Scott High School football is trending upward. New head coach Dustin Trimnell won’t allow anything less. His players won’t allow anything less. And the seniors — small in number but large in resolve — insist on chasing a winning season, a playoff berth, and a playoff victory, the three milestones that have slipped through their fingers.
“People see Scott as not being taken seriously,” says senior two-way standout Justin Hardy, who has lived through just seven wins in three varsity seasons. “But you know what, not this year. We’re going to win.”
Trimnell feeds off that confidence. He expects Hardy and the rest of the roster to embrace the growing buzz around Scott football because they’re the ones creating it. Hardy plans to spend Friday nights sharpening his vision, hunting opponents, and soaring — exactly what an Eagle should do. The players say it’s a stark departure from recent years, and the team is eager for the change.
“These guys want to win like crazy,” Trimnell says. “Scott’s had success, and we’re going to bring it back.”
From 2013–21, Scott rolled through eight winning seasons and eight postseason victories in nine years. The last three seasons have been rougher: a 3–7 finish in 2025 and two-win campaigns each of the two years before that. With only six seniors, the Eagles are intent on changing that.
Here are five things to know about the Eagles heading into the 2026 season:
Who is the new head coach?
Trimnell, 37, teaches at Scott and steps into his first year as a high school head football coach. He has spent most of his adult life assisting at the prep level, beginning at his alma mater, Dayton, later at Newport Central Catholic and most recently at Bellevue. His senior season at Dayton came in 2007 — nearly 20 years ago — but his passion for the sport hasn’t dimmed. He hopes to make coaching a long-term thing.
“The game is fun. The kids are fun and winning is awesome,” Trimnell says. “What you have to remember is they’re kids. And when you coach them, you have to speak with them on their level. I try to motivate my players in ways they understand.”
His motivational style traces back to his former Dayton coach Stephen Lickert, under whom Trimnell played three seasons. Lickert led him to his first winning season and first postseason appearance.
“He came to Dayton my freshman year. The guy was amazing at getting us to believe in ourselves,” Trimnell recalls. “I really pull from those experiences with other coaches and shoot straight with the kids.”
What to look for on offense
Trimnell prioritizes flexibility and adaptability — traits he sharpened while coaching with Chad Montgomery and managing small rosters at Bellevue. He prefers a spread-to-run hybrid that stretches defenses horizontally while maintaining traditional gap-power concepts.
“It’s a power spread with 11 personnel so the tight end is important, and it forces teams to defend the whole field,” he explains. “Kevin Eichmann is our offensive coordinator, and we like what he’s doing.”
Just a few starters return from an offense that averaged 31 points per game last season. Hardy, junior receiver Payton Zinser, and junior running back Luke Tomlin lead the group. Hardy and Zinser finished first and second in receptions — Hardy with 30 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns, Zinser with 28 for 466 yards and seven scores. Tomlin paced the rushing attack with 441 yards and five touchdowns and added 17 receptions and five more scores.
“More than just producing, we have to be leaders,” says Hardy, who has also been lining up at tight end.
Dynamic Kaydenn Marshall is a potential breakout all-purpose threat after posting nine catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns last season. Intriguing Charlie Miles could emerge in the backfield after a strong summer.
The Eagles must replace virtually their entire starting offensive line and find a new quarterback after Trey Cook threw every pass in 2025. Trimnell likes the work ethic of young Nash Overholser under center. Up front, Malachi Snapp (6-2, 260), Zach Bowling, Kylan Sturgeon, Wyatt Szito, Octavio Gomez, and sophomore Nathan Cottengim are all competing for roles on both lines.
When the defense improves
With veteran defensive coordinator Dave Meadows, Trimnell is installing a 3–3 stack and expects it to pay off quickly.
“We’re going to be better there with a multi-D where outside safeties play the run first,” Trimnell says. “We simply can’t allow as many points as last year.”
All agree the standard must rise. Scott allowed nearly 40 points per game, with only two Class 5A teams giving up more points. Trimnell has watched Meadows elevate defenses at other local programs and believes the Eagles’ numbers will drop significantly, giving the offense more breathing room.
Returning defenders include most of last season’s top tacklers: Hardy (44), Colton Turner (53), Jonah Rector (40), and Chase Karl (32). Hardy recorded an interception, two sacks, and three tackles for loss, and both he and Turner can play linebacker and in the secondary. Zinser led the team with three interceptions. Marshall added two picks, and Hardy had one. Miles can contribute at linebacker.
Where the intangibles are
Trimnell points to unity and attitude as defining strengths. He cautions against overlooking his team’s heart, the desire to improve, and the determination of seniors who want to finish strong.
“The best teams I’ve coached did it collectively and these guys have to be in this together,” he says. “One person’s success isn’t more important than another person’s success. It doesn’t matter where they come from, if they believe in the message, the messengers and themselves, they can accomplish great things.”
Communication is central to his approach. “Pare it down and make it simple but get the message across and get the work done,” Trimnell says. His teaching role on campus adds another advantage. “What these kids really need is to understand what the coaches are saying, and I’m always around. We’re in it for the long haul and it’s important the players understand exactly what we’re trying to accomplish over time.”
Hardy sees the difference: “The offense is easier to understand, and the defense is a lot simpler this year than last year when there was too much going on. Now, on defense, you have a position, you have a job and you have a gap. On offense, I run, catch and block.”
Why Trimnell and Scott are in a good spot
Scott typically rosters 65–70 players, and last year’s team topped 70 — a credit to the previous staff, which also improved the passing game and left behind a deep receiver group. At earlier coaching stops, Trimnell sometimes worked with fewer than 35 players. He knows larger rosters help protect programs from injuries that can derail smaller schools.
“It’s always better to have more players,” he says.
Facilities add another advantage at Scott. “We have a fieldhouse, two pools and so much to offer,” Trimnell says. “We’ll never have to miss a practice or change a practice because it’s raining; we can just move it inside. You don’t get the coaches we have who believe in your vision without the players and the facilities, and we’ve got all that at Scott.”
Trimnell has succeeded at smaller schools where constraints are constant. Scott, he says, removes excuses.
“After the success we had at small programs and now you’re going to give me all the toys, all the things I need to build the house? I’ll take that,” he says. “The administration has been great, and the boosters have been great. The players have been great. All of that just makes success more attainable. And we’re ready to go after it.”
We’re previewing all 22 NKY football teams from July 27-August 17. Check out five things to know about each team below:
