Simon Kenton in 2008, Dixie Heights in 2014 and Ryle in 2024.
What do the three have in common?
They’re the closest to claim a Class 6A KHSAA state football title, unable to clear the final hurdle of beating Trinity, finishing runner-up in those respective seasons.
Since the KHSAA expanded to six classes in 2007, a Northern Kentucky school has failed to claim a title in the biggest class in the state in 6A. That could certainly change in 2025.
Ryle had quite the impressive season in 2024, and there’s certainly a lot of meat left on that bone for the Raiders in 2025. They return 16 of 22 starters from their 12-3 state runner-up team in ’24. Last year’s dominance came with eight straight running clocks against opponents and owned a 14-0 lead over Trinity in the state title game before the Shamrocks rallied to a 42-23 victory.
“You can’t knock that experience, these guys played 17 games last year when counting scrimmages. That’s nearly two seasons of football,” Raiders coach Mike Engler said. “We have 10 three-year starters. Ten of the seniors started as sophomores three years ago, we made the quarterfinals against Bryan Station that year. Having what I think is the best football player in the state helps as well with Jacob Savage. There’s no doubt he’s a top five preseason Mr. Football candidate. It’s not just his offense, but his defense as well.”
A loaded schedule will have the Raiders ready, prior to district play, they’ll take on top 15 in the state opponents regardless of class in Covington Catholic, Cooper, CAL and Highlands.
“On top of hopefully wins, you play tough teams to get you ready,” Engler said. “It helps RPI. Last year we were lucky enough to play four games at home leading into the state championship. Come playoff time, if you can fire the cannon at home, it makes a huge difference.”
With what’s returning and quarterback Nathan Verax entering his second season as starter, Ryle could hit the ground running right away. They went through some growing pains early on with Verax going 4-2 with tight losses to Cooper and St. Xavier. Nathan succeeded his older brother Logan off one of the best statistical careers NKY quarterbacks has ever seen. With a year at quarterback under his belt, the game has slowed down for Verax and he’s approaching the 2025 season with the utmost confidence.
“I just feel like I’m picking things up quicker, getting that year, it was a long year, I got a lot of experience playing,” Verax said. “This year has been slowing down for me way more than it did last year. There’s also a lot of comfort knowing I’ve played with these guys and trust all of them being in the right spots.”
In addition to what’s returning, they added a well accomplished player from Ludlow in Dameyn Anness. Anness, a senior, transferred over from Ludlow, bringing 3,125 rushing yards in his first three seasons with 33 rushing touchdowns. He also has 262 tackles defensively. Pair him with Savage at running back and adding him to an already stout defense adds another weapon for a deep Raiders team.
“Great kid. Nothing but first class since he’s got here,” Engler said. “Take the fact he was the leading rusher in NKY last season with what we have, I wouldn’t want to try and line up and defend us. On defense, he’ll be a strong safety for us.”
They certainly won’t lack star power, highlighted by University of Indiana commit Jacob Savage. They have another Division I commit in receiver/defensive back Dylan Lee (Colgate) while defensive end Bo Gay is also drawing Division I interest. Division I interest won’t be the only attention Gay draws this year, he’ll be the focal point of a lot of defenses off the edge with Dillon Smith graduated and playing his freshman season at the University of Louisville.
“Up front we’ll be dominant again,” Gay said. “We have a lot of starters back and we’ll. look to dominate. I know Dillon is gone, but what I have behind me in three-year starters Jacob Savage and Kai (Workman), that makes me feel a lot better and makes things easier up front.”
Lee may not be what Landon Lorms was able to provide out wide, but he brings a different element…blazing speed.
“One thing we won’t be able to replace is Landon Lorms. He brought more than catching every ball. His attitude was he was going to catch every ball no matter who was on him. He always thought he was open in his mind,” Engler said. “That’s hard to replace. Dylan uses his speed, Landon uses his body. They’re different receivers. But if you take our backfield and then you have Dylan Lee who runs a 4.4 (40-yard dash), that’s hard to defend without someone over the top.”
Hunger has been a key word for the Raiders. While the trip to Kroger Field as one of the last teams standing in the state was nice, this year they only have one thing in mind…to win it.
“Everyone still has something left to prove. Getting to Kroger Field was awesome, but everyone wants to win it and go back,” Verax said. “The key is taking it one week at a time through practice and hunger in getting back to that point.”
The potential for Ryle to break the NKY 6A drought is certainly there for the taking.
