And his football credentials are catching up.
With Kennard at QB, the Wildcats (12-2) were the beast of the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division last season. Franklin and Milton-Union (10-3) of the Buckeye Division were the only SWBL teams to advance to the playoffs in 2012.
If Franklin is to extend its season again, it’ll be done in the ultra-competitive Division III, Region 10. Also in Region 10 are Trotwood-Madison (Greater Western Ohio Conference), Thurgood Marshall (Dayton City League) and Tippecanoe (Central Buckeye Conference).
- Bret Pearce's reign at Milton-Union has ended following his retirement from coaching. He's succeeded by Bulldogs alum Mark Lane, 31, an outstanding football and wrestler at Milton. It's the first high school head coaching position for Lane, who previously was an assistant at Wilmington College.
- Monroe also has a new head coach in former Princeton coach Bill Leach, the Vikings' head coach from 2006-10. Leach succeeds Brett Stubbs who resigned after three seasons.
- Carlisle, behind SWBL offensive co-player of the year Levi Boyer, looks to be strong again after going 8-2 last season but missing out in the D-IV playoffs.
- Unlike several other area leagues that have bumped up their start times for league games, all SWBL matchups will again start at 7:30 p.m.
3 key players
Levi Boyer, Carlisle, sr., QB: Completed 131 of 217 passes (60.4 percent) for 1,994 yards, 15 TDs and just four INTs as a junior. Also rushed for 554 yards, good for another seven scores.
Luke Kennard, Franklin, jr., QB: It's no lock, but Franklin should be gearing up for the postseason again with Kennard under center. He threw for 1,744 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.
Wesley Martin, Milton-Union, sr., OL: Has verbally committed to Indiana. Will play a big two-way role in the debut of rookie Bulldogs coach Mark Lane.
3 key games
Aug. 31, Carlisle vs. Franklin, 8:30 p.m. at Centerville: The nightcap of a Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown tripleheader.
Sept. 6, Versailles at Valley View, 7:30 p.m.: A great non-league matchup for the Spartans against one of the MAC's heavyweights.
Sept. 6, Clinton-Massie at Waynesville, 7:30 p.m.: The Spartans can hit a SWBL high note by knocking off the D-IV defending state champion Falcons.
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