Expectations always are high for the Trinity High School football program, so despite the limited number of returning starters it’s no surprise to see the Shamrocks ranked No. 1 in Kentucky’s Class 6-A entering the season.
But a No. 19 national ranking in the USA Today preseason Super 25? Coach Bob Beatty never has been a fan of national rankings and quickly dismissed the notion of his team being that good – at least not at this point of the season.
“I’m quite sure Joe Schmo eating his third doughnut somewhere in New Jersey probably ranked that,” Beatty said with a smile. “That’s not something we enjoy or look at or concern ourselves with. Right now these guys are worried about if they’re going to be alive at 6:15 when we walk off the practice field.
“We have a lot of things in store for us before that.”
PHOTO GALLERY | Trinity-McCracken County scrimmage
There’s no question the Shamrocks are talented, but there are plenty of questions about how 18 new starters are going to come together when facing one of the state’s toughest schedules. The journey will begin Friday when Trinity travels to Nashville, Tennessee, to face Ensworth.
“We’re not a young team, but we’re inexperienced at the varsity level,” senior quarterback Spencer Blackburn said. “I think if we keep growing and stay together and stay focused, the state championship is the ultimate goal. We’ll see how it goes. That’s a long way away.”
Trinity received 10 of 13 first-place votes to take the top spot in Class 6-A in The Courier-Journal’s preseason poll of coaches. Defending state champion Male is No. 2, followed by St. Xavier, Scott County and Lafayette.
MORE COVERAGE | C-J preseason polls for all six classes
The No. 1 spot might seem high for a Trinity team that returns just four starters (one offense, three defense) from last year’s 11-2 squad that lost a 20-19 heartbreaker to Male in a state quarterfinal But Male returns even fewer starters (two), and St. X has managed just one victory in its past 11 meetings with the Shamrocks.
Beatty is optimistic but knows the schedule leaves little room for working through growing pains.
“We have some awfully good people we’re going to go against,” Beatty said. “We have a lot to work on.”
Blackburn (6 feet 2, 180 pounds) has been a quarterback in Trinity’s system since his freshman year and now will get the starting nod as a senior. If Friday’s scrimmage against McCracken County is any indication, Blackburn should prosper as he threw four touchdowns passes and rushed for another score in a 49-7 victory.
Blackburn said he’s excited about his important role in the offense.
“It’s a big responsibility, but I love handling big responsibilities,” he said. “It’s always been on me.”
Added Beatty: “Spencer has played quarterback all of his life. He’s not an apprentice. He’s a union guy. He’s been there for a while.”
Seniors Jovan Smith and Roderick Thomas got varsity experience last season and will share time at running back. Seniors Barron Hoffman, Jovel Smith, Noah Ellison and Collin McKinley lead a deep group of wide receivers. The offensive line is brand new and will be led by senior center Kyle Liebert (6-2, 245).
The defense could be the Shamrocks’ strength, especially early in the season. Sophomore Stephon Herron, a transfer from New Albany, leads a defensive line that arguably is the state’s best. Herron (6-4, 220 pounds) already has scholarship offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Indiana and Tennessee.
Seniors Jermaine Jackson (6-1, 265) and Darian Story (6-3, 230) and juniors Cody Auxier (5-11, 250) and Arack McDuffey (6-4, 226) add plenty of size and speed to the line. Seniors Luke Eskins (24 tackles, four interceptions) and Zyan Bethel (15 tackles, five interceptions) – both returning starters – anchor the back seven.
“The defense always starts at the front, but I wouldn’t say the line is the strong part of the defense,” Herron said. “We’re one defense and one team. I’d say we’re a strong defense as a whole.”
Trinity will get plenty of chances to show it’s the state best before the playoffs even start, facing Lafayette (Sept. 2), Male (Sept, 9), No. 10 Pleasure Ridge Park (Sept. 16) and St. Xavier (Sept. 30) during the regular season.
And if that tough slate includes a loss or two, Beatty is confident it will have his team ready for the playoff push in November.
“We’ve taken a black eye before,” Beatty said. “Black eyes heal.”
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.