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2022 Snapshot: Conner

Conner RB/DB Alijah Thompson (photo by James Bates/TriStateFootball.com)

Playing in arguably the most competitive and challenging districts in Class 5A in Kentucky, Conner’s success under head coach Dave Trosper often gets overlooked. The Cougars have had just three losing campaigns in the last 11 years (one of those was going 3-4 in the Covid shortened 2020 season). They have won seven or more games in the other eight seasons during that span.

Trosper will have his hands full trying to muster another winning year in 2022. “We are hard-working but lack experience,” he states. Only two players on the roster have ever found the end zone in a varsity game – Alijah Thompson (15 TDs) and Terry Phillips (two TDs). No Cougar has played in more than 20 varsity contests.

Getting off to a good start won’t be easy but it would go a long way in boosting this young teams confidence. Conner will face Ryle, Dixie Heights and Scott in Weeks 2-4. Those teams combined for 24 victories a year ago. The Cougars will need to be mentally tough and able to brush off the setbacks for this to be another fruitful campaign. If anyone can get them into that state of mind, Trosper would be the man.

Class 5A, District 5
2021 RECORD: 7-5, 2-2 Class 5A, District 5
COACH: Dave Trosper (97-74 at Cooper, 15 years, 110-101 overall, 20 years)

TOP RETURNEES
Alijah Thompson, Sr, RB/WR/DB – One of the top players in Northern Kentucky. Thompson ran for 820 yards, found the end zone 13 times (12 rush, one rec), had 42 total tackles and four takeaways (three FRs, one INT) on his way to First Team All-NKY (DB) honors as a junior. He has eight takeaways in his career (five INTs, three FRs).

Terry Phillips, WR/DB – Will play a much larger role on both sides of the ball as a senior. Phillips was second on the team with 14 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown as a junior.

Conner WR/DB Terry Phillips (photo from Connerfootball.com)

Grant Reece, Sr, OL/DL – The Cougars leader in the trenches. Reece tallied 35 total tackles, had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2021.

Ben Fay, Jr, WR/TE/OLB – Had an excellent first year as a starter, last fall. Fay recorded 40 total tackles and had a sack.

2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/19/22 – at Henry Clay (1-10 in 2021) – 6:00 PM
Fri – 08/26/22 – RYLE (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/02/22 – DIXIE HEIGHTS (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/09/22 – SCOTT (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/16/22 – at Campbell County (1-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/23/22 – BOONE COUNTY (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/30/22 – HIGHLANDS (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/07/22 – at Cooper (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/14/22 – BYE
Fri – 10/21/22 – at Covington Catholic (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/28/22 – at George Rogers Clark (3-9) – 7:30 PM

 

 

 

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