It’s a wide open race for the Class 5A, District 5 championship in 2026. An inspired Dixie Heights believes it can take that title. The Colonels have some question marks but head coach Patrick Burke feels that this team has the talent to sufficiently fill those voids and become special.
The last time that Dixie Heights had a winning season was 2021. The last time the Colonels won a district crown was 2014. This squad is ready to end the futility and create its own special chapter in the program’s history.
Class 5A, District 5
2025 RECORD: 4-7, 3-2 Class 5A, District 5
COACH: Patrick Burke (15-30 at Dixie Heights, four years; 45-49 overall, nine years)
HONOR ROLL
Brad Roaden, Sr, LB, 6-2/220
2025 Honors: Second Team All-NKY
2025 Stats: 80 Tkls, 4.0 sacks, 10.0 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 103 RuYds, 7 rec. & 68 ReYds
Career Stats: 92 Tkls, 4.0 sacks, 11.0 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 163 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 7 rec. & 68 ReYds
Brian Pantaleon, Sr, OL, 6-0/245
2025 Honors: Second Team All-District
OTHER RETURNEES
Levi Gilliland, Sr, RB/LB, 5-11/200
2025 Stats: 384 RuYds, 4 RuTDs, 3 rec., 31 ReYds, 65 Tkls, 2.0 sacks & 5.0 TFLs
Career Stats: 451 RuYds, 5 RuTDs, 3 rec., 31 ReYds, 93 Tkls, 2.0 sacks, 5.0 TFLs, 1 FF & 1 FR
Henry Waters, Sr, WR/DB, 6-1/178
2025 Stats: 19 rec., 329 ReYds, 3 ReTDs, 16 Tkls & 2 FRs
Parks Vonderhaar, Sr, WR/CB, 6-4/175
2025 Stats: 36 rec., 503 ReYds & 6 ReTDs
Gavin Henson, Sr, QB/DB
2025 Stats: 27 Tkls, 2.0 sacks & 1 FR as jr. / 8 PaYds, 27 RuYds, 1 RuTD & 7 Tkls
Career Stats: 34 Tkls & 2.0 sacks, 1 FR, 15 PaYds, 50 RuYds & 1 RuTD
Charlie Swindeman, Sr, OL/DL, 6-1/210
2025 Stats: 15 Tkls & 1.5 sacks
Leo Wogenstahl, Sr, TE/DE, 6-4
2025 Stats: 5 rec., 82 ReYds & 1 ReTD
Career Stats: 8 rec., 117 ReYds & 2 ReTDs
Easton Niemeyer, Jr, K
2025 Stats: 31/33 XPs, 2/3 FGs for 37 KPts, 8 PaYds, 28 RuYds, 1 RuTD & 9 Tkls
Eric Brown, Jr, RB
2025 Stats: 136 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 1 KRTD & 4 Tkls
NEWCOMERS
Brian Young, Jr, , OL, 6-4/320
Lionel Calhoun, Jr, OL, 6-6/251
Mason Daniels, So, OL/DE, 6-4/215
PLAYOFF HISTORY
State Runner-up (one) – 2014 (6A)
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – SIMON KENTON (6-6 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at Badin (OH) (10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Beechwood (11-2) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – COVINGTON CATHOLIC (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – at Henry Clay (1-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – SCOTT (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Cooper (8-4) – 7:30 PM
Th – 10/08/26 – at Conner (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – BOONE COUNTY (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – BYE
Fri – 10/30/26 – RYLE (10-4) – 7:00 PM
