21 teams in 21 days: Scott football preview

The Scott Eagles are trying to make the most of a tough situation.

The Eagles hired Jake Owens from Florida to take over the program in February, but he had to resign and go back to Florida in late July. Scott Athletic Director Casey Fisk reached out to former Ludlow head coach Steve Hensley to take over and Hensley agreed to take the challenge.

“They’re working really, really hard,” Hensley said. “They’ve done an outstanding job of just plowing forward. That’s all they can do. Everyone is working to get better each day. That’s all you can ask.”

Eric Turner resigned after the Eagles finished 4-7 last year, losing at Lexington Catholic in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. They graduated 21 seniors off that including their leading rusher in Bennie Hill, who ran for 1,448 yards and 17 touchdown on 196 carries.

Scott has had success in recent years. The Eagles have been to the third round of the Class 4A playoffs three times in the last eight years in 2015, ’19 and ’21. In 2015, Scott fell just one play short of a state semifinal appearance, losing on a last-second touchdown pass against Johnson Central.

“Everything is in place here,” Hensley said. “You got great coaches, who have done an outstanding job the last couple of weeks. The players want to improve and they want to build a championship program.”

The roster lists just six seniors, including center/defensive end Carter Sackett and kicker Charlie Woodring. Senior wide receiver/defensive back Dylan Giffen is the team’s leading returning receiver after catching 26 passes for 322 yards and six touchdowns last year and senior linebacker/wide receiver Boomer Klusman is the team’s leading returning tackler with 36. Klusman also had a team-high three interceptions last year.

“We’ve been put in a tough spot. But I think it’s big that we keep everyone up positively and keep pushing forward, win every week,” Sackett said. “I think we have a lot of potential to be good. A lot of people are writing us off that we’re not that good. But I think we’re going to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Hensley said the Eagles will employ multiple formations on offense and defense. Junior Jordan Goff and sophomore Trey Cook look to take over for the graduated Dasani Lane at quarterback. The two could also make impacts at defensive back.

The Eagles hope for more balance this year after rushing for 1,884 yards and passing for just 888 last year. Kaymon Coleman also looks to make an impact at wide receiver and cornerback.

Mason Rue looks to make an impact at running back and linebacker. Juniors Josh Johnson and AJ Lemon could also receive carries.

“We have two great quarterbacks battling for the spot,” Giffen said. “Our receiving core is pretty deep right now. The new offenses and plays coming in, I think we can really improve on them a lot. It really hasn’t been that hard to get on the same page with them. They know where to throw it and we know what we’re supposed to do. It’s been pretty clean connections so far.”

The Eagles hope improved line play makes a difference from allowing 30.7 points per game last season. Junior Nate Marshall returns with experience on both lines and junior Mason Krentz could also make an impact there. Two sophomores in Hunter Bradley and Jayden Dodd hope slot in as linebackers.

Scott moved up to Class 5A, District 6 this year with county rival Dixie Heights, Boone County, Cooper, Conner and Highlands. It may be a tough challenge, but Hensley said that’s not the concern right now.

“The only thing we’re talking about is to win the next game. It’s that simple a focus,” Hensley said. “We can’t worry about down the road. We have to take care of business and get ready to win the first one. That’s the only focus we’ve had so far.”

That game is the inaugural Bridge Bowl on Aug. 18 across the Licking River against the Campbell County Camels. Hensley hired Brian Weinrich as head coach of the Camels in January, 2022 before stepping down as AD months later.

SCHEDULE