No. 20 Louisville Trinity

Expectations are high at Trinity. In other words, it's just another ordinary season at the all-boys campus near the Kentucky-Indiana border that tops the list in MaxPreps' Top 10 Kentucky Football Dynasties.

While some schools hope to make it to the state title game, Trinity has been there 10 times in the last 11 seasons, so it expects to be there. This year's team brings back a boatload of impact players who are the favorites to defend the 6A title after a 14-1 season.

The Shamrocks' season is broken down into three parts: The district slate has some of Kentucky's best teams in it, but Trinity has had little trouble getting past the likes of Male, St. Xavier and DuPont Manual. The playoffs will feature many of those district foes and some others. Both of those parts are expected to be Trinity romps.

The question is how the third part will turn out: the out-of-state pairings with prestigious programs. Trinity will tussle with Nashville stalwarts Montgomery Bell Academy and Brentwood Academy, as well as Indianapolis Cathedral and three Cincinnati powers: No. 19 St. Xavier, Archbishop Moeller and Elder. The St. Xavier of Cincinnati contest represented Trinity's only loss last year.



Coach Bob Beatty is emphatic that nobody is a returning starter just because they started last year. Still, many of the key guys who helped forge a 680-163 scoring margin last year are back and should play important roles. Quarterback Travis Wright, receiver James Quick, center John Michael Heile, linebacker Adam Reynolds and many others will have a year of experience in the aim to repeat as champs. Hard-nosed workhorse running back Derek Bishop will be hard to replace, and though Dalyn Dawkins is likely to take over, he runs with a completely different style. It may take some tinkering for Trinity to find its groove at that position.

Success is an every-year occurrence at Trinity. Running the table against the out-of-state foes would make it even sweeter.

Local look: "This year, obviously, they have ramped it up a notch. Trinity has truthfully become too good for the rest of the state and needs some outside competition. It hasn't lost to a team from Kentucky other than St. Xavier since 2004, and it would be a big shock if anyone in the state comes close to them the next two seasons. No doubt Trinity is the cream of the crop in Louisville and Kentucky, and Beatty has a lot to do with that."
- Jason Frakes, Louisville Courier-Journal

Continue to School Profile
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School size: 6A

Enrollment: Approximately 1,381 (All boys)

2010 finish: 15-1, 6A state champion



Head coach: Bob Beatty

Career record: 140-21

Years at school: 12

Notable players coached:
QB Brian Brohm (University of Louisville, Buffalo Bills)
LB Jordan Whiting (High School All-American, Ohio State)



Continue to Key Returners
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No. of returning starters: 5 (offense), 8 (defense)

Key Losses:
RB Derek Bishop
WR Ryan Steffey
TE Jack Tencza
OL Will Flynn
OL Grayson Switzer



Key Returners:
RB Dalyn Dawkins
C John Michael Heile
RG Eric Graehler
RT Joey Warburg
QB Travis Wright
WR James Quick
DL Adam Barry
DL Bobby Bryant
DL Tyler Sweeden
DE/LB Jason Hatcher
LB Adam Reynolds
LB Daeshawn Bertram
DB Ryan White
DB Turney Sugg
DB Tim Smith

Continue to Season Outlook
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Toughest game: St. Xavier (Cincinnati). The preseason Xcellent 25 lists St. Xavier one spot ahead of the Shamrocks, so this one should be an evenly matched contest in Cincinnati. It will be Trinity's second trip to the Queen City in consecutive weeks. St. Xavier brings back eight offensive starters, so the Trinity defense will certainly be tested. Last year, St. X handed Trinity its only loss, a 17-10 decision in Louisville.

Question Mark: Trinity is the favorite for a state title. The question is if the Shamrocks play well enough against marquee opponents in their out-of-area games to finish undefeated. 

Local look: The Shamrocks' district is perhaps the toughest in Kentucky. Male, St. Xavier and DuPont Manual will all be quality teams, but not likely at Trinity's level. Trinity has lost 14 times in the past seven seasons, and six of those were to St. Xavier (Louisville). Also, Fort Thomas Highlands, the dominant 5A champion last year, will provide Trinity with a good test in a scrimmage that Beatty said will be treated like a game.

Overall outlook: Beatty preaches that he wants his teams to play tough games during the regular season to prepare for the playoffs. Mission accomplished. He has set the bar high and has put his team in a position where it could face a loss or two. So while an undefeated regular season is anything but guaranteed, the Shamrocks will be battle-tested for the 6A playoffs and will be the favorite to once again win the state championship trophy.

Coach quote: "We have a rule here at Trinity. We’re on one-day contracts as players. Just because you started last year doesn't mean anything this year. Right now, every position is open ... Our kids are used to playing with a target on their backs so we don't single out any one game on the schedule. We’ll get everybody’s A game."
- Bob Beatty