SOUTH OLDHAM (10-3 in 2015)
Coach: Jamie Reed (seventh season, 47-23).
Starters back: Offense 7, defense 5.
Class: 5-A, District 3.
Player to watch: Graham Ashkettle. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound senior is a force on both the offensive and defensive lines (he earned all-district honors on both last year) and in the classroom (he scored a 34 on the ACT). He was a big reason the Dragons ranked sixth in 5-A in scoring offense and rushing, as well as third in scoring defense, last season.
Other top players: WR/CB Keanan John (Sr.), SB/DB Brandon Elsbury (Jr.), QB/DB Drew Zaubi (Jr.), RB/LB Andrew Baetens (Sr.), RB/LB Thomas Knabel (Sr.), FB/LB Bryce Kelly (Sr.), DL Darren Weathers (Sr.), RB/DB Payden George (So.), RB/DB Colton Bowlden (So.).
Outlook: The Dragons, who lost to Fern Creek by one point in last year’s state quarterfinals, will try to continue their recent run – they’ve averaged 8.5 wins and captured four district titles over the past four seasons. The offense should be very solid with the return of Zaubi (1,240 passing yards, 16 TDs), John (31 catches for 546 yards and six TDs) and Elsbury (450 yards, six TDs), who is coming back “fearless” from a torn ACL, according to Reed. On the other side of the ball South returns Baetens (68 tackles), John (62 stops), Knabel (55 tackles) and Ashkettle but must replace six starters. “We’re a little concerned about the defense right now coming together as fast as we would like,” Reed said.
Schedule:
8/19 ANDERSON COUNTY
8/26 at Doss
9/9 NORTH OLDHAM
9/16 BOONE COUNTY
9/23 *at Oldham County
9/30 *at Nelson County
10/7 *at Bullitt East
10/14 *at Bullitt Central
10/21 *NORTH BULLITT
10/28 at Shelby County
*-District game