Football

Kentucky fans react to new football coach

by Sophia Waldridge

After 13 seasons Mark Stoops brought historic stability to Kentucky and led four 10-win campaigns in 2018 and 2021. He also showed the team eight consecutive bowl games and two top-25 finishes. But after too many losing streaks and a 41-0 loss to Louisville on Dec. 1, Kentucky fired him. Will Stein is the new Kentucky coach.

Many Louisville fans are happy because they want real change and challenge. Senior Kaeleb Hayes, who is a die hard Louisville fan, said that Kentucky “needed to do it” and that the team would be “better off without Stoops and the team will get along so much better with the leadership and the stability of Stein.”

But others do not agree with Hayes and think that Stoops should not have been fired. Sophomore Eli Tate, “I think that we will have better prospects but at the same time he was a good coach and I don’t think that this one game should have caused him to be fired.”

Sophomore Cali Smith agreed with Tate and is also a Kentucky fan; she said that the team will have to come up with new critical thinking skills and “learn to adapt with a new coach with different teaching styles.”

Freshman Harper Gordon also said that the Wildcats will have to adapt and thinks that it was a good thing because “Stoops has been a bad coach for three years and gave us a horrible season.” She said the new coach Stein is better for the team because he will push them harder.

Kentucky fans aren’t too happy, but most of them are rallying for the new coach and can’t wait to see how he trains the team differently and if they’ll get any better under different and new leadership.

18 Dec 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS defeats Jennings County 35-21

Friday’s win brings Red Devils to 4-5, 3-3 in Hoosier Hills Conference play

All photos by Malachi Conrad and Parker McCloskey.

The Red Devil student section poses, modeling the Pink Out clothes for Friday’s theme. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

21 Oct 202521 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Columbus East defeats Red Devils 28-9; JHS plays Jennings County this Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad.

Senior Maxwell Schoonover looks off in the distance while the national anthem plays at the beginning of the JHS game with Columbus East on Friday. Columbus East won 28-9. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

13 Oct 202513 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS prepares to face off with New Albany tonight

by Austin Bainbridge

Both Jeff and New Albany come into tonight’s game looking to get their seasons on track.

New Albany is in the search for their first win, and Jeff has lost two straight in brutal fashion. However, a win could set their campaigns straight.

“We have to win these next three; if we do that we’ll be 5-4 and going into the playoffs, that would be a success for this young team,” said head coach Joe Washington.

This is a big rivalry for both communities, and the players are ready to perform.

Sophomore Austin Bainbridge and sophomore Jaxx Long do a pre-game handshake during the Homecoming game against Bloomington North. Photo by Malachi Conrad.

“We can beat them for sure; I mean, their 0-6. We are a way better team than them,” said sophomore fullback Jaxx Long.

Jeff comes into tonight’s match-up 2-4, trying to get back on the path to prepare for a playoff push.

“I think we have a couple games down the stretch that we’re favored in, and we can win. Columbus East will be a tough matchup, but if we do what we’re supposed to we can win that game as well,” said Washington.

The coaches believe that the team can succeed, but it’s on the players if they want to win.

“It’s only the little things that we aren’t doing right. If the players come together and see the bigger picture and dig a little deeper, then I think the next three games can go in our favor,” said Washington.

Even though the Bulldogs come into the game winless this season, Jeff players know this isn’t a free win.

“We have to play determined and as a team. Even though they’re 0-6, a win is never free. If we all stick together I know we can walk out of there with a win,” said junior linemen Liam Jackson.

The team only has a handful of seniors starting on the roster, so there is some experience left to be desired.

Sophomore Andre Walker during the JHS-Bloomington North game last Friday. Photo by Isaiah Stewart.

“We have a very young roster, and this is the first adversity they have seen. When we went 6-4 last year a lot of these guys didn’t play. I think they just need some ‘want-to’ so we can go out and win,” said Washington

Everybody on the team has been preparing for this game for a long time, and they’re ready to settle the rivalry for this year.

“The mentality for us is a no-brainer at this point. We know they don’t like us and we don’t like them, so there’s some bad blood, so we have to ride the wave and step up to the plate,” said Washington.

3 Oct 20253 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS celebrates homecoming this past Friday

All photos by Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey, Sophia Goforth, and Isaiah Stewart.

The girls’ court and queen candidates posing. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

2 Oct 2025 by jhshyphen

Floyd Central beats Jeff 34-12 on Friday; Red Devils prepare for Bloomington North and Homecoming this Friday, Sept. 26

All photos by Magdalene Conrad, Malachi Conrad, Parker McCloskey.

Seniors Tre Martin and Bryce Grant hold a special photo of Noah Maddox, presented as a gift to Floyd Central prior to the game. Photo by Parker McCloskey.

