Your guide to the 2023 Lexington high school football season
Lexington high school football has stepped up in class this season in more ways than one.
Frederick Douglass, which ended a 41-year state championship drought for Lexington public schools when it claimed the Class 5A title over Bowling Green last December, has been bumped up to Class 6A, the division for the state’s largest football schools by enrollment.
Bryan Station obtained an almost-unheard-of victory over Louisville powerhouse Trinity to earn a region championship and reach the Class 6A semifinals last year. Now the Defenders have Douglass to contend with in their district and increased expectations that their success will continue.
Lexington Christian will be led by the state’s most-heralded senior quarterback and has lined up an array of top-ranked regular-season opponents.
Lexington Catholic claimed its first district title in six years last season with a stunning regular-season victory over eventual Class 4A champion Boyle County. But while the Knights drop down to Class 3A, their path to postseason glory doesn’t get easier.
And Sayre, a young program in only its sixth varsity season, finally has a meaningful set of nearby district rivals and a legitimate shot at playoff success as Class A’s No. 10-ranked team.
Douglass’ ‘national schedule’
The challenge for Herald-Leader Class 6A preseason No. 3 Douglass not only involves its move to the biggest school division, it also includes a difficult schedule that begins with a high-profile trip to Canton, Ohio, for a best-in-the-nation level, multi-game event where the Broncos will face Akron, Ohio, juggernaut Archbishop Hoban.
Then Douglass visits traditional Class 6A power Trinity in Louisville and will later welcome Cathedral from Indianapolis for a home game on Sept. 22. And the Oct. 14 game against No. 5 Bryan Station will be as big as ever.
“With a ‘national’ schedule, it’s honestly harder, but it will kind of be fun to see where we are on a national level,” Douglass Coach Nathan McPeek said. “I just felt like that was the next phase that we needed to do.”
Hoban ranks at No. 40 on the High School Football America national rankings. Cathedral is No. 70. Herald-Leader Class 6A preseason No. 1 St. Xavier is the only Kentucky school in that nationwide list’s top 100. Douglass comes in at No. 200.
“They (Hoban and Cathedral) are going to compete for their state championships in Ohio and Indiana, and we know how good Ohio football is,” McPeek said. “For me, it was about the experience. … When you look at the teams playing in this (Canton) bowl showcase, it was special to be invited. … We’re definitely looking forward to the challenge.”
Despite graduating 28 seniors, the Broncos continue to have some of the most recruited players in the state with the likes of linemen Zuri Madison and Demeco Kennedy and defensive backs Terrion Hicks and Jeremiah Lowe.
And they have a largely unsung senior QB in Cole Carpenter, an Eastern Kentucky commit who threw for three touchdowns in last year’s state title game.
Next step for Station
Bryan Station Coach Phillip Hawkins echoed that same sentiment when discussing his schedule, which begins with a trip to No. 4 Trinity. The Rocks might take their revenge on Station for last season’s playoff loss, but if the Defenders can get that win on the road, it could signal Bryan Station is ready for the next step in its evolution as a top contender.
“We will never make it to a state championship if we don’t play this schedule,” Hawkins said. “I don’t know how teams see us from the outside in, but my colleagues think that we should be pretty good. They knew we didn’t lose a lot and we have some talent. We’ll see.”
The Defenders return 17 starters, including three-star athlete JT Haskins Jr., who doubles as a wide receiver and lockdown defensive back.
“We’ve got a lot of kids coming back and we have a talented freshman class coming in,” Haskins said. “I think we’ve got our leadership, and we just build on what we did last year.”
LCA’s gauntlet
Class realignment took away some traditional foes for Lexington Christian, including Danville and Somerset, two state championship-winning programs.
The Eagles will be heavily favored to win their new district, which features Washington County, Fort Knox, Shawnee and first-year program W.E.B. DuBois out of Louisville.
