2024 Snapshot: Simon Kenton

A frustrating finish to the 2023 season saw Simon Kenton drop its final three battles, all by seven points or less. The team ended the year at .500 after a promising 5-2 start. The Pioneers went 1-4 in games decided by a touchdown or less over the final eight weeks, a year ago. With a proven group of returning players this squad is out to show that they know how to close the deal and avenge those defeats.

The offense had little trouble moving the ball up and down the field while putting points on the board at a rate of 35.2 per game, last fall. Simon Kenton loses some explosive skill position players off that team but there are able bodies waiting in the wings to replace that productivity. With quarterback Brady Lee leading the way we expect that the unit will be entertaining, once again.

Keeping opponents out of the end zone will be a major focal point this offseason for Simon Kenton. The defense allowed 32.8 points per game and gave up 36 points or more on five occasions in 2023. The linebackers and defensive backs will be an area of strength for the Pioneers. They will be looking to create more turnovers and get the defense off the field.

How well Simon Kenton performs in the trenches will be key to its success. “We are inexperienced and unproven on both the offensive and defensive lines,” head coach Roy Lucas states. Lucas and his staff are going to be leaning on some youngsters to step up and answer the call. If they come through, the Pioneers are going to be a handful to deal with especially as the season wears on.

Class 6A, District 6
2023 RECORD: 5-5, 2-1 Class 6A, District 6
COACH: Roy Lucas Jr. (21-31 at Simon Kenton, five years, 82-97 overall, 16 years)

HONOR ROLL
Grayson Harris, Jr., WR/P – An impact player on offense and special teams. Harris led the Pioneers in receptions and receiving yards as a sophomore. He had 59 catches for 654 yards and a pair of scores. Harris was also named Division I First All-NKY as a punter.

Simon Kenton WR Grayson Harris (photo by: Chris Granger/X: @regnargc)

OTHER RETURNEES
Brady Lee, Sr, QB – With all the great performances by Northern Kentucky quarterbacks in 2023, Lee’s accomplishments kind of got buried in the headlines. In his first year as the Pioneers starter under center, Lee threw for 2,245 yards, ran for 442 yards and accounted for 29 touchdowns (17 pass, 12 rush). He is heart-and-soul of the Pioneers offense.

Simon Kenton QB Brady Lee (photo by: Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Preston McCauley, Sr, OL – A returning starter and anchor up front. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound McCauley helped pave the way for a balanced Simon Kenton offensive attack that racked up a massive 449.9 yards of total offense (231.1 pass, 218.8 rush) per game in 2023.

Sam Miller, Sr, OL – A leader and anchor on an o-line that opened the gates for 49 offensive touchdowns (31 rush, 18 pass) a year ago. The coaching staff expects that Miller will be an impact player as a senior.

Aven Bohms, Sr, LB – The leader of the defense. Bohms recorded a team best 96 total tackles with two sacks and four tackles for losses in 2023.

Hayden Blair, Sr, DB – A Key member of the secondary. Blair was in on 47 total tackles in his first season as a starter.

Simon Kenton LB Hayden Blair (photo by: Chris Granger/X: @regnargc)

Landon Brown, Jr, LB – It was a breakout sophomore campaign for Brown who has a tremendous upside. He tallied 83 total tackles, had three sacks, six tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was also a short yardage specialist on offense with three touchdowns on 21 carries for 81 yards.

Colton Farfsing, Jr, DB – Another returning starter in what should be a very good Pioneers defensive backfield. Farfsing had 17 total tackles as a sophomore.

Tucker Ober, Jr, LB/DB – A player who can fill a myriad of roles and be productive at any position he is inserted into. For his career, Ober has run for 254 yards, thrown for 160 yards, accounted for five touchdowns (three pass, two rush) with 34 total tackles, three tackles for losses and a fumble recovery.

Simon Kenton LB/DB/QB Tucker Ober (photo by: Chris Granger/X: @regnargc)

Brayden Schoborg, Jr, LB/DE – Expect Schoborg to emerge as one of the top pass rushers in NKY over the next two seasons. He recorded 43 total tackles, with four sacks, six tackles for losses and an interception as a sophomore.

Tysin Weaver, So, WR – One of the rising stars in the Class of 2027. Weaver is a big play threat who averaged 22.3 yards on 27 receptions (607 receiving yards) and found the end zone eight times (six rec, two rush) as a freshman. It’s only a matter of time before Weaver starts seeing offers come his way.
Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2027

Charles Oglesby, So, RB – Will get his fair shot at becoming the teams go-to-guy out of the backfield this offseason. Oglesby ran for 96 yards and a touchdown as a freshman.

Stuart Campbell, So, DL – The coaching staff is really looking for Campbell and Snyder to step up and emerge as forces along the d-line. Campbell played in all 10 games and had eight total tackles and one tackle for a loss as a freshman.

Paul Snyder, So, DL – Will be part of a young defensive line that gets to show they can star under the Friday night lights. Snyder did appear in eight games as a freshman.

NEWCOMERS
A pair of sophomores, LB/DB Jack Giordano and QB Kyle King are chomping at the bit to make their presence felt at the varsity level. Giordano had eight tackles in five games as a freshman.

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – DIXIE HEIGHTS (5-7 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – vs. Mercer County (10-2) at Woodford County – 6:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at Covington Catholic (14-1) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – BEECHWOOD (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – CONNER (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR (3-8)– 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – BYE
Fri – 10/11/24 – at GREAT CROSSING (2-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – at Campbell County (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – RYLE (8-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 11/01/24 – ASHLAND BLAZER (10-2) – 7:30 PM

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