By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
If you happen to visit the Ryle football team’s website, three words in orange bold uppercase letters — TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES — command your attention.
That pronouncement will be put to the test since most of the starters on last year’s 10-4 Ryle team that made it to the Class 6A state semifinals have graduated. But coach Mike Engler expects the returning Raiders to prove it’s true.
“Keep us flying under the radar,” Engler quipped. “I want people to think we’re going to be down. I think we’re going to be pretty good. If we stay healthy, we’ve got a chance to be really good.”
Engler has established a winning tradition with the Ryle program. In his 12 seasons as head coach, the Raiders have compiled a 93-55 record, won three region titles and one state runner-up trophy.
The graduation of Jacob Savage is one reason people expect a letdown this season. The Indiana University recruit was the Raiders’ leader in rushing yards, touchdowns and tackles the last two years.
The team also lost starting quarterback Nathan Verax and the top two pass receivers from an offensive unit that averaged 362 yards per game last season.
Ryle’s four returning starters on offense are junior tackle Max Parsons (6-4, 265), senior tackle Elliott Lageman (6-4, 330), senior guard Max Neumann (6-1, 280) and senior wide receiver Cruze Sauley.
Parsons, a top-notch student, is drawing the most attention from Division I college recruiters, receiving offers from Akron, Georgetown Harvard, Penn and Miami of Ohio.
After a camp at Harvard, a scout wrote: “His 6-foot-4 frame and 80-inch wingspan give him the length to engage defenders early while his footwork allowed him to stay balanced during pass protection drills.”
The new starting quarterback for the Raiders will be sophomore Brody Smith, who saw action in four varsity games last year when a running clock was used after the Raiders took a big lead.
“I have nothing but praise for what he has done so far,” coach Engler said of Smith’s transition to a starting role. “He can run the ball when he needs to. We won’t run him as much as we did Nate (Verax), but his ability to throw the ball and put it in places where receivers can catch it is really good.”
The five returning starters on defense are listed as safeties Evan Kincaid and Grant Foley, cornerback Xavier Collins, linebacker Andrew Smith and defensive end Jesse Nunn. All of them are seniors except Foley.
Last season, Kincaid had a team-high seven pass interceptions. On the list of leading tacklers, Smith was third with 58, followed by Foley (57) and Collins (52).
Engler said a lot of other players got varsity playing experience last season when they replaced starters in nine victories that ended with a running clock. The Raiders won their three district seeding games by margins of 54, 26 and 28 points to take the title for the third straight year.
It will be interesting to see how the new-look Ryle team comes together during the first six weeks of this season when they play non-district opponents. The Raiders went 3-3 in those games last year. Then they won seven in a row before losing to South Warren, 36-20, in the Class 6A semifinals.
A good start would also move Engler closer to the 100 mark in career wins at Ryle. He needs seven to reach that milestone.
“Honestly, I didn’t realize that until I was writing up the (season preview) the other day,” he said. “It would be a nice accomplishment to get this year. In the regular season, it would be even better.”
RYLE RAIDERS
2025 SEASON: 10-4 record, lost to South Warren, 36-20, in semifinals of Class 6A playoffs.
STARTERS RETURNING: 4 offense, 5 defense.
DISTRICT: Class 6A, District 6 with Campbell County, Great Crossing, Simon Kenton.
HEAD COACH: Mike Engler (93-55 in 12 seasons at Ryle).
2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 – COVINGTON CATHOLIC, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 – at Conner, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 – at Cooper, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 – at Christian Academy of Louisville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 – HIGHLANDS, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 – at Lexington Tates Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – CAMPBELL COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 – GREAT CROSSING, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 – at Simon Kenton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 – at Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.