We surveyed the state’s coaches. Their best quotes will fire you up for football.
Each year, the Herald-Leader delivers a preseason survey to every high school football coach in the state to help us get to know more about each team and to build our team and player rankings.
This year, 168 of the 223 coaches participated, offering their insights to the season ahead. It’s a lot to process and it’s hard to pass all of that info on to our readers each year.
Some coaches had a ton to say about their teams. Others were more reserved.
Here are some of the best coaches quotes we read this season. Thanks to all who participated.
Coaches said …
Breckinridge County (Brent Hottell): “We return a wealth of experience with 14 regular starters returning. … These kids have put in one of the best offseasons in the weight room that I have had at this school and are looking to shake off the bad vibes of last season and get us back on the winning track.”
Bryan Station (Phillip Hawkins, joking, we assume): “Hope we can get a first down.”
Bullitt East (Keegan Kendric): “If we can build some chemistry as a team and learn to compete at a high level, then we will have a chance to play with anyone.”
Carroll County (Lonnie Oldham): “We have an opportunity to go past round two this year and shock the state!!! … At some time this season we are going to make the news. We have a great thing going and hope to stay healthy. If we do, people will know where and who Carroll County is on the state map.”
Dayton (Jesse Herbst): “Five years ago, we had 14 total kids in our program, forcing us to forfeit our last two games of the 2018 season. Now we have 14 seniors, a 40-man roster, and we are competing for district and regional championships!”
Frederick Douglass (Nathan McPeek): “This is a new era for our football program in 2023 playing these national opponents and some of the best teams in Kentucky. We have a standard of 70-9 record here and looking forward to seeing where we are in 2023.”
Greenwood (William Howard): “We’re trying to get to the point where when people talk about Bowling Green and South Warren, they say, ‘Well, they’re in the district with Greenwood.’”
Hart County (Chad Griffin): “I really feel like we can build off of a 9-3 season from last year. Definitely feel like we should compete for a district championship as well as be playing several weeks in the playoffs.”
LaRue County (Sonny Judd): “With a core group back and a couple of additions we look to be able to score versus anyone we face. We have spent a lot of the summer focusing on our defense. If they are able to play up to their potential we could put together a very successful season.”
McCracken County (Jonathan Smith): “The outlook of our team is simple — we had our rears whipped and tails tucked a lot last year, and we have been working nonstop in the weight room, in the classroom, and on the field since January to change who we are and get closer to where we want to be.”
Scott County (Jim McKee): “We have not had a losing season since 2000. We have navigated the new school and our program is on solid footing, but getting to Kroger Field is not easy. We need a break or two but this year is dang good. Our brand new school with the best football facilities in Kentucky will be opening next August. (Scott County) has a great football atmosphere and culture — the number of brothers that have played here, the number of assistant coaches who played here — great school. Great program!”
Shelby Valley (Anthony Hampton): “These boys are really playing for each other. The last time I had a team like that in 2014 … we made it to the semifinals. … We’re now to the point where we’re wanting to win districts and get to the regional championships. So, you’ve got to take that next step.”
Tates Creek (Jonathan Hawks): “Our players are learning to embrace the moment in which we are in today. We understand that it is going to take a lot of work to build the program that we are on the path to building for the future. Our players take pride in our community and more importantly in each other.”
West Jessamine (Scott Marsh): “We’ll be young and untested, but with a great group of young men who are more than capable. Our group just needs to get experience and play.”
The Herald-Leader Hundred: 2023’s top Kentucky high school football players
Save the date: Kentucky high school football’s biggest games, best rivalries this season
Your guide to the 2023 Lexington high school football season
Herald-Leader Watch List: 2023’s top Central Kentucky high school football players
Herald-Leader Watch List: 2023’s top Lexington high school football players