So, LCA Coach Doug Charles loaded up his schedule elsewhere — and not just a little bit. LCA will face Class A No. 1 Pikeville, Class 3A No. 1 Christian Academy-Louisville, Class 4A No. 1 Boyle County and Class 5A No. 1 Bowling Green all in the first four weeks ahead of the traditional battle with 3A No. 3 Lexington Catholic. Then LCA closes the season with Class A No. 2 Raceland.
That will certainly make the Eagles battle-tested for the playoffs — if they survive.
“We’ve always wanted to play on big stages and play games that matter and kind of get a benchmark where we are,” Charles said. “We felt like with the returning guys we had, we could at least compete with some of these guys. And so we said, ‘Why not?’”
Those guys include quarterback Cutter Boley, a Kentucky commit rated as the No. 1 recruit in the state, and Madison Central senior transfer Brady Hensley, a first team all-state running back last season who has topped 1,000 yards rushing each of the last two years.
Fresh start at LexCath
Lexington Catholic has its third coach in as many seasons, but when the new head man has a St. Xavier pedigree, the expectations are just as high as ever. The Knights enter Class 3A this season and are the Herald-Leader preseason No. 3 team in the division.
“I love preseason expectations, but that just tells our guys they need to raise their standard,” Coach Nick Baisch said.
LexCath has a schedule just as tough as anyone. It opens by hosting Class 5A No. 5 Highlands, coached by former Knights head coach Bob Sphire. Two weeks later, Class 4A No. 2 Corbin stops by.
New challenge at Sayre
When Sayre restarted football six years ago and began competing at the varsity level in 2020, the KHSAA placed it in District 7, the home of eastern Kentucky stalwarts Pikeville and Hazard. Pikeville has won three out of the last four Class A state titles. That made for some tough sledding in November.
This year, Sayre has been realigned into the much more hospitable District 5 along with Berea, Frankfort and Eminence. The travel schedule will be better, and as Class A’s No. 10 team, the Spartans should be, too.
“We’re excited where we’re starting, but we’ve got a long, long way to go,” Sayre Coach Chad Pennington said.
Dunbar’s streak
Dunbar’s senior class has yet to lose a district title. Its intention is to keep that streak going, although it could face a serious challenge from Tates Creek this year. All 13 seniors, “the COVID class,” are starters.
“The guys are here to work. They’re here hungry. They know what’s in front of them,” Dunbar senior defensive lineman Ethan Hampton said.
Here’s a look at Lexington’s football teams going into the 2023 season, beginning with the teams ranked in the Herald-Leader’s preseason top 10s. The online version of this story has links to each team’s full schedule. Quotes about players are from the coach.
Frederick Douglass
Coach: Nathan McPeek (fourth season).
H-L preseason rank: No. 3 in Class 6A.
Last season: 15-0. District, region and Class 5A state champions with 28-7 win over Bowling Green.
Standing out: Cole Carpenter, sr., 6-3/200/QB (Eastern Kentucky commit); Zuri Madison, sr., 6-4/310/OL (Arkansas commit); Aveion Chenault, jr., 6-3/185/WR (three-star recruit); Demeco Kennedy, sr., 6-3/285/OL/DL (three-star recruit); Terrion Hicks, sr., 5-11/180/DB (Northwestern commit); Jeremiah Lowe, sr., 5-11/165/DB (Michigan commit); Darion Neal, sr., 6-0/220/LB.
Madison says: “I’m looking forward to going back to state and having fun with my teammates. It’s my last year before college, so I’m looking at making it worthwhile. … A lot of people are thinking we’re not going to do our thing. It’s a whole different situation. But, you know, we’re not going to be hunted.”
Notes: Douglass has 16 players who’ve announced some sort of college offer with 13 of those being from Division I FBS programs.
Bryan Station
Coach: Phillip Hawkins (fourth season).
H-L preseason rank: No. 5 in Class 6A.
Last season: 10-4. District and region champions.
