21 teams in 21 days: Ludlow football preview

The administration showed its commitment to the Ludlow football program in the offseason implementing a red turf at James Rigney Memorial Stadium.

Now the Ludlow Panthers hope to reward the school and community with improved play on the field. Assistant Woody McMillen was promoted to head coach when Greg Taphouse stepped down after six seasons with the team.

McMillen, who also serves as the head baseball coach and co-Athletic Director at the school, brings head coaching experience to the program. He started the program at Walton-Verona, then spent some time as head coach at Bellevue.

“We all love (the turf) so far,” said Matthew Engel, Ludlow senior. “It’s a lot better than the grass we’ve been practicing on. It’s nice to be able to practice on turf and get used to it. It’s a lot easier on injuries. It’s not like normal turf.”

Ludlow showed plenty of promise between 2017-19, posting three straight eight-win seasons, winning opening-round playoff games in 2018 and 2019. But the Panthers have gone 11-21 over the last three years, including a 4-7 mark last year that finished with a road playoff loss at Frankfort in the first round.

Ludlow graduated 10 seniors from last year’s team. The biggest loss to graduation is the versatile Jaxson Rice. Rice led Ludlow in rushing and passing in addition to recording a team-high six interceptions at defensive back.

But the Panthers have a big senior class of 13 players bolstered along on the lines. Seniors Kaleb Durain, Corbin Herald, Dustin Jones and Elias Kay lead the way on both lines. Engel and junior Matt Brock hope to make an impact on the offensive line and at linebacker. McMillen said the offensive line is one of the team’s strengths.

“We have a lot of leadership there, a lot of experience,” McMillen said. “We really look for those guys to set the tone up front for our offense and on defense as well. We have some good younger players that are coming along there, too. I think we have an opportunity to have a real good season.”

McMillen said the Panthers will display a number of looks offensively and defensively. Sophomore Jackson Mays will take over at quarterback and play some weakside linebacker on defense. The leading returning rusher is sophomore Dameyn Anness, who ran for 492 yards on 58 carries and four touchdowns. The leading returning wide receiver is senior Ethan Powell, who caught 14 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns last year.

“I do like the chemistry. There is a lot of camaraderie,” McMillen said. “I feel like there is more we than me out of this group, which is good because football is the ultimate team game. I think we got these guys on the same page hopefully playing with one heartbeat going into the season.”

Anness will play linebacker on defense and Powell will be a defensive back. Anness is also the leading returning tackler with 99 tackles and a team-high three sacks.

McMillen said the goal is to be balanced offensively. The Panthers averaged just more than 207 yards on the ground and just below 126 through the air last year. Senior Breckin Ralston and junior Spencer Bradenburg hope to help spread the field. Junior Byron Conley could run the ball and play defensive back.

“It was definitely tough at first because it’s a whole new offense for everybody,” Ralston said. “It took some time to get the plays and formations down. But we’re definitely getting there. It’s working pretty well so far.”

McMillen has philosophies for improving the Panthers defense this year after surrendering 27.8 points per game last season.

“On defense, I think it’s important to keep it simple, keep guys flying to the ball and make adjustments here and there,” McMillen said. “You don’t want to coach the aggression out of the player. Usually the team that blocks and tackles better wins.”

Ludlow is once again in Class 1A, District 4. But the opponents are Trimble County, Bishop Brossart and Holy Cross instead of Dayton, Bellevue and Newport Central Catholic. Dayton and Bellevue are still on the schedule as non-district opponents.

The first game on the new turf is Aug. 18 against Lockland (Ohio) at 7:30 p.m.

Schedule