From DeSales to North Oldham, what to know about Louisville area's Class 4A football teams

Here’s a look at the Louisville-area high school football teams in Class 4A for the 2024 season:

DeSales

Head coach: Mike Jackson (third season, 9-13)

Last season: 9-3; lost to Spencer County in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs

Offense (7 starters back): Most starters are returning from last year; the Colts will have to replace one of the best quarterback and wide receiver duos in 4A. They lost their starting quarterback from 2023, Peyton Molter, and one of the state's top wide receiver/defensive back combo players, Broderick Price, to graduation. They return senior wide receiver Brandon Williams, who led the team in receiving touchdowns and placed third in 4A, along with their leading rusher, Marshall Miller.

Defense (9 starters back): Former Elizabethtown head coach Ross Brown takes over as defensive coordinator. The defense has a strong foundation, led by Levi Riordan, the program's leading tackler (77) from 2023, and Williams, who led the team in tackles for loss (15).

Outlook: DeSales went 0-10 in 2022, but followed that up by going 9-3 last season and becoming contenders in Class 4A. Jackson said the program wants to take the next step this year and put itself in a position where it can contend with the best in the state.

Schedule:

Aug. 23 – Seneca

Aug. 30 – at North Oldham

Sept. 6 – at Kentucky Country Day

Sept. 13 – Lafayette

Sept. 20 – Valley

Sept. 26 – at Western

Oct. 4 – Waggener

Oct. 18 – Jeffersontown

Oct. 25 – at Doss

Nov. 1 – at John Hardin

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Doss

Head coach: Paul Mandeville (second season, 2-8)

Last season: 2-8; lost to Franklin County in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs

Offense (7 starters back): Paul Mandeville expressed his happiness with the work the players put in over the summer after completing their first full offseason of strength and conditioning. The Dragons return good size on the offensive line and last year's leading rusher, Jordan Robertson.

Defense (9 starters back): Robertson also led the Dragons in tackles (86) and was second in tackles for loss (13). Defensive lineman Nasir McFadden was the team's leader in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (17).

Outlook: Mandeville believes the team's defense will be its biggest strength, with most starters returning. He said the team is also improving its speed on both sides of the ball.

Schedule:

Aug. 23 – at Southern

Aug. 30 – at Bethlehem

Sept. 6 – at Seneca

Sept. 13 – Atherton

Sept. 20 – at Western

Sept. 27 - Jeffersontown

Oct. 11 – at Valley

Oct. 18 – at Waggener

Oct. 25 – DeSales

Nov. 1 – Fairdale

Jeffersontown

Head coach: Donte Ellison (third season, 9-12)

Last season: 9-2, lost to North Oldham in the first round of the 4A playoffs

Offense (5 starters back): With a number of key players lost to graduation and transfers, the offense will have a new look. After leaning on its passing game last season, the run game will be more of a focus this year.

Defense (5 starters back): Two of J'town's best defensive players from 2023 (Camron McDaniels, Larron Westmoreland) transferred to new schools out of state. Even without McDaniels and Westmoreland, Ellison believes the unit will improve this year. Defensive lineman Kentayvion Sherley, forced six fumbles, recorded 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season, will be the leader in the front seven.

Outlook: "I feel like J'town is going to continue to surprise people," Ellison said. "People were caught off guard last year and are not going to be expecting a lot from us this year now that Cam and Larron have transferred. I think J'town is here to stay, in a sense that the kids understand the standard of what we expect and what we desire from them on a day-in, day-out basis."

Schedule:

Aug. 23 – Iroquois

Aug. 30 – at Shawnee

Sept. 6 – Breckinridge County

Sept. 13 – at Holy Cross (Louisville)

Sept. 20 – at Waggener

Sept. 27 – at Doss

Oct. 11 – Western

Oct. 18 – at DeSales

Oct. 25 – Valley

Nov. 1 – Bullitt Central

North Oldham

Head coach: Brock Roberts (second season, 7-5)

Last season: 7-5; lost to Franklin County in the second round of the 4A playoffs

Offense (5 starters back): Gradey Anthony, a Class of 2025 U of L commit, will anchor the offensive line, which returns three starters. After rushing for fewer than 1,000 yards last season, they will aim to establish the run more in 2024. The Mustangs also return their top receiver, Gray Schmittel (916 yards).

Defense (3 starters back): Linebacker Zachary Mortenson will continue to be the voice of the defense this season after leading the Mustangs in tackles (81), tackles for loss (10), and sacks (3) in 2023.

Outlook: The Mustangs are coming off their first winning season since 2014 and are looking to build off of last year's success.

Schedule:

Aug. 23 – at Fern Creek

Aug. 30 – DeSales

Sept. 6 – Tates Creek

Sept. 13 – at South Oldham

Sept. 20 – at Shelby County

Sept. 27 - at Henry County

Oct. 4 – Franklin County

Oct. 18 – Western Hills

Oct. 25 – at Spencer County

Nov. 1 – Oldham County

Shelby County

Head coach: Josh Jaggers (first season)

Last season: 4-6

Offense (3 starters back): Jaggers expects Giaonni Hunter to be a game-changer for the offense and a Mr. Football candidate. The senior led 4A in rush yards (1,742) and recorded 17 touchdowns last year. The biggest concern: The offensive line only returns one starter from last season.

