Three area football programs hit the field Friday, Sept. 25, with district records on the line for the first time in the 2026 season.
Dixie Heights hosts Scott at 7 p.m. in a Class 5A, District 6 matchup between two 1-4 teams. Beechwood, ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A statewide media poll, travels to Owen County at 7:30 p.m. for a District 5 opener. St. Henry visits Gallatin County at 7:30 p.m. in the same district.
Dixie Heights vs. Scott: 7 p.m.
Both squads are 1-4. Dixie Heights head coach Patrick Burke, who entered the season 15-30 in three years with the Colonels, faced a non-district schedule that included losses to Badin and Covington Catholic. Senior Levi Gilliland has emerged as the Colonels' engine. The Cincinnati Enquirer nominated him for athlete of the week after he ran for 270 yards and three touchdowns, made six tackles and grabbed an interception against Henry Clay.
Scott's lone win came in Week 4, a 40-6 rout of Grant County that gave first-year head coach Dustin Trimnell his first varsity coaching victory, Link NKY reported.
"Our team has done a phenomenal job preparing for the 2026 season," Burke said during August preseason previews. "We have a very close-knit group of guys who hold each other accountable."
The winner gains early positioning in a district that also includes Boone County, Conner and Cooper. Dixie Heights travels to Cooper on Oct. 2 and to Conner on Thursday, Oct. 8.
No. 1 Beechwood at Owen County: 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers carry a 4-0 record and all 12 first-place votes in the Class 2A statewide media poll into their district opener, according to Link NKY. Head coach Noel Rash returned to Beechwood after a three-year absence and has compiled a 197-46 career record across 18 seasons. The program went 11-2 in 2025, falling to Owensboro Catholic 41-40 in the Class 2A region finals.
Beechwood's offense runs through Nathan Pabst and Tyler Fryman, who have combined for 1,100 yards from scrimmage, per WLWT's Blitz 5 rankings. Pabst accounted for 201 yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers' 42-35 win over Covington Catholic on Sept. 18, scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the final 30 seconds. Fryman, a senior committed to the University of Kentucky for football and baseball, has 538 yards from scrimmage. Senior quarterback Emmett Queen, a Wake Forest commit, threw for 2,710 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2025.
Owen County enters at 2-2 but has been outclassed by stronger competition. Dayton beat Owen County 56-0 in Week 3.
Beechwood hosts Walton-Verona on Oct. 2 and visits St. Henry on Oct. 9.
St. Henry at Gallatin County: 7:30 p.m.
The Crusaders are in just their second year of varsity football. They have already matched their 2025 win total of two. Running back Lucas Pate ranks fourth in KHSAA statewide rushing with 549 yards. He and brother Owen Pate combined for 272 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 49-14 win over Bellevue on Sept. 12.
Gallatin County has struggled against Northern Kentucky opponents this fall. Newport shut out the Wildcats 50-0 in Week 3, and Ludlow won 47-23 in Week 5.
St. Henry beat both Gallatin County and Owen County in district play during its inaugural 2025 season. A win Friday would give the Crusaders a strong start toward earning a home playoff game in Class 2A, District 5. St. Henry hosts Beechwood on Oct. 9.
