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2019 Prep Football Previews: Senior expects Simon Kenton’s successful decade to end on high note


The NKyTribune has featured each of the 21 high school football teams in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties leading up to the first games of the 2019 season on Friday. We will provide focused coverage of our local teams throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.

By Cody Johnson
NKyTribune contributor

The best decade in the history of the Simon Kenton football program will come to an end this year and coach Jeff Marksberry expects the Pioneers’ winning ways to continue.

“We have 28 seniors and they will work hard to lead us to another successful season in 2019,” Marksberry said. “They understand that our schedule is tough and that they must work to get better each day.”

Simon Kenton defensive player Vuk Sajlovic, left, breaks up a pass attempt in last year’s game against Beechwood. (Photo by Dale Dawn)

Over the last nine years, Simon Kenton teams have compiled an 89-27 record for a 76.7 winning percentage. Five of the last six teams have won 11 or more games. If that trend continues, the Pioneers’ win total for the decade could reach 100 or higher.

With six returning starters on offense and five on defense, there’s no reason to think the Pioneers will have a drop-off this season. The team has a two-platoon system so players get to focus on a position until they’re ready for a starting role.

“We have a lot of guys stepping up this year who didn’t start last year,” said senior defensive end Vuk Sajlovic. “We have a lot of depth and I think we’ll be just fine. I think we’ll win a lot of ball games again.”

Sajlovic said his parents are from Bosnia and immigrated to America before he was born. In his family’s native language, his first name means “wolf.” That’s a fitting moniker for a football player on the prowl to make tackles.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound senior made 81 stops as a nose guard on last year’s Simon Kenton team that made it to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs and finished with a 10-3 record. He moved to defensive end to help offset the graduation of the top three tacklers on that team.

Vuk Sajlovic

“There were definitely some challenges at first, but (assistant) coach (Keith) Walton has been coaching me up pretty well,” Sajlovic said. “I think I’ve gotten a lot better at the position and I’m ready to go.”

Simon Kenton has a new defensive coordinator. Dave Drake got the job after working with the team’s secondary the last seven years. He’ll be counting on Sajlovic and defensive tackle Jack Milton for senior leadership on that side of the ball.

“These two defensive linemen are both talented and have the ability to rush the quarterback and play a solid run defense,” Marksberry said. “We will be leaning on our defensive line, but we have several senior and junior linebackers ready to step up to the playing field as well as our defensive backs.”

On offense, Simon Kenton lost two 1,000-yard rushers to graduation. The team’s primary ball carrier will be senior Austin Hammack, who picked up 667 yards in 10 games last season.

The new starting quarterback will likely be freshman Chase Crone. He’s taking over a key position in the Pioneers’ offensive scheme. In each of the last four seasons, the quarterback has provided at least 2,400 yards in passing and rushing combined.

SIMON KENTON PIONEERS
2018 SEASON:  10-3 record, lost in third round of Class 6A playoffs.
DISTRICT:  Class 6A, District 6 with Campbell County, Dixie Heights, Ryle.
HEAD COACH:  Jeff Marksberry (145-81 in 18 seasons at Simon Kenton).

2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 – vs. Henry Clay at Lexington Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 – ANDERSON (Ohio), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 – at Oak Hills (Ohio), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 – HIGHLANDS, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 – TAYLOR COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 – at Johnson Central, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 – DIXIE HEIGHTS, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 – CAMPBELL COUNTY, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 – at Ryle, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 – at Little Miami (Ohio), 7 p.m.

Other NKyTribune prep football previews

CAMPBELL COUNTY CAMELS
COVINGTON CATHOLIC COLONELS
CONNER COUGARS
BROSSART MUSTANGS
HOLY CROSS INDIANS
SCOTT EAGLES
BOONE COUNTY REBELS
RYLE RAIDERS
HOLMES BULLDOGS
BELLEVUE TIGERS
DIXIE HEIGHTS COLONELS
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC THOROUGHBREDS
HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS
WALTON-VERONA BEARCATS
DAYTON GREENDEVILS
COOPER JAGUARS
LLOYD JUGGERNAUTS
LUDLOW PANTHERS
BEECHWOOD TIGERS
NEWPORT WILDCATS


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