By Jake Dickman
NKyTribune sports reporter
A 2-9 record for any high school football team is far from satisfactory. That’s how St. Henry’s first varsity season ended last year, but coach Tim Odom wasn’t disheartened.
The Crusaders planned to field freshman and junior varsity teams in 2025 and then play their first varsity season in 2026. But that changed and they ended up with mostly freshmen and sophomores in starting positions on Friday nights.
That resulted in seven losses by double-digit margins ranging from 14 to 70 points. But the young, inexperienced St. Henry team did win two games against Class 2A district opponents to earn a spot in the state playoffs.
“We had to win two games to get in,” Odom said. “We feel pretty confident that we can improve on that this year in district play.”
The Crusaders enter their second varsity season with nine returning defensive starters and 15 players with experience in offensive positions, according to the coach.
“The confidence they have is the confidence in themselves,” Odom said. “They’ve worked extremely hard in the offseason. As far as individual confidence in their ability to play the game, it’s much improved.”
One of the returning seniors is Zach Cline, who will anchor both lines as a 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive guard and defensive tackle. Odom describes him as “very physical” in the trenches and one of the most improved players in the program.
St. Henry’s top returning defensive player is senior free safety Andrew Stewart, who had 37 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries last season.
“Andrew is the perfect example of the St. Henry student,” according to coach Odom. “He is foremost a great student, a natural leader, quick-footed, full of grit, active in service to the community and driven to improve.”
Stewart will also play slot receiver on offense with junior Ivan Viveros as the starting quarterback. He was one of four players who lined up behind center for the Crusaders last season.
Odom feels good about the senior class and its ability to lead. The other experienced players in the junior class include running back/linebacker Lucas Pate, receiver/cornerback Quincy Thom and Jackson Auer, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound tight end and linebacker.
“Jackson is on a fast track to become one of our first top-tier college recruits,” said Odom. His academic success, height, frame and year-round work ethic give him the capacity to become a future NCAA player.”
For the third-straight year, there has been a lot of turnover on the St. Henry coaching staff. The current group Odom put together includes his father, Bobby, and his son, Jake.
“I’m having the time of my life,” Odom said. “I mean, I knew it was going to be exciting to be with both of them, but I can’t explain the high that I’m running on.”
The revamped coaching staff hopes to lift the fledgling St. Henry program to a new level this season. In a packet sent to the media, the goal is “turning those first accomplishments into habits, standards, and traditions that future Crusaders can inherit.”
ST. HENRY CRUSADERS
2025 SEASON: 2-9 record, lost to Breathitt County, 54-0, in first round of Class 2A playoffs.
STARTERS RETURNING: 10 offense, 9 defense.
DISTRICT: Class 2A, District 5 with Beechwood, Bracken County, Gallatin County, Owen County, Walton-Verona.
HEAD COACH: Tim Odom (2-9 record in one season at St. Henry, 20-44 in six seasons with two Northern Kentucky teams).
2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21 – at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 – BOONE COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 – at Brossart, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 – BELLEVUE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 – at Gallatin County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – at Owen County, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – BEECHWOOD, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 – BRACKEN COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 – at Walton-Verona, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 – at Ludlow, 7 p.m.