2016 Snapshot: Simon Kenton

This is Simon Kenton’s time. The program now reloads year after year under coach Jeff Marksberry. Six times in the last eight seasons the Pioneers have won at least 10 games (nine in another season). That includes a school record 13 victories last fall after going 11-2 in ’14 and 12-1 in ’13.

Class after class knows how to and expects to win, week in and week out. Still a state title has been elusive for the Pioneers. This fall, Marksberry’s men might just have the right mix to take the Pioneers to the promise land.

Simon Kenton QB Cameron Racke (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

It all starts at quarterback. Where Cameron Racke is back for his third season under center. He has played in 31 wins during his career at Simon Kenton. “We have leadership and experience at the QB position. Cam has great command of our offense,” Marksberry states. “We return three very good junior offensive linemen and four of our top five receivers are back. We have good depth.”

On defense, the picture is a little more clouded. “We lost some very good players from last year’s team and will be inexperienced on the defensive line. We only return five starters but those five played really well last season,” Marksberry says.

The juniors really need to step up, push the starters and 36 seniors that the Pioneers have on the roster. It is a group that did not see much action as sophomores. Their play could be the difference between Simon Kenton being very good or great.

Class 6A, District 6
2015 RECORD: 13-1 State semifinalist, 2-0 Class 6A, District 6
COACH: Jeff Marksberry (113-75 @ Simon Kenton, 16 years, 113-75 overall)

TOP RETURNEES
Cameron Racke, Sr, QB – Racke has been the starter under center in each of the last two seasons. Simon Kenton has gone a combined 24-3 including a Class 6A final four appearance in that span. He was a 2015 TriState Football Northern Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year finalist. Racke has thrown for more than 1,800 yards in each of the past two seasons and accounted for 64 touchdowns (38 passing, 26 26 rushing) during at the varsity level. He will head into his senior campaign with 1,601 career yards on the ground including having ran for more than 100 yards in three of his last four games (all in the playoffs).

Simon Kenton OL Colton Williams (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Trent Kincaid, Sr, DB – Kincaid was the only junior finalist for the 2015 TriState Football Northern Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year. He has 14 career interceptions.

Colton Williams, Jr, OL – Williams is one of Northern Kentucky’s top players in the Class of 2018. The 6-foot-5, 280 pound lineman already has offers from Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky.

Noah Turner, Jr, OL – The 6-foot-2, 275 pound Turner is one of the Pioneers most physical linemen.

Sam Holt, Jr, OL – A returning starter the 6-foot-1, 265 pound Holt was rock solid in his varsity debut as a sophomore.

Dylan Hampton, Sr, RB – Despite missing the last five games last season Hampton still ran for 535 yards, averaged 7.0/carry and found the end zone 11 times. He will be the Pioneers top option in the rushing attack.

Luke Vance, Sr, WR – Vance had a very productive junior year with 27 receptions for 531 yards and five touchdowns.

Paul Kriedenweis, Sr, WR – One of three Pioneers receivers with five touchdown catches last season. Kriedenweis ended up with 31 receptions and 388 yards.

Tanner Green, Sr, WR – A converted quarterback, Green blossomed at receiver with 28 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdowns in ’15.

Simon Kenton WR Tanner Green (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Brian Carter, Sr, LB – The team’s leading tackler in ’15 with 127 including 13 tackles for losses. Carter is one of the Pioneers leaders on defense.

Markie Rider, Sr, LB – Rider has All-NKFCA talent. He tallied 85 tackles including eight and-a-half tackles for losses and had an interception return for a touchdown as a junior.

Mitchell Kriedenweis, Sr, DL – A proven pass rusher, Kriedenweis had seven and-a-half sacks and 54 tackles in ’15.

Casey Mitchell, Sr, DB – A returning starter Mitchell was in on 55 tackles and had four interceptions in ’15.

NEWCOMERS
Brayden Trattles, Jr, DB/RS – Trattles will slide into the role of returner on special teams. As a defensive back he had three takeaways (two interceptions, one fumble recovery) in 12 games last fall.

Sam Murray, Jr, WR – This could be a break out season for Murray who could find himself in lots of single coverage with all the options that Simon Kenton has at receiver.

Jaren Cooper, Jr, DB – Cooper makes a very good secondary even deeper.

Tanner Mueller, Jr, DL – There are ample opportunities for Mueller to earn plenty of snaps along the d-line.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
Simon Kenton has won at least two playoff games in seven of the last eight seasons. Their combined total of 17 post-season victories in that span is eight more win than they were able to muster during the regular seasons from 2001-04 (9-31, four years).

Simon Kenton LB Brian Carter (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

2016 SCHEDULE
The opponents are the same as last fall. Seven of those teams finished with at least seven wins – Christian Academy (Louisville), Bryan Station, Conner, Highlands, Ryle, Cooper and Scott. Eight Simon Kenton foes won at least one playoff game a year ago. Christian Academy Louisville, Cooper and Scott all finished ’15 at 10-3.

SUPER SENIORS
The Simon Kenton seniors go into this season having gone a combined 24-3 in their first two years at the varsity level. Last season’s graduates, the Class of 2016 had a school record 36 wins in their three campaigns (36-4).

IN ELITE COMPANY
The combined 36 wins by Simon Kenton over the past three season are tied with Scott County for second most in Class 6A during that time frame. Male leads the way with 38 victories in the same span.

PERFECT AGAIN
The Pioneers went undefeated during the regular season for the second time in the past three years last fall. The 2013 team was the first-ever Simon Kenton team to accomplish that feat.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
Simon Kenton has averaged 508.3 points per season over the last three campaigns (38.1/game, 40 games). Nine times in their last 34 contests they have scored 50 points or more. On 12 more occasions the Pioneers have scored 40 or more points during that same period.

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