Four downs with Ryle

This promises to be a record-breaking season at Ryle for head football coach Mike Engler, who needs three wins to become the program’s all-time winningest coach. Engler has an impressive ledger of 71-48 over his 10-year career at Ryle.

Engler led the Raiders to an 8-5 record in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year without a losing season. They clinched two playoff victories for the second time in three years and secured the Class 6A, District 6 regular season championship with an undefeated record for the second time in three seasons. The Raiders captured their seventh district championship and sixth conference title. They advanced to the state tournament regional final for the fourth time and came away with the 200th win in program history.

Ryle boasts an undefeated regular season in 2016, a state final appearance in 2006 and two state semifinal appearances since the program’s inception in 1992. However, a state championship title remains elusive in 32 years of Raiders football. While records are commendable, championships are the top goal. The focus at Ryle remains on winning titles, with the ultimate prize being a state championship.

“Returning experience and leadership is a big strength,” Engler said. “We had a pretty good offseason and I attribute that to the older guys bringing everybody together.”

FIRST DOWN — RECAP

The Raiders had a challenging start to last season with a 2-4 record against one of Kentucky’s toughest schedules. However, they managed to turn things around. Their losses were against formidable opponents: Class 4A state finalist Covington Catholic, Class 5A state semifinalist Highlands, Class 3A state champion Christian Academy-Louisville, and 2021 Class 6A champion Louisville St. Xavier. These teams had a combined record of 48-8 in 2023 and have won 46 state titles collectively.

The Raiders started with a 2-1 record, defeating Class 5A stalwart Conner and Class 5A state finalist Cooper. This was followed by a three-game losing streak to Highlands, CAL and St. X. They bounced back by sweeping Campbell County, Great Crossing and Simon Kenton for a 3-0 district record and secured a No. 1 playoff seed. They extended their winning streak to six with a regular season-ending victory at Dixie Heights and two decisive home playoff wins over Southern and Bullitt East. Their run in the Class 6A playoffs ended with a 49-12 loss to the eventual state runner-up Bryan Station. The Raiders’ 13 opponents had a combined total of 104 wins.

Both the offense and defense found their rhythm later in the season. The Raiders averaged 51.6 points in their last three wins and 41.8 during the six-game winning streak. The defense improved significantly, reducing the average points allowed from 32.6 in the first six games to 19.8 during the winning streak. Success should continue. Ryle has 20 seniors and features 18 positions manned by a player who started at least five games last season.

SECOND DOWN — OFFENSE

The spread offense welcomes back eight players who’ve started, including four linemen: center Kyle Beatty, tackle Eli Caldwell and guards Jack Gatlin and Eli Reynolds. Jacob Savage, the lead runner and long snapper, returns after rushing for 380 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and accumulating 612 total yards and nine touchdowns. Senior tight end Dillon Smith and prolific receivers Landon Lorms and Dylan Lee also return.

“We have a lot of talent,” Savage said. “That’s why we can’t wait to start the season.”

The record-breaking Lorms, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior, causes matchup problems. He caught 91 passes last season, ranking third in the state. He set a new Ryle and area single-season record, placing at least 12th in state history according to the KHSAA, which has not updated its list. Lorms amassed 1,023 receiving yards, the second-most in Ryle history, and tied the program record with 13 TDs. He’s already Ryle’s all-time receptions leader and is less than 400 yards away from topping the school’s all-time receiving yards list. He needs 83 receptions to reach 200 in his career, a feat achieved by fewer than 12 players in Kentucky history according to the KHSAA.

Lee had 45 receptions for 782 yards and 10 scores, averaging 17.3 yards per catch. The junior could potentially challenge some of Lorms’ team records before he’s through. Juniors Gavin Lyons and Savage combined for 57 catches and 614 yards. Punter Gavin Moses is taking on placekicking duties.

The Raiders are transitioning to a new quarterback, junior Nate Verax, who takes over from his brother, Logan Verax, Ryle’s all-time passing leader. Nate appeared in seven games and completed 14 of 25 passes for 158 yards as his brother’s primary backup. He threw two TDs and one interception and averaged 8.2 yards per carry.

“Nate has the arms and legs to be great. We have clocked him at 4.52 in the 40. Plus, he returns five players that all had 22 or more receptions,” Engler said. “We did well at the EKU 7-on-7 without some of our receivers and I attribute that to Nate.”

THIRD DOWN — DEFENSE

The 4-2-5 base defense features as many as 10 players with starting experience, including three-year starter Smith at end and Beau Faul on the inside. Smith, who has committed to the University of Louisville, will line up inside more often this season. The 6-4, 250-pound playmaker was among the team’s tackle leaders last season, registering six sacks and three interceptions. Bo Gay, another player with starting experience, also returns.

“We have several players attracting Division I interest,” Engler said. “And that includes defensive players.”

Among them is Savage, Class 6A’s leading tackler last season and sixth statewide with 163 tackles. He’s joined at linebacker by Kyle Workman. The secondary features safeties, corners and outside linebackers. They include the younger Verax, Lee, Lyons, Drake Meadows, Ryan Handorf, LJ Warner and Jaden Galicia. Lyons led the team with four interceptions last year, while Nate Verax had three.

“We have a lot of key guys coming back this year with a lot of young guys with one more year of experience,” Smith said. “I think we’re going to have a pretty good team.”

FOURTH DOWN— GOALS/OUTLOOK

The schedule is once again packed with familiar powerhouses. Ryle faces three non-district teams that competed for 2023 state championships: CovCath, Cooper and CAL. They also have rematches with Highlands and St. Xavier. This presents a significant challenge for any quarterback, especially a first-year starter. Nevertheless, coach Engler wants to beat them all. If Verax grows up quick, the coach believes he has the horses to win a lot of games.

“Lack of experience at QB could be a weakness at the beginning of the season. However, Nate Verax will become one of the top QBs in northern Kentucky,” Engler said. “He could be one of the best in the state.”

The question is, when.

“I think we have a team that can really do something come tournament time,” Engler said. “If we stay healthy, I’d be disappointed if we didn’t make a deep run.”

SCHEDULE