The Boone County Rebels will get an early-season test when they travel to Erlanger to face St. Henry on Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. The Crusaders, entering just their second varsity season, return 10 offensive starters and nine defensive starters from a team that made the Class 2A playoffs in 2025.
St. Henry went 2-9 in its inaugural varsity campaign, absorbing seven double-digit losses and a 54-0 first-round playoff exit against Breathitt County. But head coach Tim Odom's squad qualified for the postseason by winning two district games, and nearly every starter who took the field last fall is back.
"We had to win two games to get in," Odom told the NKY Tribune. "We feel pretty confident that we can improve on that this year in district play."
Senior free safety Andrew Stewart leads the returning defense with 37 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries from 2025. He'll also line up at slot receiver. Senior lineman Zach Cline (6-foot-2, 290 pounds) anchors both lines, and junior quarterback Ivan Viveros takes over a position that was split among four players last season. Junior tight end and linebacker Jackson Auer (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) is a player Odom has called a future top-tier college recruit.
The game is non-district for both squads. St. Henry competes in Class 2A, District 5, while Boone County plays in Class 5A, District 6.
What it means for the Rebels
Boone County finished 4-7 in 2025 and made its first playoff appearance since 2018. Head coach Dan Court, now in his third season, returns five starters on each side of the ball and has set a clear target for 2026.
"We want to host playoff games," Court said in a July 31 NKY Tribune preview. "That's the motivation amongst the players."
To earn a home first-round game, the Rebels need a top-two finish in their district against Conner, Cooper, Dixie Heights and Scott. A non-district road win over a playoff-tested St. Henry squad would build early momentum, particularly for an offensive line that struggled in district play last season, managing just two touchdowns across three district losses.
The Rebels bring firepower of their own. Senior running back Malik Johnson rushed for 1,188 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, as we reported Aug. 4. Senior linebacker Javier Diaz recorded 117 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Safeties Jeremiah Sanchez and Liam Kolks combined for 122 tackles as underclassmen and both return.
The Rebels open the season at Holmes on Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. before the trip to St. Henry. Their home opener is Sept. 4, against Newport Central Catholic.
