Tim Odom will have had 28 football-related surgeries by next spring. That number isn't stopping the St. Henry head coach from running practice every afternoon as the Crusaders prepare for their second varsity season.

Odom is undergoing six outpatient procedures this summer to correct nerve damage in his neck affecting both arms and shoulders, injuries he traces to his playing days at Moeller High School and Ohio State, according to LINK nky's Ray Schaefer. He schedules the surgeries in the mornings so he won't miss a single practice or game. A hip and knee replacement are planned for December through March, timed so Odom is clear for spring ball in April.

This isn't new territory for the veteran coach. Odom wore a boot on one foot for several weeks while serving as Dixie Heights' defensive coordinator from 1987 to 1989.

Three-way QB battle

The Crusaders lost 2025 starter Ryne Ravenscraft, who did not return, opening a competition among three signal-callers: junior Imer Viveros (216 passing yards, one touchdown in 2025), sophomore Cy Parento (128 yards, one score) and sophomore Kamare McClendon, a transfer from Lloyd Memorial.

None of the three has separated himself yet, giving the coaching staff a decision to make before the Aug. 21 opener at Holy Cross.

Pate brothers anchor the ground game

With leading rusher Caden Kunstek (519 yards, five touchdowns) graduated, brothers Lucas and Owen Pate become the offensive focal point. Junior Lucas Pate rushed for 338 yards and four touchdowns last fall playing running back and edge rusher. Sophomore Owen Pate added 115 yards and a score as the fullback and nose guard.

The brothers are 13 months apart in age. Lucas describes himself as the extrovert who peppers coaches with questions; Owen calls himself an introvert but says the second-year confidence is real.

"I would just say we know what to do more," Owen Pate told LINK nky. "It's, like, the same level of competitiveness with the other teams, but we just have more footing now this year."

Young roster, big ambitions

The 52-player roster includes more than 20 freshmen. Special teams coordinator Terry Durstock told LINK nky the youngest players are "probably still riding bikes around the neighborhoods."

St. Henry went 2-9 in its inaugural 2025 campaign, scoring 108 points while allowing 418. But the Crusaders earned a Class 2A, District 5 playoff berth with wins over Gallatin County and Owen County, and as we reported Aug. 5, the team returns nine defensive starters heading into this fall.

Senior safety Andrew Stewart leads the returning defense with 37 tackles. He also plays receiver and handles kicking duties while carrying a 4.03 weighted GPA and planning to attend the University of Louisville for pre-med. Sophomore receiver David Penick returns as the top pass-catcher with 25 receptions for 278 yards and a touchdown.

What's next

St. Henry opens Friday, Aug. 21 at Holy Cross with a 7 p.m. kickoff, then hosts Boone County on Friday, Aug. 28.