Conner’s 2022 football season was as painful as a blindsided sack. The Cougars task for 2023 is challenging: recovering from last year’s 2-9 campaign, a season in which the Cougars scored just 90 points – the second fewest in Class 5A – and surrendered 349. Head coach David Trosper said every season is a challenge. […]
Author Archives: Ray Schaefer
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21 teams in 21 days: Campbell County football preview
Campbell County second-year head football coach Brian Weinrich was as much a student as his players last year. The Camels finished 4-7 in 2022 and fell to Louisville Trinity in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs – and a lot better than the 1-10 in 2021. “Each year’s a new year … whatever […]
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NewCath hopes to end losing streak to Highlands in 36th District boys soccer
At least the Highlands and Newport Central Catholic boys soccer teams always know the first week of their postseason plans. The Bluebirds (14-5-3 in 2022) and Thoroughbreds (14-6-2) automatically advance to the Ninth Region tournament from the 36th District – Newport, Bellevue and Dayton have never fielded a team. “It is a bit nice to know […]
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36th District girls soccer preview: Highlands returns 10 starters from ’22 Ninth Region title team
It’s not a stretch if you think Highlands is heavily favored to win its eighth straight 36th District girls soccer crown. Considering the Bluebirds a logical choice seems solid for at least three reasons. The Bluebirds (15-7-3 in 2022) are also the defending Ninth Region champions. Last year’s title – the program’s fourth since 2018 – […]
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21 teams in 21 days: Boone County football preview
Boone County head football coach Bryson Warner had just seen a Rebel defensive back knock down a pass, and he was overjoyed. “That’s the way to compete!” Warner hollered during a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage July 25 at Covington Catholic. “That’s what we’re looking for!” Warner and the Rebels (3-7 last year) seek something much more […]
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Conner’s Mike Hughes, ‘anybody could win’ girls 33rd District soccer title
Cooper girls soccer coach Scott Hughes said Conner is the favorite to win the 33rd district “based upon everybody that I’ve seen who I know they have coming back.” “And of course, Mike (Conner head coach Mike Hughes) does a terrific job with getting his girls ready early on and playing through the season and being […]
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21 teams in 21 days: Newport Central Catholic football preview
It was near the end of a Wednesday morning practice when sixth-year Newport Central Catholic head football coach Stephen Lickert took the dare. Senior lineman Jacob Sullivan had challenged Lickert, a former running back at Highlands, to a race. It didn’t go well – Lickert came to his office with ice on his right thigh. […]
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33rd District boys soccer preview: Ryle a boys soccer dynasty? Collins says not yet
Don’t you dare use the d-word to describe Ryle’s boys soccer team. Raiders coach Stephen Collins begins his 19th season on the sidelines. He said calling his team a dynasty in Northern Kentucky – or anywhere else – is just, well, wrong, especially because Louisville St. Xavier has won 15 state titles, including 11 since 2000. […]
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21 teams in 21 days: Lloyd Memorial football preview
Lloyd Memorial football coach Kyle Niederman has a different way of measuring football success – a five-year plan. To be sure, the Juggernauts were one of Northern Kentucky’s strongest teams a year ago: a 10-4 record and a Class 2A state semifinal berth for the first time since 2003. Niederman, meanwhile, thought the Northern Kentucky […]
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Vinson, NKU teammates bring hoops heaven
Gracie Beimesche said former Kentucky men’s basketball player Jacob Toppin is her favorite Wildcat because “he’s tall like me.” Cole Taylor, meanwhile, prefers football. “But I also like basketball,” he said. “My dad, my grandpa and a bunch of my relatives played football.” Beimesche and Taylor were two of at least 50 children in grades […]