FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – Western Hills was projected to finish in the middle of the pack in Class 4A’s 4th District and hopes to make a splash this season.
In the second year under head coach Simon Vanderpool, the devil is in the details.
“You know, I understand the difference between a good team and a great team and building a championship culture. I think we’re getting there every day and making progress on those things, but I think it’s obviously a process and it doesn’t happen overnight,” Vanderpool said. “Obviously, when the 23rd comes, we want to make sure we’ve got our act together and continue to improve.”
The players agree.
“We’re building a better culture, getting involved and just playing together as a team,” said Zack Ballard, a veteran defensive end and tight end.
The team says their goal is pretty clear, but it’s big.
“We just want to be the best rushing team in the state, you know, our offensive system and all the weapons we have at running backs. We want to be the best rushing team and get a lot of yards on Friday night,” senior quarterback Garrison Graves said.
On defense, opponents currently have to deal with one of the most unusual stories in high school football in Kentucky: Veteran defensive player Javeon Campbell, who started playing football as a junior last year, received twenty offers and committed to UK over the summer.
“He’s made tremendous progress since he’s been here and playing, and I think there are other guys on our team that were just walking the halls and hadn’t played football before,” Vanderpool said. “I think as a whole unit, they’ve all really made pretty good progress.”
The Wolverines are expected to finish third in the district, but they say they are used to not being considered favorites.
“There’s always been this underdog mentality where you have to fight to get what you want,” said veteran offensive guard and defensive tackle Elijah Samuels.
Western Hills will begin the 2024 season as a road player, playing its first three games on the road, beginning at Bourbon County on August 23 at 7:30 p.m.
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