Cincinnati Enquirer

High school football was very prosperous for Northern Kentucky programs from 2010-19.

 

Beechwood won three state championships in 1A from 2016-18, and lost the state final in 2015.

Newport Central Catholic won a pair of 2A state championships in 2010 and 2012 and finished runner-up from 2013-15.

Eddie Eviston coached both of those title teams, and both the title teams for Covington Catholic in 2017 and 2019. He is one of 16 coaches with four or more championships.

Holy Cross won the 2011 state title in 2A behind head coach Bruce Kozerski.

Highlands won four state championships in five years from 2010-14, finishing runner-up in 2013, part of a stretch of seven state championships in eight years.

Cooper finished as the state runner-up in 2012 in 5A. Dixie Heights was 6A state runner-up in 2014.

 

The 11 winningest programs in Northern Kentucky over the decade according to the KHSAA web site: Beechwood 109-32, Highlands 102-34, Covington Catholic 101-34, Simon Kenton 97-32, NCC 90-47, Walton-Verona 86-37, Conner 70-49, Lloyd Memorial 65-52, Ryle 65-53, Cooper 63-57, Scott 59-55.

 

Here is a look back at some of the top players in Northern Kentucky in the 2010s. The list was compiled using all-state and all-region honors, plus statistical and team accomplishments. Ranking players in different classes and eras is always subjective, and judging players like linemen who don't accumulate stats can be guesswork, but here are the "Top 11" players of the decade, and a few honorable mentions, in each position group except for special teams. 

 

Quarterbacks

Drew Barker, Conner – First-team all-state in 2013. Threw 6,264 yards and 62 touchdowns in his career. Ran for 3,931 yards and 51 TDs. Signed with Kentucky and started several games for the Wildcats.

Kyle Fieger, Beechwood – He has the all-time record for touchdown passes (104) for QBs in a Northern Kentucky uniform. Played baseball for Georgetown College.

Kyle Fuller, Holy Cross – Threw for 3,025 yards and 38 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,384 yards and 15 scores in the Indians’ 2011 state championship season.

 

Connor Hempel, Ryle – Honorable mention all-state pick for the Raiders in 2010. Played for Harvard.

 

Beau Hoge, Highlands – Second-team all-state in 2014 after leading the Bluebirds to their last state championship. Threw for 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns and rushed for 865 and 26. Son of former NFL star Merril Hoge, he played running back for Brigham Young.

A.J. Mayer, Covington Catholic – Three-year starter and first-team all-state in 2017 after leading the Colonels to the 2017 5A state championship. Northern Kentucky's career leader in passing yards with over 8,000. Currently a QB at Miami (Ohio).

rew Moore, Dixie Heights – Led Dixie Heights to its only state final in 2014, rushed for 1,791 yards and 28 touchdowns, and threw for 1,245 yards and 10 touchdowns with only three interceptions

 

Tanner Morgan, Ryle – In 2019, he led Minnesota to one of the best seasons in its history and just ended his junior season there. Threw for more than 5,400 yards and 48 touchdowns in two seasons with the Raiders after posting similar numbers in two seasons at Hazard. He is one of nine quarterbacks in Kentucky history with more than 10,000 passing yards and 100 TD passes.

 

Zeke Pike, Dixie Heights – Honorable mention all-state in 2011. The nationally-ranked quarterback signed with Auburn but struggled with numerous personal issues and never played significantly in college.

Cameron Racke, Simon Kenton – Three-year starter for the Pioneers who led them to the state semifinals in 2015.

Patrick Towles, Highlands – Northern Kentucky’s last Mr. Football (2011). Led Highlands to a state record 849 points in 2011, throwing for 42 touchdowns en route to a 15-0 state championship season. Starter under center for two years at Kentucky and one for Boston College.

Honorable mention

Drew Houliston and Donovan McCoy, Highlands - Also state champion quarterbacks for the Bluebirds with outstanding statistics, part of a long line of great signal-callers in Fort Thomas in the past two decades. 

 

Running back

Justin Blackburn, Ludlow – Ludlow’s school record-holder, including rushing for 2,116 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2017.

Logan Castleman, Beechwood – Central figure in Beechwood’s three straight state title teams from 2016-18. Had 3,308 total yards and 64 total touchdowns, plus had 12 interceptions on defense. Second-team all-state. Signed with Wright State to play baseball.

 

Jake Chisholm, Ryle – First-team all-state in 2017. Finished Ryle career with 4,763 rushing yards, 1,100 receiving yards and 75 touchdowns. Set the all-time Northern Kentucky single-game record with 449 rushing yards against Simon Kenton in 2017. Currently, he's a standout with the Dayton Flyers, rushing for 1,147 yards in 2019.

