state championship No. 2. And it was Caleb Ricks sealing the deal, just as he did with a pick six for the football Rocks in December.

Rocks headed back to the title game for the first time since 2021. Riding high off a greaT day from sophomore pitcher Gray Davis with a no-hitter.

PRP looked damn good this afternoon.

I'd have to go with the Shamrocks as the favorite. But looking at PRP, McCracken, Lyon County, Taylor County, and Sayre probably the next best five. And two of four of those teams make up first round games in Lyon County-McCracken and Taylor County Sayre. Should be an exciting tournament.

Was a very hot start from the Rocks as they built a 2-0 lead in the first. Had to hang on late but they boys are headed back to state for a second consecutive season. Will face Meade County (3rd region champion) in the first round next Thursday.

Looks like Boone had been on staff as an assistant for six years at his alma mater. Looks to be a good hire for the Royals.

Barely two months on the job. Wow!

Big move for Riley to leave OC and head east to CAL in Louisville. He goes from maybe the toughest district in the 3rd region to the toughest in the 7th region, which is hands down the best overall in the state in some years. Will be interesting to see who gets this job. Should be an attractive spot.

Getting things rolling in the offseason in the sixth region. As always, changes will happen between now and the end of summer. Coaching Changes: Iroquois (TBD), Louisville Holy Cross (Norman Ellis, elevated from assistant) Early contenders in the region for 2025-26: Jeffersontown - Reigning regional champs, the Chargers used the return of Cam McDaniels to help them down the stretch and ultimately knock out 7th region champ and big Sweet 16 favorite St. Xavier in the first round of the state tournament. McDaniels is gone and so is Prince Kahnplaye. But still was some really good underclassmen talent on that roster including leading scorer Dayvonne Harrison (16.8 PPG). Larron Westmoreland and Damere Clark were top five scorers as a sophomore and junior. Moreland was also a top rebounder on the team. Butler - Kevin Geary has done a really nice job building this Bears program over the past four seasons. The Bears were impressive last season and gave J-Town all they could in the sixth region final. Forward Michale Jones is the biggest loss to graduation as he was the team's leading rebounder (193, 6.2 pg) and second-leading scorer. Adrian Wilder (14.7 PPG), Henrich Barjolo (11.1 PPG) were both juniors and top three scorers with Wilder leading the squad. Both were solid from behind the arc as well. Should be a lot of talent, some experienced and som not so much, returning for the Bears. Fairdale - In year one of the Michael Stinnett era, the Bulldogs were very young with three of their top scorers, as well as two of their top rebounders being sophomores. That included Ferlandas Wright who averaged 18 per game and put up over 500 points while shooting 60% on the year. Classmate Michael Ray Stinnett, coach's son, was 43% from downtown. How much can the Bulldogs progress next season? PRP - The Panthers fell 42-43 to Butler in the sixth region semifinals. Will be a younger team in 25-26 with seven seniors graduating after last year. Neyco Jenkins was very good as a sophomore and could be a leader and the face of PRP next year.

The Mustangs went 9-3 overall and 2-1 in district play last season in 2024 under first-year head coach Adam Kozerski. Brossart lost in the second round of ythe 1A playoffs to Newport Central Catholic. Brossart's starting QB Tyler Holtz, leading rusher Cameron Mandel, and top two tacklers in Shane Willike and aforementioned Mandel all graduate. 400-plus yard receivers in Issac Amin and Nicholas Cozzi were junior. So was kicker Max Runge. Cozzi also led the team in INTs. District stays the same as it has been for over a decade with Brossart being aligned with Covington Holy Cross, Ludlow, and Trimble County. Has been favorable in recent history as the Mustangs have handled Trimble (in year's when they've had a team - 2010, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024), have a five-game win steak vs Holy Cross, and have split each of the last four vs Ludlow. 2025 Schedule, per MaxPreps: 8/8 vs Boone County - Scrimmage 8/15 at Scott - Scrimmage 8/22 at Walton-Verona 8/29 vs Sayre 9/12 vs Bracken County 9/19 vs Nicholas County 10/10 vs Holy Cross (district) 10/17 at Ludlow (district) 10/24 at Trimble County (district) 10/30 vs Pendleton County

Completely forgot about that. So mark that down as another loss for X.