Defense (3 starters back): While only three starters return, a number of players who were in last year's defensive rotation are back and will step into starting roles.

Outlook: The offense will rely heavily on production from Hunter while the new-look offensive line develops and underclassmen on the defense step into bigger roles.

Schedule:

Aug. 23 – Collins

Aug. 30 – Oldham County

Sept. 6 – Mercer County

Sept. 13 – at Paul Laurence Dunbar

Sept. 20 – North Oldham

Sept. 27 – at Franklin County

Oct. 4 – Western Hills

Oct. 11 – at Spencer County

Oct. 25 – Henry County

Nov. 1 – at Atherton

Spencer County

Head coach: Mike Marksbury (14th season, 84-63)

Last season: 7-6; lost to Paducah Tilghman in the 4A quarterfinals

Offense (6 starters back): The Bears will have to replace their leading rusher and top pass catcher from 2023. Junior running back Brody Phelps and senior fullback Danny Armstrong will carry the rushing load. Phelps rushed for 366 yards as a sophomore; Armstrong was second on the team in rushing with 437 yards. Junior Brady Smith is the only player on the current roster who caught a pass last year (two receptions for 46 yards).

Defense (6 starters back): In 2023, Smith tied for a team-high three interceptions, senior Tanner Shular recorded 77 tackles, and fellow senior Ian Blanford led the team in tackles for loss (13).

Outlook: "We have several senior starters returning on the offensive and defensive line that performed at a high level last year. We feel we have a lot of depth at our skill positions, but they will be increasing their roles on Friday nights," Marksbury said. "We are hopeful that we can show growth in the non district schedule and peak during district play and set us up for nice positioning in the playoffs."

Schedule:

Aug. 24 – Bullitt Central (at Nelson County)

Aug. 30 – Collins

Sept. 6 – at South Oldham

Sept. 13 – at Fairdale

Sept. 20 – Franklin County

Sept. 27 – at Western Hills

Oct. 4 – at Henry County

Oct. 11 – Shelby County

Oct. 25 – North Oldham

Nov. 1 – at Nelson County

Valley

Head coach: DaMarcus Smith (first season)

Last season: 1-9

Offense (2 starters back): Valley will lean on two transfers from out of state. Mekhi Moore will play quarterback and DeVaun "Boss" Jones, from Indiana, will play receiver in addition to cornerback. Smith also plans to use Jamie Jones at quarterback.

Defense (3 starters back): Brandon Gist, who was Valley's leading rusher in 2023, also led the team in tackles (135) and sacks (5). He will be a key on both sides of the ball again this year.

Outlook: "The past is behind us. With a new team and an exciting coaching staff, I believe I've got one of the best coaching staff in the city, a lot of knowledgeable guys, and some key transfers," Smith said. "You know our goal is always to win a championship."

Schedule:

Aug. 23 – Washington County

Aug. 30 – at Southern

Sept. 6 – Shawnee

Sept. 13 – at Breckinridge County

Sept. 20 – at DeSales

Sept. 27 – at Waggener

Oct. 11 – Doss

Oct. 18 – Western

Oct. 25 – at Jeffersontown

Nov. 1 – Fort Knox

Waggener

Head coach: Corey Thompson (first season)

Last season: 2-8

Offense (9 starters back): The Wildcats have a young offense led by sophomore quarterback Arion Roach. Thompson said Roach and Junior receiver Jemal Wremeo spent many hours over the summer training together, and he anticipates that Wremeo will be one of Roach's most reliable targets this year.

Defense (9 starters back): Like the offense, the defense will have a lot of youth. While some started as freshmen last year, many returning players are still learning the system and getting comfortable in their new roles this season.

Outlook: A 2005 Waggener graduate, Thompson said the goal for his first year as head coach is to help the players take the next step forward and make the playoffs this season.

Schedule:

Aug. 24 – Grand County (at Eminence)

Aug. 30 – at Iroquois

Sept. 6 – at Moore

Sept. 13 – at Williamsburg

Sept. 20 – Jeffersontown

Sept. 27 – Valley

Oct. 4 – at DeSales

Oct. 18 - Doss

Oct. 25 – at Western

Nov. 1 – at Shawnee

Western

Head coach: Michael Crowe (second season, 3-7)

Last season: 3-7; lost to Spencer County in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs

Offense (4 starters back): The Warriors will be led by two seniors, explosive running back Xavion Ware and 6-foot-4 Tremel Johnson at receiver. Ware has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Defense (5 starters back): Junior Jaizon Taylor shined bright last year in limited action. He grabbed three interceptions in only four games, which was good enough for second on the team. Fellow junior Marquvaion Sheckles will anchor the defensive line. He had 22 tackles and six tackles for loss last year.

Outlook: Crowe said adding depth to a young offensive line will be key to their success this season. They will rely on Ware's leadership and experience to set the pace for their offense.

Schedule:

Aug. 24 – Henry County (at Carroll County)

Aug. 30 – Seneca

Sept. 6 – Holy Cross (Louisville)

Sept. 13 – at Campbellsville

Sept. 20 – Doss

Sept. 26 – DeSales

Oct. 11 – at Jeffersontown

Oct. 18 - at Valley

Oct. 25 - Waggener

Nov. 1 – at Moore

KHSAA football 2024: 5 burning questions for Louisville-area teams

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football: Louisville high school area team previews, Class 4A