Standing out: JT Haskins Jr., sr., 6-1/170/WR/DB (three-star recruit); Trenton Cutwright, 6-1/170/QB (three-year starter); Buyabahe Benit, sr., 5-9/190/RB; Kalen “Jaws” Washington, jr., 5-10/190/RB (1,000-yard rusher at George Rogers Clark); Dahvon Frazier, 6-2/225/HB/OLD (Akron commit); Jahvon Frazier, sr., 6-3/235/OT/DE (Akron commit); Jason Hocker, sr., 6-1/225/LB (Akron commit).
Cutwright says: “We’re grinding everyday to get to that state championship. I think, honestly, it just comes down to mentality, knowing that we were so close. … We can do this. I think the guys have a brand new mode they get into when it’s time to work.”
Notes: Bryan Station put up more points against eventual state champion Bullitt East than any of the Chargers’ other opponents last season in the 55-41 semifinals loss.
Lexington Christian
Coach: Doug Charles (fifth season).
H-L preseason rank: No. 3 in Class 2A.
Last season: 9-5. District and region champions.
Standing out: Cutter Boley, sr., 6-5/215/QB (Kentucky commit); Brady Hensley, sr., 6-0, 206/RB (Eastern Kentucky commit); Parker Chaney, sr., 6-0/181/WR/DB; Major Brown, sr., 6-0/190/LB; Chase Couch, sr., 6-4/210/DL; Kenyatta Hardge, 6-1/250/DL.
Coach says: “We’ve got arguably one of the better quarterbacks in the county. He’s done nothing but get better. He can make throws that you just don’t see at the high school level very often. We’re glad we’ve got another year with him.”
Notes: If losses pile up from their difficult schedule it will be hard for LCA to improve its RPI enough to earn home-field advantage for the playoffs’ later rounds.
Lexington Catholic
Coach: Nick Baisch (first season).
H-L preseason rank: No. 3 in Class 3A.
Last season: 10-3. District champions in Class 4A.
Standing out: Jackson Wasik, sr., 5-11/150/QB, “can make you defend the whole field”; Joe Schlarman, sr., 6-3/270/OL, “has the size and tools to dominate the line of scrimmage”; Max Mooring, sr., 5-10/165/RB, “ability to get the tough yards”; Tanner Pedroche, sr., 6-3/235/TE; Sam Clements, sr., 6-0/150/WR/DB, “rangy athlete with elite ball skills”; Kanon Mackley, sr., 6-0/230/OL/DL.
Wasik says: “In practice, we’ve been fast and controlled on our offense. We put a lot in, but we’ve adjusted well. I think we’ll be a pretty good contender for the state championship this year.”
Notes: It has been very rare that Boyle County and Lexington Catholic have not been districted together in the same class. They are now in separate classes, which means they won’t face each other in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. However, LexCath will play Boyle in Danville in the regular season on Sept. 22.
Sayre
Coach: Chad Pennington (sixth season).
H-L preseason rank: No. 10 in Class A.
Last season: 5-6.
Standing out: Brock Coffman, jr., 6-0/165/WR/DB, “explosive in passing and return game”; Luke Pennington, jr., 5-11/175/QB, “improved his arm strength”; Charlie Slabaugh, jr., 6-0/185/WR/RB/LB, “great defensive instincts”; Tyler Francis, sr., 6-2/285/OL, “strong and cerebral at center”; Jack Bernard, sr., 6-2/290/OL/DL; Walt Cowles, sr., 6-3/205/TE; Travis Smith, sr., 6-1/185/LB.
Coffman says: “I’m excited for new opportunities. We’re looking to win our first playoff game. … I feel like we can do it this year.”
Notes: Sayre played new district rivals Eminence and Frankfort last season, beating the Warriors 38-0 but losing to the Panthers 28-21.
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Coach: Wes Johnson (sixth season).
Last season: 6-6. District champions.
