The 2025 football season officially kicks off tonight, and there’s plenty to keep an eye on with area teams. Owensboro and Daviess County play their first games under a new head coach – Apollo, Hancock County, and McLean County are all hosting home games – Owensboro travels to St. Xavier, and on Saturday, Owensboro Catholic will travel to take on the reigning 5A champions, Bowling Green.
Apollo (Class 5A, District 1) Vs. Murray (Class 3A, District 1)
Quick notes: Fresh off a 5-5 season, Apollo will be tested early against a Murray team that finished 8-4 and just made the jump to 3A. The Eagles may have lost Niles Board to graduation, but return QB Maxwell Johnson and offensive playmakers Ehmadjai Badger, Eli Williams, and Landon Bratcher.
Head Coach John Edge said: Our expectations are the same each week. We are going to trust the Process and keep playing the next play.
I expect them to grind out the clock some. They have a lot of good players going both ways. I expect them to run the ball as much as possible and use play action and boot to keep us off balanced. We will take what the defense gives us.
On offense, we will need to block Ryan Walls. He’s 6’4 300lbs, and can really put pressure on the QB. We will have to double-team him some. On defense, we will need to know where Isiah Martin lines up during the game. He lines up at all four WR spots and is their best receiver.
Daviess County (Class 6A, District 2) @ Russellville (Class 1A, District 1)
Quick notes: The Panthers enter the year with a new head coach in Quadarius Wallace. Wallace spent nine seasons on the coaching staff before spending last year at Owensboro. Wallace and his team will be looking to improve on last year’s 1-10 season and tonight will travel to Logan County to play Russellville. Their 1A opponent finished last year 6-6 and will be a solid early season test.
Head Coach Quadarius Wallace said: With first games being what they are, I’m probably looking forward to relying on the defense a little more. With any offense, they typically take a little longer to come together and mesh well, and defenses typically get going first. So, we are going to rely heavy on the defensive side of the ball to pick us up and keep us on track to how we want to play the game.
Offensively, we need to keep an eye on Jamarion Gardner. He is their bell cow and had over 1,000 yards last year. He will be a tough player to handle. Also, their QB is very athletic, and they like to keep him on the move, so we will need to contain him to the pocket to help our secondary and linebackers.
Defensively, they do a couple of different things. They like to pressure the QB, and they do a great job of that. They blitz and they have big linemen.
I am very confident, and we take a lot of pride in our OL. It is an older group. With the experience we have, we should be in good shape up front.
Hancock County (Class 2A, District 2) Vs. John Hardin (Class 4A, District 2)
Quick notes: Hancock County enters this year back in 2A and with a new QB in Brady Eubanks. The junior replaces the recently graduated Dylan Morris and is looking to help the Hornets start the season 1-0 for a sixth straight season. In their way is John Hardin, whom they beat 21-10 a year ago.
McLean County (Class 2A, District 2) Vs. Muhlenberg County (Class 5A, District 1)
Quick notes: A year ago, McLean County beat Muhlenberg County on a game that came down to the final possession, 38-32. This season, the Cougars return a plethora of key members from last year’s team that finished the season 7-4.
Head Coach Zach Wagner said: We are preparing for a very physical matchup on both sides of the ball this Friday night. We anticipate the game to be very physical.
The Muhlenberg County offensive line fires off the ball extremely well, and their QB Wilken runs their offense like a magician. 6’6 WR Brayden Bakersville is the top target for Wilken and can present a matchup problem in our secondary.
Owensboro (Class 5A, District 1) @ St. Xavier (Class 6A, District 3)
Quick notes: The Red Devils enter the year with a new head coach in DaMarcus Ganaway, and they will be immediately tested against St. Xavier. The Tigers finished 8-4 a year ago before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs against eventual 6A State runner-ups Ryle. The Red Devils return star running back Evan Hampton and have a new face at QB in DaMarcus Ganaway Jr.
Head Coach DaMarcus Ganaway said: We are expecting a very tough and disciplined program. They have playmakers from top to bottom including two kids committed to Louisville, a returning QB, and they are stout up front. They are going to be a tough opponent.
On offense, you need to look out for Marlon Harbin III, he is a receiver and defensive back, and he is pretty special. Their offense will be balanced and they will move Harbin in and out of the box, making it tought to keep track of where he is at times. They also have a QB who is dynamic and good skill position players.
Defensively, their LB Karsten Busch, we need to be aware of where he is lined up at all times. They have some really good players up front, and their secondary is athletic and fast.
I want to see us come out and compete to the fullest. Our boys are excited about playing a top-notch program right off the back.
Owensboro Catholic (Class 2A, District 2) @ Bowling Green (Class 5A, District 2)
Quick notes: The Aces once again finished the regular season and came up just short in the 2A State Championship game. They enter the year with a new QB in Dre’Mail Carothers, but head coach Jason Morris has been pleased with the juniors’ offseason. The Aces will immediately be tested against one of the best teams in the state and the reigning 5A Champs in Bowling Green.
Head Coach Jason Morris said: Preparation has been great, our kids seem to be locked in and are excited for the opportunity to play one of the top programs in the state. Bowling Green has multiple state champions and is competing for a state title in one of the biggest classes every year.
Their QB is a transfer from Frederick Douglass High School. He is a little bit of a different type of QB then what they have experienced over the last four years. He is very efficient and seems to be able to run the football as well. We will need to make sure that we are disciplined with our alignment and our assignments.
They also return Travey Barber. They put him everywhere and he has been one of their best playmakers for the last three years.
Defensively, is where I see as their strength. They are very good in the front seven and solid in the backfield as well. They are going to try and take away what you do best and make you do something different to beat them.
We have had a really good season and Dre’Mail Carothers has been great from day one. he has taken over the leadership roles, and we are not expecting any setbacks in our offense whatsoever.
