[16BBall Fan]

The Broncos come into the 2024 season with high hopes as they have had in each of their now 8 seasons. The Broncos when for the first time since the school opened were allowed last season to schedule more than just one game on the schedule. They really toughened it up and then some playing a national top 30 program in Archbishop Hoban as well as Indiana power Cathedral from Indianapolis and then throw in Trinity and Corbin from KY for good measure.

The Broncos record was not what it had been in past seasons with the strengthened schedule, but the Broncos improved throughout the season that did include a regular season road win at Trinity. Their season ended in the 6A semifinal with a 14-7 OT loss at 6A champ Trinity which was by far the Shamrocks toughest game of the playoffs.

Frederick Douglass lost some great D1 talent from their defensive unit last year with LB Darion Neal and Evan Chase. The also maybe three of the best DB in the state in CJ Clinkscale, Terrion Hicks, and Jeremiah Lowe. The offense lost two excellent large OL men in Demeco Kennedy and Zuri Madison. They also lost K/WR Cooper Ranvier.

The Broncos while losing a lot of very good players the cupboard is not empty at all. They return QB Jaxon Strautman who was thrown into action last season when Cole Carpenter sustained a season ending injury in their scrimmage with St. X. Strautman's play improved with each week of play and is ready to take control of running the Bronco offense this season. He has some very good speedy receivers returning this season in Darion and Dakari Talbert. The Broncos have some speed and hard runners in the backfield in "Tay Tay" Allen and Taylor County transfer Peyton Smith. They also return some of the OL in Austin Harmon and Jalen Johnson.

Douglass has another very good schedule this season with regular season games against three 2023 KHSAA State Champions (Trinity, Bowling Green, and Boyle Co.). They also play Corbin, Manual, Male and 6A 2023 runner-up Bryan Station.

I thought the Broncos offense looked a little behind their defense in the scrimmage last Friday at St. X, however the Tigers excellent defense may have had a little to do with that. It will take Smith a little time to get use to a new team and offense, but he is a very talented player who I believe will have a good season as a Bronco. A big question in this game will be if KHSAA will clear 4-star Cedric Works Jr. he will have his required practices in to play. This should be a good one the Purples looked very good in their scrimmage vs. Male. I am looking forward to this one. Go Broncos!!