After falling short in the 5A state tournament semifinals last season, Owensboro is wasting no time in seeing how they’ll stack up against the best in the state. They play a pair of 2023 state champs as well as a runner-up in 3 of the first 4 weeks, offering a chance for an electrifying kickoff to the 2024 season.
“We will be a seasoned group in some areas and youthful in others,” head coach Jay Fallin said. “We play a tough schedule out of the gate and will get better each week.”
Fallin wasn’t kidding about the front-loaded schedule. They will open the season this Friday at Rash Stadium against Christian Academy-Louisville. The pair faced off in Week 1 last year as well, with CAL earning a 28-14 win to start their 3A title-winning campaign.
In Week 2, OHS travels to reigning 5A champion Bowling Green for a pivotal rematch of a rival renewed over the last few seasons. Last year, Bowling Green defeated OHS 42-28 in the regular season before eliminating the Red Devils in the 5A semifinals 38-6.
Head coach Jay Fallin spoke briefly on his team’s plan of attack.
He said they plan to run multiple offensive schemes, primarily relying on the spread and 4-wide sets. Senior quarterback Trevor DeLacey, who threw for 2,165 yards and 22 touchdowns a year ago, will be in charge.
“He is poised, knows the offense, and executes at a high level,” Fallin said.
In the backfield is junior running back Evan Hampton. Last year, he rushed for 1,552 yards and 25 touchdowns — the most rushing yards in OHS history. He also led the Red Devils in receiving yards, catching 44 passes for 527 yards and two touchdowns. Hampton has received multiple NCAA Division 1 offers.
Fallin said the defense will run an odd front scheme, and the linebackers will be the focal point.
“Eli Hampton and Ty Ashley are back to anchor that group after starting most of the games last year together,” Fallin said. “They will be a difficult tandem to deal with.”
Last year, Hampton led the team in total tackles with 83 and added a sack, while Ashley recorded 39 total tackles and had two tackles for a loss.
After the first couple of weeks, OHS can turn attention toward reclaiming the city-county title, starting by facing Daviess County at home. The Red Devils will then make the short trip to Steele Stadium in hopes of redeeming themselves against Owensboro Catholic, as the Aces pulled off a last-second, action-packed 33-28 victory last season.
The Red Devils’ then head into district games, including home matchups against Graves County, Apollo, and Madisonville-North Hopkins, as well as road games against Marshall County and Muhlenberg County. Last year, they went 5-1 against district opponents, with their lone loss against Madisonville-North Hopkins. Owensboro will wrap up its regular season on the road at Henderson County on Nov. 1.
As in previous years, Fallin is an avid fan of the challenging schedule and said it continually molds well for a deep postseason run.
This year marks the 101st year of Red Devil football, a storied tradition within Kentucky. After celebrating last year’s centennial, the school system renovated Rash Stadium and installed new turf during the offseason.
