Upcoming 2025 High School Football Season Previews: St. Henry Athletes Adjusting to New Positions Ahead of the Team's Debut Varsity Campaign
The St. Henry Crusaders, a co-ed Catholic school in Erlanger, are gearing up for their first varsity football season, set to begin on August 22 against Holy Cross. This historic moment marks a significant milestone for the 91-year-old institution.
In their first scrimmage game on Saturday morning, the Crusaders showcased promising plays, including a successful deep route connection between Ryne Ravenscraft and Caden Kunstek. However, the team suffered a 47-0 loss, with two turnovers and five penalties compared to Holy Cross's none and 13 penalties for 130 yards. Coach Tim Odom, the head coach of the Crusaders, emphasized the importance of building a foundation of knowledge and technique, maintaining an optimistic outlook for the team as they start a new tradition.
Ravenscraft, a junior, stepped into the role of quarterback last year and will lead the first-team offense in the upcoming season. Another key player is sophomore Luca Pate, who served as the primary ball carrier in the scrimmage. Senior Will Miller, described by Coach Odom as aggressive, instinctive, and all-in on every play, shines on the defensive line, considered the team's best player at linebacker.
Caden Kunstek, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound wide receiver and cornerback, is among the seniors recovering from injuries sustained last season. He expressed satisfaction with the team's performance against a more experienced team, acknowledging room for improvement. Four other seniors, Brennan Lemmond, Gunnar Ditrick, Gabe Larkins, and Caden Kunstek, serve as co-captains.
The Crusaders' schedule includes five consecutive district seeding games that will determine whether they make the Class 2A playoffs in their inaugural varsity campaign. They will face off against teams like Boone County, Brossart, Bellevue, Gallatin County, Owen County, Beechwood, Bracken County, Walton-Verona, and Ludlow. The season opener will be a home game against Holy Cross, a rematch from their inaugural varsity game, which they lost earlier.
Construction crews working on the road in front of St. Henry High School are making steady progress to complete the project. Despite the challenges, the team and the school community remain focused on the upcoming season, eager to make their mark in Class 2A District 5. As Coach Odom puts it, as long as they continue to improve, the team will progress, although the outcome in terms of wins remains uncertain.
The Crusaders, competing in their first varsity football season, will face teams like Boone County, an opponent they've scheduled for a district seeding game. Caden Kunstek, a senior and vital player for the team, expressed confidence in their performance against more experienced teams, despite conceding room for improvement. Coach Tim Odom, heading the Crusaders, emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation, even as they face stiff competition in NCAA-football, specifically in American-football matches. Regular sports analysis may prove valuable in assessing the team's progress, as they prepare to make their mark in Class 2A District 5.