 

A.J. Collins, Cooper – One of a long line of standout running backs for the Jaguars in their short history. Second-team all-state pick for Cooper’s state runner-up team.

 

Travis Elliott, Ryle – Rushed for 2,215 yards in 2010, helping the Raiders to a 12-2 record and state semifinal appearance. Second-team all-state. Signed with Western Kentucky University.

 

Zach Harris, Highlands - Three-year starter from 2011-13, helping the Bluebirds win two state titles with two 1,000-yard seasons. Scored 66 career touchdowns. 

Chris Kelly, Newport Central Catholic – Second-team all-state in 2010 after leading Newport Central Catholic to a state championship. Had two seasons of more than 1,800 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns. Played for Eastern Kentucky.

Casey McGinness, Covington Catholic – The Colonels’ all-time leading rusher and scorer with more than 5,000 yards, ranking sixth in Northern Kentucky history. Graduated with 518 career points, ranking fourth in Northern Kentucky history. Key player on CovCath’s 2017 state championship team.

Quincy Perrin, Scott – The seventh player in Northern Kentucky history to reach 5,000 career rushing yards. Three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 68 career touchdowns. Key part of three straight district championships for the Eagles.

Dillon Powell, Simon Kenton – Second-team all-state pick in 2015. Rushed for more than 4,000 career yards for some of SK's most successful teams

Cameron Vocke, Beechwood – First-team all-state pick in 2011 for the Tigers after rushing for over 2,038 yards and 32 touchdowns that season. Scored 85 career touchdowns. One of the top five scorers in NKY history.

Honorable mention

Luke Zajac, Dixie Heights - Workhorse running back and fierce linebacker for the Colonels' 2014 state runner-up. 

 

Wide receiver/tight end

Jack Coldiron, Covington Catholic – The Miami (Ohio) signee was an all-state player for CovCath’s 2017 state champions.

Cameron Fogle, Conner – All-purpose player for the Cougars. Northern Kentucky player of the year and honorable mention all-state in 2012. Signed with Kentucky and later played two seasons at Eastern Kentucky.

Charles Gaines, Lloyd Memorial – Honorable mention all-state in 2015 after 966 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

Dante Hendrix, Cooper – First-team all-state in 2016 and Kentucky 6A player of the year. Set career marks of 171 receptions and 3,107 yards, both the highest in Northern Kentucky history. Signed with Indiana State, where he was the team’s leading receiver in the 2019 season.

 

Reid Jolly, Campbell County – Jolly, known more for basketball, had one of the best receiving seasons of the decade in 2018 with 63 catches for over 900 yards

Michael Mayer, Covington Catholic – Notre Dame signee was a key force in CovCath’s 2019 state championship team and won two statewide player of the year honors. Ranked in the top two tight ends in the country in the Class of 2020.

Aaron Morgan, Cooper – All-state receiver for Cooper in 2012 and key part of its state runner-up team.

Austin Sheehan, Highlands – Part of four state championship teams. First-team all-state in 2011, helping the Bluebirds to a state record 849 points and a 15-0 record. Had 1,013 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this season. Signed with UK.

Brett Slusher, Beechwood – First-team all-state in 2015. Beechwood’s all-time leading receiver. Had 59 catches for 1,150 yards and touchdowns for state runner-up team in 2015. Played for Kentucky and is a senior on the team in 2019.

Alex Veneman, Highlands – First-team all-state in 2014 after having 95 catches for 1,595 yards and 22 TDs for state champions.

Eric Walker, Holy Cross – Had 72 catches for 1,283 yards and 20 touchdowns in the Indians’ 2011 state championship season.

 

Offensive line

Parker Bisek, Ryle – Honorable mention all-state in 2017 and Toledo signee.

 

Mitch Dee, Highlands – First-team all-state in 2012 for Highlands’ state championship team.

Jake Geisler, Newport Central Catholic – First-team all-state in 2010. Basketball standout for NewCath who signed with Division I Jacksonville.

Ryan Hahn, Highlands – First-team all-state in 2010 for Highlands’ state championship team.

Bo Hebel, Highlands – Second-team all-state pick in 2015.

Branden Johnson, Dixie Heights – Anchor of the offensive line for Dixie’s state runner-up team in 2014. Second-team all-state. Signed with Austin Peay. Two-time state wrestling champion.

Lucas Jones, Covington Catholic – Three-year starter for the Colonels from 2017-19, helping the team to a 44-1 record and two state titles. Cornell signee.

Peyton Knippenberg, Conner – All-state lineman from some of Conner’s top offenses. Eastern Kentucky signee.

Cole Mosier, Walton-Verona – Second-team all-state in 2012. UK signee who played for the Wildcats and started at left tackle for one of the nation’s top offensive lines in 2016.

Sam Murrer, Covington Catholic – First-team all-state in 2014. Played for Miami (Ohio).