22 Sep 202522 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils travel to Kokomo to compete tonight

The offensive line snaps the ball to junior Benji Rice for an attempt at a touchdown against the Seymour Owls. The Red Devils won 20-6, picking up the first win of the season. They lost to Bedford-North Lawrence last week, and head to Kokomo to compete tonight. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

by Austin Bainbridge

Jeff came out of Bedford North Lawrence with a loss but is still looking forward to tonight against Kokomo to redeem themselves and get back to .500.

“I’m excited to see what their defense has to offer against us, and I’m ready to get another win,” said fullback Jaxx Long.

Kokomo had five turnovers last week, resulting in a 22-15 loss to Monrovia, and Jeff is going try to find a way to exploit that.

“Fine-tuning our defensive scheme, make sure everybody’s in the same place they need to be and knowing who exactly their supposed to cover in zone coverage and just trying to get some of those picks is crucial,” said head coach Joe Washington.

Against BNL Jeff had some defensive trouble, allowing 48 points, and Kokomo has the players to put up a similar performance.

“Kokomo has a receiver, number four (Baris Moore) — he’s pretty dynamic. He’s a good go-ball receiver and double move guy. He’s just bigger, faster and stronger than our other opponents,” said Washington.

Despite the defensive struggle, the Red Devils had a solid offensive game that they look to build on.

“As coaches we ran the ball effectively. Our RPO’s looked good, but the main thing was even though the score might have not indicated it we didn’t give up,” said Washington.

Coming out with the loss to BNL, Jeff is trying to to analyze what could have gone differently.

“I think the offense was very inconsistent. We had big drives, but then couldn’t do anything the next (drive). That then puts the defense in a bad place where they couldn’t do anything either,” said Long.

Despite what both teams’ records suggest, this is still a competitive matchup to measure where both teams can go with the rest of the season.

“If you combine both records it’s 1-5, so that’s not good, but there’s something to be said when a team schedules you as their homecoming, so that’s them saying they think they can beat us, but were ready to show them who we are,” said Washington

12 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

JHS travels to Bedford-North Lawrence tonight looking for season’s second victory

5 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils defeat Seymour 20-6 on Friday

JHS will face Bedford-North Lawrence this Friday

All photos by Magdalene Conrad.

Junior Nation Roe-McBroom holds back the Seymour defense to score a touchdown for the Red Devils. JHS defeated the Owls 20-6 and will face Bedford North-Lawrence this Friday. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

3 Sep 2025 by jhshyphen

Red Devils look for season’s first win against Seymour tonight

by Austin Bainbridge

Seymour and Jeff are hunting for their first wins of the season, and everyone’s ready for the Friday Night Lights tonight.

“I’m super excited man counting the days down until Friday and just mentally preparing myself for Friday,” said head football coach Joe Washington.

Seymour showed some Week 1 slopiness last Friday in a 38-8 loss against Greenwood, throwing two interceptions.

Seniors Bryce Grant and Tyes McCondichie celebrate after a successful Red Devil play during the opening scrimmage two weeks ago. Tonight the Red Devils go for their first win of the season against Seymour. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.

“I’m hoping that we’ll be able to get a lot of turnovers this week. If they throw the ball up I think we have the guys in the secondary to make plays and hopefully turn some of those picks into touchdowns,” said Washington.

Jeff is also out to a slow start after a 37-0 loss to Cincinnati Taft, and lost their starting quarterback Cordell Thomas. Sophomore Brayden Bachman will fill in.

“It’s Bachman’s first start, so you kind of expect there to be some jitters. We’re going to help him out with short passes and running the ball effectively,” said Washington.

Jeff has confidence in this game even after the loss to Taft.

“I expect a good game from Seymour, but we are the better team,” said sophomore tackle Jaxx Long.

Jeff is trying to find a silver lining in the loss from Taft.

“I would like the loss to influence us in a positive way. Even though there’s a lot of negativity around it, if they put it into perspective Taft is probably going to be the best team we’ll play until sectionals,” said Washington.

Seymour has several impact players that could turn the tide in their favor.

“Their running back number three (Traysean Hawkins) is a real shifty guy; he runs the ball hard, and they have an offensive linemen that has worked really hard. He’s lost 50 pounds this offseason, he’s a really big kid,” said Washington.

The team has been putting in work at practice all week and feel prepared for tonight.

“We have prepared a good defense and ran scout team all week so I’m confident for this game,” said Long.

Washington had been suspended for both the Madison scrimmage and Week one against Taft. Tonight is his first opportunity to be back on the field and he’s ready.

“I’m excited. It’s like having my boys around. I’m sick of not having my guys around, and it’s my happy place, you know,” said Washington.