Ludlow Football Gears Up for 2025 Season, Aiming for Third Consecutive District Championship with Their Experienced Squad
Ludlow Panthers Gear Up for 2025 Season with Focus on District Play and Post-Season
The Ludlow Panthers, under the guidance of head coach John "Woody" McMillen, are preparing for an exciting 2025 football season. With a record of 16-9 in two seasons at Ludlow and an overall record of 36-43, McMillen is determined to expose his players to multiple styles of offense and defense to prepare for district play and the post-season.
The Panthers have a rich history, having ended a 48-season drought without a district title when McMillen took charge of the program. In the 2024 season, they managed an impressive 8-4 record, only to be eliminated in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs.
This year, the Panthers find themselves in Class 1A, District 4, competing against Brossart, Holy Cross, and Trimble County. The team's schedule includes three new opponents compared to last year. Notable games include matches against Walton-Verona, Dayton, Gallatin County, Bellevue, Trimble County, Brossart, Holy Cross, St. Henry, and no home game is scheduled for Oct. 3.
Key players returning for the Panthers include sophomore quarterback Miller Reed, who threw for 880 yards with 10 touchdowns last season, and senior Jackson Mays, a versatile "Swiss Army Knife" contributor with passing, rushing, receiving, and defensive stats. Sophomore running back Nicholi Abbott, a new addition to the team, brings versatility and defensive potential.
The defense will rely on junior Jacob Cook, the leading returning tackler, along with secondary starters Mays, sophomore Andre Englemon Jr., and junior Jaylen Stone. Deaken Reed, a freshman, is expected to have a breakout season as the Panthers' quarterback, according to McMillen, and will also see action at running back and linebacker, having been labeled one of the team's most physical players.
The upcoming schedule features several district matchups and rivalry games important for the Panthers' playoff aspirations, such as games against Trimble County, Bishop Brossart, Holy Cross, Bellevue, Newport, and Kentucky Country Day.
The season opener for the Ludlow Panthers is against the Newport Wildcats on Aug. 22, a team that defeated the Panthers, 32-30, during the 2024 regular season and handed them a 23-7 loss in the playoffs. The Panthers aim to defend their Class 1A, District 4 title and return to the post-season playoffs.
Nico Abbott, a sophomore who transferred from New York, is expected to contribute significantly to the Panthers, with McMillen describing him as "exceptional, physical, and a great addition to our program." The team will also be without Dameyn Anness, the team's leading rusher and scorer for the last two years, who has transferred to Ryle for his final high school season.
As the Panthers gear up for the 2025 season, they are focused on building around their returning offensive leaders and rebuilding a defense that lost most of its top tacklers. With a challenging schedule ahead, the team is determined to make another run at the district title and the post-season.
[1] "Ludlow Panthers 2025 Football Schedule Announced" - Ludlow Panthers Official Website [2] "Ludlow Panthers Aim for District Title and Post-Season Playoffs in 2025" - Northern Kentucky Sports Network [3] "Newport Wildcats Defeat Ludlow Panthers in Playoffs, Ending Their Season" - Cincinnati Enquirer
- The Ludlow Panthers, seeking to defend their district title and advance to the post-season playoffs, are looking forward to a diverse training regimen that incorporates both health-focused fitness activities and intense practice sessions for sports like football, American football, and NCAA football.
- In addition to traditional sports, the team is also considering incorporating team sports like soccer or basketball to better prepare for the unpredictable plays they may encounter during district play and the post-season.
- The Ludlow Panthers, under the guidance of head coach John "Woody" McMillen, believe that maintaining good health through proper nutrition, mental preparation, and regular exercise will be crucial for their success in the 2025 season.