Standing out: Ethan Teall, sr., 6-5/220/QB (returning from injury); Trae Berry, sr., 6-3/190/WR, “long, athletic”; Ethan Hampton, sr., 6-2/230/DL, “great leader”; Noe Kayembe, sr., 5-11/170/WR “will surprise a lot of people”; Colton Turlington, 5-11/175/LB, “heart and soul of the D”; Laz Bowman, jr., 5-11/170/LB, “one of hardest hitters on the team.”
Teall says: “I’m definitely a lot more confident than last year in the system. I’ve got a whole ‘nother year with Coach (Zach) Tibbs (offensive coordinator) and Coach Johnson. It’s a lot better this year.”
Notes: Dunbar has won three straight district titles and a region championship in 2021. With the removal of Fayette County Public Schools’ mandate that all of its teams play each other, Dunbar did not renew its regular-season series with Frederick Douglass. Class 6A’s playoff structure makes it likely Dunbar will face Douglass or Bryan Station or both early in the postseason.
Tates Creek
Coach: Jonathan Hawks (second season).
Last season: 5-7. District runner-up.
Standing out: Andrew Witherington, sr., 5-10/170/QB “has improved tremendously in the offseason”; Marquavion Smith, sr., 5-8-/175/RB, “elusive and has vision … expect for him to make an immediate impact”; Michael Winn, sr., 6-1/205/DE, “one of the more dominant defensive players on our team”; Logan Julian, sr., 6-0/215/LB, “impact player at any position.”
Coach says: “Our numbers are up from last year and we’ve got a lot of kids who got a lot of experience from last season. They’re playing hard and coming out every day with a hard-working mentality. When they mess up, they mess up full speed. That’s what you want.”
Notes: The Commodores’ playoff win last year came thanks to a game-winning drive in the final moments. Witherington won a region title in the 300-meter hurdles.
Henry Clay
Coach: Demetrius Gay (fourth season).
Last season: 3-8.
Standing out: Walden Cole, sr., 6-0/185/WR/LB; Scyler Hersey, sr., 5-8/150/WR/DB; JT Deaton, sr., 6-2/265/T; Rohan Taylor, jr., 5-8/160/QB; Aly Gueye, sr., 6-1/195/DE; Luke Bailey, sr., 5-9/155/DB; Henry Mackey, sr., 5-9/185/LB; Luke DiNardo, jr., 6-0/180/DB; Jezion Smith, jr., 6-1/230/OL/DL.
Coach says: “We have a lot of new faces on the offensive side of the ball, especially the skill positions. But they play together as a group. They like each other. Hopefully we can put it together and win a few games this year.”
Notes: Henry Clay returns just seven starters, two on offense. Last season the Blue Devils lost to district rivals Tates Creek and Lafayette by identical scores of 22-19 and they led in both games.
Lafayette
Coach: Jon Lawson (second season).
Last season: 0-11.
Standing out: Dez Hanley, sr., 6-0/190/RB/LB; Kevin Amur, sr., 6-3/200/WR; Jackson Stephens, jr., 5-10/185/RB; Aaron Vibbert, sr., 6-0/240/OL; Issac Barrow, jr., 5-11/175/QB; Bobby LeFevers, sr., 6-0/205/LB; Felix Brady, 6-3/185/LB, Cael Green, sr., 5-10/190/LB; Matthew Hardin, jr., 6-0/195/LB.
Coach says: “I think the progression we’ve made from last year to now has been tremendous. You can see the culture and climate of this team change daily.”
Notes: Lafayette returns 15 starters. The Generals’ losing streak dates to 2021 and is at 14 games to begin this season.
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Herald-Leader Top 10: Kentucky Class 3A high school football preseason poll for 2023
Herald-Leader Top 10: Kentucky Class 2A high school football preseason poll for 2023
Herald-Leader Top 10: Kentucky Class A high school football preseason poll for 2023
