21 teams in 21 days: Conner football preview

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.

“You’re coaching 15 to 18-year-olds,” Trosper said. “What more of a challenge is that?”

Conner gained 1,191 rushing yards but only 546 passing. Trosper said the goal is balanced offense.

“We’ve got some experience on both sides of the ball,” Trosper said. “I won’t say that we’re veteran because we are junior-dominated, but we do have some experience up front. We’re returning three offensive linemen.”

The quarterback situation is almost by committee – senior Elian Ruzindana and junior Wyatt Hatfield could split the snaps – Trosper isn’t sure about the percentages.

“Wyatt brings a lot of different things to it; he can run it and throw it,” Trosper said. “Elian is learning the portion of being able to throw it more; he’s not known as a quarterback, but he’s known as a real skilled athlete.”

Ruzindana doesn’t have a favorite position.

“I like playing football,” Ruzindana said. “Any side of the ball is fine.”

Ruzindina is not your basic five-step drop in the pocket quarterback.

“I like to move around a lot and just try to use my athletic ability to escape,” the 6-foot, 180-pound Ruzindana said.

Hatfield, meanwhile, is willing to stay in the pocket if need be.

“I can stay in the pocket, I can throw in the pocket, but if I can get outside of the pocket and make a play … I can,” Hatfield said.

Ruzindana and Hatfield will also alternate at wide receiver. Senior Ben Fay and junior Chase Bailey are the tight ends.

Senior Emmanuel Ekpe and sophomore Dion Abernathy are the starting running backs.

“They both possess a good amount of speed,” Trosper said. “Emmanuel’s a little bit bigger … Dion’s got the moves inside; he’s a quicker back, he’s got a ton of flexibility.”

Conner brings a hefty yet speedy offensive line. Junior tackle Dylan Stewart stands 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, junior guard Bo Roberts is 6-2 and 265, junior guard Riley Marsh is 6-2 and 275, and senior tackle Gabe Huff is 5-11 and 215. Junior center Gavin Freese is 5-11 and 200.

“We’ve got some quickness, we’ve got some speed, we’ve got some physicality,” Trosper said.

Defense was somewhat concerning last season – Conner allowed 2,065 rushing yards and 1,736 passing.

If you ask Trosper which formation he prefers, he might respond with a comprehensive “all of it.”

“We’re very multiple,” he said. “We may (have) a three-man front walk down into a four-man front: we’ll walk down into a five-man front.”

Fay’s 76 tackles led the team; he’ll move from middle to outside linebacker.

“Ben Fay is the nucleus for us on defense,” Trosper said.

Fay liked the change.

“I can use my length a little bit more to my advantage at outside linebacker,” Fay said.

Other potential starters: junior lineman Brayton Haaser, junior offensive/defensive lineman Dylan Stewart, junior lineman Riley Marsh, sophomore linebacker Ayden Depenbrock and senior inside linebacker Adam Duncan. Ruzindana and Hatfield will be in the secondary.

With former Simon Kenton coach Jeff Marksberry and Beechwood’s Noel Rash retired, Trosper (who begins his 17^thseason at Conner and also coached four seasons at Holmes) and Holy Cross’ Bruce Kozerski, Cooper’s Randy Borchers are the longest-tenured sideline bosses in Northern Kentucky. A question arises: Are the three the Deans of Northern Kentucky Football?

Trosper chuckled at the thought. 

“I don’t know if I’d call me a dean,” he said.

The Cougars get started on Aug. 18 when they host Paul Laurence Dunbar. Ryle, Lafayette, Newport Central Catholic and Simon Kenton follow before they get into their five-game district slate.

The Class 5A, 6th District has a bit of a different look to it this year as Scott and Dixie Heights enter with Covington Catholic departed. They’ll welcome Scott to district play on Sept. 22. A matchup with arch-rival Cooper follows on Sept. 29. In order to make the playoffs, Conner will have to finish in the top four of the district.

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