2024 Snapshot: Conner

Conner has finished under .500 in four of the last five years. The Cougars are trying to avoid three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2005-07. With that as motivation, the 2024 team motto is “break the narrative.” Head coach Dave Trosper believes this hard-working squad is more than capable of leading the program out of its funk and back into prosperity.

The offense will be an entertaining outfit to watch. The o-line is a veteran group that has played many snaps together. The quarterback is an underrated commodity who is one of two players in the Conner backfield with more than 750 yards rushing.

The defense needs to do a better job of keeping the opposition out of the end zone and creating turnovers. The Cougars wilted down the stretch a year ago allowing 43.2 points over the final six tilts. The secondary only snared three interceptions all season. Trosper does have concerns about experience at the linebacker position. That core needs to grow up fast. If Conner can figure out a way to stop foes from getting into the second level of the defense and create more three-and-outs, this will be a vastly improved unit.

The schedule only has four teams on it that finished with winning records in 2023. The Cougars must take advantage of the opportunities when they face schools that they should beat (on paper). Do that and Conner will be rewriting its story and on track to become one of Northern Kentucky’s top program’s once again.

Conner Head Coach Dave Trosper (photo by Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)

Class 5A, District 6
2023 RECORD: 5-6, 2-3 Class 5A, District 6
COACH: Dave Trosper (104-89 at Conner, 17 years, 117-116 overall, 21 years)

HONOR ROLL
Dylan Stewart, Sr, OL/DL – The anchor and the heart-and-soul of the Cougars offensive line. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Stewart was named NKFCA Division II All-NKY and Third Team All-TriState Football as a junior. He has offers from Eastern Michigan, Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Army and Air Force.

Andrew Herron, Sr, K/P – A special teams star with his thunderous foot. Herron was a NKFCA Division II All-NKY selection a year ago. He has connected on 43/44 extra points and 5/10 field goals in his career.

OTHER RETURNEES
Wyatt Hatfield, Sr, QB – One of the most underrated players in Northern Kentucky. Hatfield amassed 1,610 yards of total offense (869 pass, 741 rush) and accounted for 21 touchdowns (13 rush, eight pass) as a junior, his first year as a starter.

Conner QB Wyatt Hatfield (photo by Chris Granger / X: @regnargc)

Dion Abernathy, Jr, RB – All signs point to Abernathy having a big year. He ran for 553 yards and eight scores as a sophomore. Don’t be surprised if he doubles those numbers in each of the next two seasons.

Boden Roberts, Sr, OL/DL – One of the Cougars leaders up front. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Roberts has All-NKY talent. He was in on 22 total tackles and had a sack in 2023.

Riley Marsh, Sr, OL – Like Roberts, Marsh has All-NKY talent. The 6-foot-0, 260-pound Marsh is a vital cog up front for the Cougars. Conner will lean on him heavily as a senior.

Brayton Haaser, Sr, OL/DL – A steady and dependable performer in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Haaser has 51 total tackles in his career.

Gavin Freese, Sr, OL – A returning starter on an o-line that helped Conner average 263.7 yards of total offense per game, a year ago.

Chase Caplinger, Sr, slot – A perfect fit for Conner in the slot. Cap’s game is all about getting the ball in his hands and let him work his magic in open spaces. He had 18 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown as a junior.

Chase Bailey, Sr, TE – Look for Bailey to be a bigger factor in the passing game, giving Hatfield more options to work with. Bailey had six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in six games last season.

Elliot Bucher, Sr, WR – Out of all the Cougars offensive players Bucher is the one with the biggest breakout potential in 2024. He has run for 157 yards, with 19 receptions for 206 yards and 42 total tackles in two years at the varsity level.

NEWCOMERS
Trosper and his coaching staff believe a trio of sophomores OL/DL Coleton Nagy, TE/LB Henry Krallman and WR/DB Cam Correll can step in and contribute immediately. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Nagy has a tremendous upside and could play his way into being a Division I prospect this fall.

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – at Paul Lawrence Dunbar (3-8 in 2023) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – RYLE (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – LAFAYETTE (2-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – at Newport Central Catholic (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – at Simon Kenton (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – SCOTT (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – at Cooper (12-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at Dixie Heights (5-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – HIGHLANDS (12-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – BOONE COUNTY (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 11/01/24 – BYE

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