The history of Simon Kenton Football

Simon Kenton High School fielded its first football team in the fall of 1965, this team played a junior varsity schedule. Through the help of parents money was raised to help support the football team and build the football stadium. In 1966, Simon Kenton played its first varsity football season ending the season with a 2-8 record. The first football coach was Jim Jenkins. In 1968 the team finished with a record of 8-2-1. During the 1968 campaign Charlie Siffel set the single season rushing record with 1,555 yards. The 1968 team also set records for the most shutout games, and the fewest points allowed in a season. The 1960's ended with the team going 5-6 in 1969.

The 1970's: Coaches from this decade include Jim Jenkins, Jerry Abney, Carl Hays, and Bill Gaines. Coach Hays' team compiled a record of 29 wins and 37 losses during his six years at the helm. The 1974 and 1977 teams both finished the seasons with records of 7-4.

The 1980's: Coaches from this decade include Carl Fitzer, Jim Dougherty, and Mike Leising. Coach Dougherty's 1985 team posted a record of 5-6 and Coach Leising's 1988 team posted a record of 5-5.

The 1990's: Coaches froms this decade include Tim Odom, Chris Willertz, and Roy Lucas, Jr. The 1990's was an exciting time in Pioneer football history with the 1993 team qualifying for the Class AAA state playoffs for the first time in school history. The 1993 team defeated Boyd County for the first playoff win in school history. The 1993 team posted a record of 8-4. The 1998 team pulled the program out of two winless season by posting a 5-5 record. The 1998 team deafeted Covington Cathloic, the defending class AAA state champion.

The 2000's: Coach Marksberry's 2000 team posted a record of 6 wins and 4 losses. The 2000 team was the sixth team to post a winning record. The 2001 team became the second team in school history to qualify for the KHSAA Class AAAA state playoffs. In 2005, the Pioneers again qualified for the Class AAAA state playoffs. During this decade there have been many football records broken. Daniel Morrison set the career rushing yards record. Justin Bishop set the career passing yards record. Josh Elbert set the single season passing yards record, the most career touchdown passes record, and the single season touchdown passes record. The 2006 offense also broke the 38 year old most points scored in a season record by scoring 351 points. The 2005, 2006, and 2007 teams became the first teams to post back to back to back winning seasons. The 2007 team also ended Russel HS 34 game home winning streak, defeated the 2006 Class 4A state runner-up Ryle Raiders, and qualified for the KHSAA state playoffs. Nathan Ponzer set several receiving records during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In 2007 the freshman Pioneers finished with a perfect 10-0 record and won the 2007 NKAC freshman championship.