2023 Snapshot: Dixie Heights

By Greg Shoemaker
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Updated: August 11, 2023

Dixie Heights RB/LB Brach Rice

There is no doubt that Dixie Heights is going to be far better than they were a year ago. The problem is that the Colonels record may not reflect their improvement. The schedule will see the boys from Edgewood face seven schools that won at least twice as many games as they did in 2022. It is going to be an uphill battle but look for this team to instigate the fight every Friday night.

“We are a hard-working team that has great leadership, is focused on playing at a high level and maximizing our potential each-and-every day! We are strong at the skill positions. We are a physical bunch who likes to hit. We will play that brand of football each-and-every week,” head coach Pat Burke states.

Playing with consistency isn’t going to be easy. “We are a relatively young team and lack experiences in some areas,” Burke says. The sooner this team gels the more success they are going to have. It may take a while but by the time the playoffs roll around expect Dixie Heights to be playing its best football. Nobody is going to want to face them in November.

Class 5A, District 6
2022 RECORD: 3-8, 2-2 Class 5A, District 5
COACH: Pat Burke (3-8 at Dixie Heights, one year, 33-27 overall, six years)

HONOR ROLL
Brach Rice, Sr, RB/DE/LB – One of the elite players in Northern Kentucky, Rice is an absolute beast. As a junior, he racked up 126 total tackles, had five sacks, 12.0 tackles for losses, 605 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns (nine rush, one PR). He was named First Team All-NKY (LB), NKY Top 26, Honorable Mention All-TriState Football and TriState Football Northern Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year Finalist for his work. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Rice has verbally committed to Miami (OH).

OTHER RETURNEES
Armani Gregg, Jr, QB – With a year under his belt as a starter look for Gregg to explode in 2023. He amassed 1,494 yards of total offense (915 pass, 579 rush) and accounted for 12 touchdowns (eight pass, four rush) last fall.

Beni Mwamba, Sr, WR/DB – One of the leaders of the defense. Mwamba was in on 31 total tackles in 2022. He has offers from Dartmouth and Thomas More.

Miguel Rodriguez, Sr, S – A real closer in the secondary. Rodriguez had 47 total tackles (34 solo) and an interception as a junior. He has an offer from Thomas More.

NEWCOMERS
Senior transfer (from Princeton/Walton-Verona) ATH Tyson Beach is an accomplished player. The former 2021 Class 2A, District 5 Player of the Year and TriState Football Northern Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year Finalist has 1,603 yards rushing, 22 receptions for 367 yards, 28 touchdowns (20 rush, eight rec), 15 total tackles and three takeaways (one FR, two INTs) in his career. Classmate WR Hudson Blank could be a hidden gem for the Colonels. Junior RB David Anderson ran for 299 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. He will split carries with sophomore RB LJ Mutongwiza who lettered as a freshman.

Dixie Heights ATH Tyson Beach (while at Princeton)(photo by Autumn Duncan/TriStateFootball.com)

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Simon Kenton (8-4 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Hughes (OH) (6-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – Beechwood (14-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – COVINGTON CATHOLIC (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – BYE – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – BOONE COUNTY (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – HIGHLANDS (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Th – 10/05/23 – at Conner (2-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – SCOTT (4-7) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – at Cooper (6-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/27/23 – RYLE (6-6) – 7:30 PM