2025 Snapshot: Bellevue
- Updated: June 17, 2025
Bellevue ATH Tristan Woodyard (photo from X: @t_woodyard1)
It has been 11 years since Bellevue finished above .500. With nine starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that went 5-5 in 2024 the Tigers are primed to put an end to the program’s decade long battle with futility.
Bellevue went 7-5 in 2014, the last of four seasons in a row with that mark. Since then the Tigers have gone a combined 28-78 (.259 winning %) and just 12-50 (.193 winning %) over the past six campaigns.
Head coach Chad Montgomery who begins his third season at the helm, chimes in on why the optimism and expectations are so high. “We only lost one senior from last year. We did lose our top statistical player in Jordan Pendleton, an All-NKY player in 2024 to Simon Kenton, but we return a lot of experience. Our entire offensive line are all three-year starters.”
Like most small schools, more often than not success is predicated on staying healthy. “We won’t have much depth. We have numbers but not a lot of inexperience after our 11 seniors,” Montgomery says.
The schedule is set up for Bellevue to have a great start to the first half of the season. A 6-1 start is more than feasible and a realistic goal. The last five weeks are much tougher versus three schools that won eight or more games in 2024 but it is when we are going to find out what great strides this program has made under Montgomery.
Look for this squad to be feeling confident and really knowing who they are by the time the regular season concludes. The Tigers will have a defined personality by then. Bellevue will be an uncomfortable matchup for foes in the playoffs.
Class 1A, District 3
2024 RECORD: 5-5, 1-2 Class 1A, District 3
COACH: Chad Montgomery (9-12 at Bellevue, two years)
TOP RETURNEES
Tristan Woodyard, Sr, ATH – No matter where Woodyard lines up, on either side of the ball, he will be a menace for the opposition to deal with. He has 105 tackles, five interceptions, two-pick sixes, 1,178 yards passing, 453 yards rushing, 244 yards receiving on 14 receptions and 21 touchdowns (nine pass, six rush, four rec, two IRs) in his career.
Arion Stuckey, Sr, OL/DL – If you don’t know this stud, you should. The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Stuckey, will be one of Northern Kentucky’s most dominant forces in the trenches this fall. He emerged on defense as a junior with 40 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
Bellevue Linemen Arion Stuckey (78) and Patrick Vogt (photo from X: @Derrick712698)
Pat Vogt, Sr, OL/DL – Already a consistent staple on the o-line, Vogt made an impact on the d-line last fall, as well. He had 32 tackles and a pair of sacks.
Kayne Ross, Sr, DB – A standout performer in the Tigers secondary the past two seasons. Ross has 112 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception at the varsity level.
Amari Rodgers, Sr, OL/DL – Look for Rodgers to have a very productive senior campaign. He has 36 tackles and two fumble recoveries at the varsity level. Those numbers could more than double in 2025.
Bellevue Linemen Amari Rodgers (63) and Derrick Fortner (71) (photo from X: @Derrick712698)
Derrick Fortner, Sr, OL/DL – One of the team leaders. Fortner had a breakout year on defense with 63 tackles, six sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
State Champion (two) – 1979 (1A) & 1977 (1A)
State Runner-up (four) – 1990 (1A), 1976 (1A), 1981 (1A) & 1980 (1A)
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – at Trimble County (0-11 in 2024) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at Nicholas County (5-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Pendleton County (2-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – ST. HENRY DISTRICT (N/A) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – IROQUOIS (2-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – LUDLOW (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – BYE
Fri – 10/10/25 – at Dayton (2/9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – at Newport (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Th – 10/23/25 – NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/31/25 – HOLY CROSS (3-8) – 7:00 PM
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