Bethlehem enters year two of the Tim Mattingly era in 2025. The Eagles went 5-6 overall and 0-3 in district play last season. In a tough district with KCD, Holy Cross (Lou.) and Campbellsville. Jack Bradley threw for 1,380 yards and 17 TDs as a sophomore last spring. He also threw 11 INTs. How does he progress? Leading rusher Ryan West, leading receiver (by over 600 yards) Nicholas Osborne, and leading tackler Garrett Lanham must all be replaced.

Here's a look at Scott County and Great Crossing since 2019-20, which was the first year for GC. Great Crossing 2019-20: 14-17, lost in first round of district vs Frankfort 2020-21: 11-12, lost in first round of district vs Franklin County 2021-22: 27-7, district champs, lost in region semis vs Henry Clay 2022-23: 28-6, district champs, lost in region semis vs Lexington Catholic 2023-24: 36-2, district champs, 11th region champs, lost in Sweet 16 semis vs Lyon County 2024-25: 35-4, district champs, 11th region champs, state champions Scott County 2019-20: 19-16, district champs, 11th region champs, Sweet 16 Cancelled 2020-21: 8-11, lost in first round of district vs Henry Clay 2021-22: 10-18, lost in second round of district vs Henry Clay 2022-23: 11-22, district champs, lost in first round of region vs GC 2023-34: 8-22, lost in first round of district vs Sayre 2024-25: 6-21, lost first round of district vs Sayre Totals Great Crossing: 151-48, two Sweet 16 trips, one state title Scott County: 62-110, one Sweet 16 berth In the series between the two, GC leads 8-2. Scott County has clearly regressed as a program and has been playing second fiddle to the Warhawks recently. The Cardinals have also dropped to the bottom of their district with the likes of Frederick Douglass being the top teams recently. We shall see is Sean Woods can indeed bring some success back to this once proud program.

Let’s get things started off with the seventh region this offseason. Most certainly expect some changes, but here’s just a little two sense at the moment. Coaching Changes: Eastern (Jeff Morrow from Iroquois), Christian Academy-Louisville (TBD), KCD (TBD). Potential 2025-26 Contenders: St. Xavier - the reigning regional champs graduate just two impact players from last year in Chance Dillingham and Will Hanke. Dillingham led the team in 3 pointers while Hanke was the Tigers’ main presence inside and especially on the boards. Tigers will need to fill those big holes left by the exit of those two pieces. Leading scorer Jeremiah Jackson is back and may be the best athlete on the team again. Jackson and Chief Cameron both had over 300 points in 24-25. Young guns Brandon Days and Josh Lindsey, who were sophomore and freshman last year, are names to watch for certain with the Tigers. Trinity - Shamrocks were the runner-up this past season and had a very up and down year. Big man Junius Edmonds is the biggest loss amongst a five-man senior class. Guards Lance Chandler, Avery Frasher, and Josiah Lawson are also gone and we’re all in the rotation last year. Star Jayden Johnson will be a senior - was the leading scorer. Garrison Gilvin came on strong as a sophomore, scoring 315 points and taking over in some instances. Also keep your eyes on big man Thomas Hornek as well as guard Xavier Cosby. Could have big senior seasons. Male - Cole Edelen returns for his senior season after a junior campaign where he missed time to a foot injury. He’s arguably the best shooter in the region. Jordan Mitchell has a TON of upside after a strong freshman season. Must replace C Keyshawn Jordan, as well as PF Jason Gasaway. Manual - the Crimson have been strong but will need to replace each of their top three scorers from last season. That includes their backcourt duo of Coleman and Decker. Noah Smith is also gone. Manual had a fairly large sophomore class. Which, if any, of those guys step up? Ballard - The Bruins were improved this past season, winning 20 games. Ballard especially improved as the season went along. Gave X one heck of a test in the LIT. How does year three of the Willis era go for the Bruins? Eastern - Morrow has been successful before at multiple stops with Iroquois being his last. How does his first year at Eastern go? Can the Eagles seriously contend with the big dogs?

Folks around the game in Louisville will know that for years it has been said that Rondo wanted to get into HS coaching after playing. Now how serious that is, I have no idea.

Bullitt Central and Bullitt East opened brand new all turf fields this spring.