2025 High School Football Predictions: Promising Ryle Squad Could Secure First Class 6A State Championship for the Area
The Ryle Raiders football team is gearing up for a challenging yet exciting 2025 season, with high expectations riding on their shoulders. The team, which narrowly missed out on the Class 6A state title last year, is considered a strong contender to claim Northern Kentucky's first ever Class 6A state title.
With 16 of their 22 starters returning from the 2024 team that finished with a commendable 12-3 record, the Raiders boast a formidable lineup. The squad, which recorded eight straight running clocks over opponents during the 2024 season and started strongly in the state title game, is eager to make amends for their narrow loss to Louisville Trinity.
The Raiders' schedule for the upcoming season is no walk in the park, with tough matches against Covington Catholic, Cooper, CAL, and Highlands before district play. Key players in this ambitious lineup include University of Indiana commit Jacob Savage, Division I commit receiver/defensive back Dylan Lee (Colgate), and defensive end Bo Gay, who is attracting Division I attention.
Head coach Mike Engler, with an 83-51 record in 11 seasons, has expressed high expectations for the 2025 team, believing it has the potential to surpass the achievements of the 2024 squad.
The Ryle Raiders are ranked among the top teams in their class and are frequently mentioned alongside other top contenders such as Beechwood, Covington Catholic, Highlands, and Cooper to fight for regional and state titles this season.
The Raiders' offense will be bolstered by the return of nine starters, including Dameyn Anness and Jacob Savage. Anness, who racked up 1,472 yards on 140 carries in the 2024 season, and Savage, who scored 22 touchdowns and gained 1,056 yards, will form a powerful duo.
Nathan Verax returns as quarterback for the Raiders, having passed for 2,374 yards and 30 TD in the 2024 season. Gavin Moses, considered by Engler to be one of the best kickers in the state, will continue his role as the Raiders' kicker.
Engler is uncertain about how he'll work Anness and Savage together on the field, but he hopes the team won't have nine running clocks in games this season. The Raiders are in Class 6A, District 6 with Campbell County, Great Crossing, and Simon Kenton.
The Ryle Raiders' 2025 schedule includes games against Covington Catholic, Cooper, Conner, Christian Academy Louisville, Highlands, Lexington Tates Creek, Campbell County, Great Crossing, Simon Kenton, and Dixie Heights. Early season games against Cooper and Covington Catholic will add an extra layer of motivation to those matches for the team.
The Ryle Raiders lost in the Class 6A state championship game in 2024, but with their strong lineup and high spirits, they are determined to make a comeback and bring home the state title this year.
- The Ryle Raiders, hailing from Northern Kentucky, are poised for a significant 2025 season in American football, aiming toclaim the first ever Class 6A state title for Northern Kentucky.
- As the team gears up for the upcoming season, they boast a strong lineup, with sports analysis forecasting them as strong contenders for regional and state titles in NCAA Football, and even compared to other top teams like Beechwood, Covington Catholic, Highlands, and Cooper.
- Key players for the Raiders include University of Indiana commit Jacob Savage, Division I commit receiver/defensive back Dylan Lee (Colgate), and defensive end Bo Gay, who is attracting Division I attention.
- In Campbell County's Class 6A District 6, the Raiders will face off against rivals like Great Crossing and Simon Kenton, along with their tough pre-district matches against Covington Catholic, Cooper, Highlands, Conner, Christian Academy Louisville, Lexington Tates Creek, Dixie Heights, and others.
- With nine returning starters, including Dameyn Anness and Jacob Savage, the Raiders' offense will be a force to reckon with in this year's football season, as they aim to rectify their narrow loss to Louisville Trinity in the Class 6A state title game last year.
