In 2025, Anticipated Previews for High School Football: Following the unpredictable 2024 season, Walton-Verona's coach is leading a more seasoned squad
The Walton-Verona Bearcats Football Team is gearing up for the 2025 season under the leadership of head coach Gary Pence, who is entering his second year at the helm. Last season, the team struggled early but managed to finish strong, culminating in a playoff appearance [2].
Key players returning for the 2025 season include senior quarterback Avery Howe, who missed six games last year, and wide receiver Brayden Donato, who is expected to be the leading receiver for the team this season [1]. However, Michael Oldfield, the leading receiver from the previous season, sustained a dislocated knee during spring break and may not return until October [1].
The Bearcats' 2025 schedule is packed with challenging matches, starting with Bishop Brossart at home on August 22, followed by games against Ludlow, Boone County, Harrison County, Bracken County, and others [3]. One of the highlights of the schedule is a home game against defending champion Beechwood on October 3 [3].
Coach Pence's priorities for the upcoming season are improving the team's home game performance (the team was 0-5 at home but 5-1 on the road last year) and securing a high district seed (1 or 2) to host a playoff game in Class 2A, District 5 [1].
AJ Yutze, a junior, is the team's top returnee on defense, having recorded a team-high 99 tackles last season. Brayden Donato and junior Cooper Burch are the returning starters in the defensive backfield, while Andrew Lynn, a sophomore, is expected to fill the void left by Carter Daniels, who accounted for 70% of the team's rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns last season [1]. Andrew Lynn is described as "pound for pound" the best athlete on the team in terms of size, strength, and speed [1].
Avery Howe returned mid-season last year and passed for 685 yards and 10 touchdowns in the final five games [2]. Senior wide receiver Brayden Donato will be one of Avery Howe's primary targets in the air. AJ Yutze is expected to stand out as "one of the best linebackers in Northern Kentucky" [1].
The team is fortunate to have nine starters returning on offense and six on defense, providing a solid foundation for the upcoming season [1]. With Avery Howe now fully healthy, he enters his senior season as the main weapon on offense [2]. Andrew Lynn is also expected to continue his double duties at safety in addition to rushing [2].
The Walton-Verona Bearcats are focused on building on the late 2024 momentum, managing injury challenges, and aiming for stronger home field success in 2025 under Gary Pence's leadership. The team was eliminated in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs last season and will be looking to make a deeper run this year [2].
- The Walton-Verona Bearcats Football Team is preparing for the 2025 season in Boone County, Northern Kentucky, under the guidance of head coach Gary Pence, who is planning to enhance the team's home game performance and secure a high district seed for home playoff games in Class 2A, District 5.
- Avery Howe, the senior quarterback, is expected to be the primary weapon on offense, following a successful return mid-season last year, passing for 685 yards and 10 touchdowns in the final five games.
- The Bearcats' schedule for the 2025 season is filled with challenging matches, including a home game against defending champion Beechwood on October 3, and their season opener against Bishop Brossart on August 22.
- The team is fortunate to have numerous key players returning, such as senior quarterback Avery Howe, wide receiver Brayden Donato, and junior AJ Yutze, who recorded a team-high 99 tackles last season and is predicted to be one of the best linebackers in Northern Kentucky.
- Andrew Lynn, a sophomore, is expected to fill the void left by Carter Daniels, who contributed 70% of the team's rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns last season, while also continuing his double duties at safety in 2025.
