Change has been the only constant within the Conner football program.
Through challenges, the Cougars’ players, coaches and community have stayed united as they continue moving the program forward with resilience and belief in each other.
Here’s five things to know about the Cougars as they approach the 2026 season:
One Team, One Mission
One season after enduring unimaginable adversity, Conner enters the fall united behind a simple message: One Team, One Mission.
In June 2025, around two months before the season began, longtime Conner head coach Dave Trosper unexpectedly died. Former and current Beechwood head coach Noel Rash stepped in on a temporary basis, guiding the Cougars through a difficult season before stepping down in December.
Now under first-year head coach Chase Floyd, Conner is focused on building the program’s next chapter.
Trosper’s influence, however, continues to shape the program.
“Coach Trosper’s favorite drink was Code Red,” Floyd said. “So we have these red shirts that say ‘One Team, One Mission’ on the back, and that’s become our rallying cry. Last year we picked up the pieces. Now we’re hitting the ground running. It’s all of us together—practicing together, playing together. We’re doing this thing as one.”
Ready for the Moment
Every quarterback eventually gets his turn.
After learning behind Grayson Montgomery, who completed 152 passes for 2,065 yards and 22 touchdowns with seven interceptions, junior Ethan Estvanko is ready to lead Conner’s offense.
“I want to make us better than we were last year and take us further in the playoffs,” Estvanko said. “I learned from Grayson how to slow the game down, make good reads and keep a good pace.”
Although Estvanko didn’t attempt a pass last season, he made his presence felt on defense. He led the Cougars with two fumble recoveries and 10 tackles for loss while adding 45 tackles, one forced fumble and a sack.
That experience on the other side of the ball has helped prepare him for his role at quarterback.
“It helps me know what the defense is going to do,” Estvanko said. “How they’re going to read it.”
Conner’s New Go-To Target
The spotlight in Hebron has arrived ahead of schedule for one sophomore: EJ Barney.
After spending most of last season on the freshman team while gaining a taste of varsity football, Barney is ready for a bigger opportunity. The 6-foot-1 receiver believes his combination of size, length and polished route running will allow him to make an immediate impact as Conner’s top receiving option.
Barney models his game after two of the NFL’s best big-bodied route runners: former San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers standout Keenan Allen and longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, who now plays for the San Francisco 49ers.
“I work on precision a ton, being exact on my routes, not going over or under my yardage and being very sharp on my cuts,” Barney said. “My size and length definitely help me, too. I really study those guys a lot. They’re great route runners.”
A Veteran Voice Joins the Staff
A familiar face in Northern Kentucky football has returned, this time on the Conner sideline.
Roy Lucas Jr. brings two decades of coaching experience to the Cougars’ staff. Lucas began his head coaching career at Simon Kenton from 1997-1999 before taking over at Lloyd Memorial, where he led the program from 2000-2010. He later returned to Simon Kenton as offensive coordinator and assistant coach from 2012-2020 before becoming Pioneers’ head coach again from 2021-2023. Most recently, Lucas served as tight ends coach at Mount St. Joseph.
“We coached together. He’s kind of like my second mentor,” Floyd said. “I asked him, thinking that it was a long shot, but God works in mysterious ways. It’s been awesome because you get to bounce ideas off somebody that’s been there, done that. It’s honestly been a Godsend because he’s been everything I needed and more.”
Floyd’s First Season
A new chapter begins for Conner football under first-year head coach Chase Floyd.
After being a part of the coaching staff since 2018, Floyd knew he eventually wanted to become a head coach. Following Coach Trosper’s passing, the timing wasn’t right. When Coach Rash stepped down, Floyd saw it as a sign that his opportunity had arrived.
“I’ve known for a while that I wanted to take it,” Floyd said. “A couple years ago, I was fighting cancer and just beat it when he passed. I felt like I was ready, but there were things that had to happen in terms of finishing surgeries, tying up loose ends on the hospital side. Once Coach Rash said he wasn’t coming back, I knew that it was a sign. I felt like God was calling me to step into this role and do what I’ve been trained to do.”
We’re previewing all 22 NKY football teams from July 27-August 17. Check out five things to know about each team below:
