The NKyTribune is featuring each of the 21 high school football teams in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties leading up to the first games of the 2017 season on Aug. 18. We will then provide focused coverage of our local teams throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.
By Evan Merrill
NKyTribune contributor
The new head coach of the Ludlow football team said the players needed an attitude adjustment after last season when the Panthers lost four games by five points or less and finished with a 3-8 record following a first-round loss in the Class 1A playoffs..
Justin Blackburn is returning to the quarterback position for the Ludlow football team this season. (Photo from Ludlow football team)
“Last year, we had some guys that were more worried about the individualism,” coach Greg Taphouse said. “So when things were going wrong, they were getting upset and kind of jumping (down) each others throats. That’s where we kind of fell off.”
Taphouse, the defensive coordinator on last year’s team, has been addressing that issue since he was hired to replace former Ludlow head coach Rick Hornsby, who retired after compiling a 35-64 record in nine seasons.
“The opportunity was great. I was very excited when I found out I was in the running (for head coach),” Taphouse said. “Hornsby’s done a great job with the program for the past 10 years or so. I definitely want to step in and keep that rolling, keep the class and respect he’s built here.”
Taphouse is counting on good senior leadership to make his transition to head coach go well. The most experienced senior on the roster is Justin Blackburn, a standout performer on both sides of the ball the last two seasons.
Blackburn played quarterback and linebacker as a sophomore. He finished with team-high totals of 1,313 yards rushing, 1,267 yards passing, 76 points scored and 118 tackles. Last year, he moved to running back and led the team in rushing with 1,111 yards. He also scored 64 points and made 75 tackles to lead the team in both of those categories once again.
This season, Blackburn is returning to the quarterback position to run the offense. Taphouse is also counting on the senior veteran to establish a culture of winning and mental toughness.
“He’s always telling me to be encouraging, be a positive leader,” Blackburn said. “Unlike last year, I would get mad and keep my head down. I’ve changed this year and I’m looking forward to a better year as a team.”
The versatile Blackburn’s play-making ability will be a crucial part of the Panthers’ offensive schemes. He’ll also be a key player in a defensive unit that allowed 132 points in the four biggest games on last year’s schedule — three Class 1A district games and a loss in the first round of the playoffs.
“Justin definitely elevates our game,” Taphouse said. “He’ll be starting the year for us at quarterback, just getting the ball in his hands and have him figure out what to do with it has always been our go-to.”
As they prepare for the upcoming season, Ludlow’s players are determined to make up for the close losses that resulted in a losing record last year.
“I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that we’re not thinking about those four or five games that we lost,” Taphouse said. “We’re taking everything personal this year. I think it’s going to be a fun year to watch.”
Ludlow’s best record in the last nine years under Hornsby was 6-5 in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The new head coach would like to see the Panthers do better than that this season.
“If we play as a unit, play all four quarters, this could be a record-setting year for this group of kids.” Taphouse said.
LUDLOW PANTHERS
2016 SEASON: 3-8 record, lost in first round of Class 1A playoffs.
DISTRICT: Class 1A, District 4 with Beechwood, Bellevue and Dayton.
HEAD COACH: Greg Taphouse (first season as head coach).
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 – at Carroll County, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 – at Bracken County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 – GALLATIN COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 – NEWPORT, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 – WILLIAMSBURG, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 – BROSSART, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 – at Dayton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 – at Beechwood, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20 – BELLEVUE, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 – at Paris, 7 p.m.
Other NKyTribune prep football previews:
DAYTON GREENDEVILS
COVINGTON CATHOLIC COLONELS
BISHOP BROSSART MUSTANGS
WALTON-VERONA BEARCATS
COOPER JAGUARS
SCOTT EAGLES