 

Lex Sowards, Ryle - Earned the 2013 Anthony Munoz Foundation Kentucky Offensive Lineman Of The Year. Blue/Grey All-American selection. Played and started for Indiana State.

 

Defensive line

Devin Bruns, Highlands – First-team all-state in 2011 for Highlands’ undefeated state champions.

Adam Derry, Beechwood – Two-time all-state selection for Tigers in state championship years of 2018 and 2019.

Seth Hope, Highlands – Second-team all-state for Highlands’ state championship team in 2012.

Branden Johnson, Dixie Heights – Second-team all-state on the defensive line for Dixie’s state runner-up 2014 team.

Maleek Lawrence, Newport Central Catholic – Honorable mention all-state in 2015.

John Lawrie, Covington Catholic – Defensive line leader for 2019 state champions and a three-year starter.

Cole Mosier, Walton-Verona – Second-team all-state in 2012, finishing second on the team in tackles.

Tucker Mueller, Simon Kenton – Honorable mention all-state in 2017.

Vuk Sajlovic, Simon Kenton – Defensive leader in 2019 and a three-year starter.

 

Tanner Teepen, Ryle - First team all-NKY who played for Morehead State.

 

Marcus Watson, Cooper – Second-team all-state in 2015.

 

Linebacker

Austin Baldwin, Simon Kenton – Second-team all-state in 2010.

Derrick Barnes, Holy Cross – First-team all-state in 2016 after driving the Indians to the state semifinals, playing linebacker and quarterback/running back. Currently a starter for Purdue.

Kam Butler, Covington Catholic – First-team all-state selection in 2017 after anchoring the defense for the state champion Colonels. Helped Miami (Ohio) to a bowl game this season.  

Jared Bowling, Simon Kenton – Second-team all-state in 2012.

Brian Carter, Simon Kenton -  Second-team all-state in 2016.

Grant Grubbs, Walton-Verona – Defensive leader of the Bearcats’ only state semifinal team (2018). 

Brycen Huddleston, Highlands – Veteran player for this year’s Highlands squad has committed to Eastern Michigan.

Chris Kelly, Newport Central Catholic – Second-team all-state for the Thoroughbreds in 2010, leading them to a state title.

Kyle Kelly, Newport Central Catholic– Veteran linebacker playing for Ohio University now.

 

Court Mace, Ryle – Anchor of Ryle’s defense in 2010 and honorable mention all-state pick.

 

Michael Mayer, Covington Catholic – Notre Dame and leading tackler for the Colonels. Anchor of defense the past two seasons.

 

Defensive back

Austin Abner, Highlands - First-team all-state in 2010 for Highlands’ state champions.

Drake Bruns, Highlands – First-team all-state with Abner for Highlands’ 2010 state champions.

Isaiah Ebarb, Conner – Honorable mention all-state pick in 2015.

Dylan Hayes, Newport Central Catholic – Second-team all-state for state title team in 2010.

Dante Hendrix, Cooper – Second-team all-state on defense in 2015 in addition to his offensive records.

Trent Kincaid, Simon Kenton – Honorable mention all-state in 2016.

Aaron Morgan, Cooper -  Honorable mention all-state pick in 2012 for Cooper’s state runner-up team. Had seven interceptions that year.

Carter New, Highlands – First-team all-state in 2011 for state champions, leading team with six interceptions.

Nelson Perrin, Scott – Three-sport standout who was honorable mention all-state for Scott’s district championship 2017.

Deondre Pleasant, Scott – Honorable mention all-state in 2015, anchoring the Eagles on both sides of the ball during their best-ever season (10-3)

Paul Ritter, Covington Catholic – Second-team all-state selection in 2010.

Special teams

Jared Dougherty, Highlands – Honorable mention all-state in 2015, making 11 field goals for the Bluebirds’ state semifinalist team.

Trey Gronotte, Covington Catholic – Shattered every school kicking record the past three years for the Colonels, helping them to a 44-1 record and two state titles. Has made 222 PATs and only missed five total In the previous two seasons. Has a strong leg and regularly gets touchbacks on kickoffs.

Sergio Gutierrez, Lloyd Memorial – Honorable mention all-state punter in 2014.

 

Mason Molique, Ryle – Currently with Eastern Kentucky University. Made 74 consecutive PATs in high school and 26 total field goals.

 

Joey Nussbaum, Beechwood – First-team all-state punter in 2011 for the Tigers.

Christian Seger, Simon Kenton – Made 10 straight field goals from 2017-18 to rank third in the KHSAA record books, and had 37 straight PATS in 2017 to also rank in the books.

Matt Shearer, Simon Kenton – Was an honorable mention all-state selection in 2017 before taking over at quarterback the following year.

Trent Wrobleski, Newport Central Catholic – All-state punter in 2016.