Dixie Heights cheerleaders spent Thursday painting run-through banners in the school gym. On Aug. 21, the Colonels will burst through those banners when they host Simon Kenton to open the 2026 football season in Edgewood.
The Kenton County School District posted photos of the Aug. 13 session, calling it "a great day" as the cheer squad prepared for both football Fridays and upcoming competitions.
The regular season opens Aug. 21. Three area programs kick off within eight days of each other.
Dixie Heights: versatility after playoff heartbreak
The Colonels host Simon Kenton on Aug. 21 at Dixie Heights Stadium. According to LINK nky's preseason preview, Dixie Heights enters 2026 motivated by last November's playoff loss and breaking in a new starting quarterback. The roster has been reshuffled across positions, with players moving between running back and linebacker, receiver and quarterback, offense and defense.
The theme heading into 2026: versatility.
St. Henry: Year 2 under Odom
The Crusaders travel to Holy Cross in Covington on Aug. 21 for their second-ever varsity football opener. Head coach Tim Odom enters the season coaching through multiple surgeries while leading a roster that includes more than 20 freshmen, according to LINK nky's St. Henry preview.
St. Henry went 2-9 in its inaugural 2025 campaign but closed with a two-game winning streak, both Class 2A, District 5 victories. A new quarterback battle is underway as the program looks to build on that late momentum.
Beechwood: Rash returns, Fryman headlines
Beechwood opens a week later, hosting Indian Hill on Aug. 28 in Fort Mitchell. The Tigers have a new sideline boss after former coach Jay Volker left in May for a teaching position in Ohio. Noel Rash, hired in June, returns to lead the program he once coached.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that athletic director Ryan Boothe called Rash in early May, and Rash initially thought the call was about the school's annual golf outing.
Rash inherits a roster headlined by senior wide receiver Tyler Fryman, a four-star Kentucky commit ranked No. 203 nationally in the 2027 class. Fryman caught 45 passes for 1,023 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior, adding 277 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, according to Yahoo Sports.
What's next
Dixie Heights and St. Henry kick off at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21. Beechwood hosts Indian Hill on Aug. 28.
