Henry Clay is hopeful ahead of the 2026 football season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Henry Clay Blue Devils endured a challenging first season under head coach Phillip Hawkins, finishing 1-10 overall and 0-5 in district play. The program has won just two games over the past three seasons, but optimism is growing as the team prepares for the 2026 campaign.

"We just learned how to compete and finish games as a team while adjusting to the new coaches and their coaching styles," senior linebacker Patrick Beya said.

With the same coaching staff returning for a second year, players another year older and several transfers joining the roster, the Blue Devils believe they are poised to take a significant step forward.

"They've been more intense because we've had a year with them," Beya said. "Things are more focused now. We're focusing on what we can do as individuals and maximizing each player's skill set."

Assistant coach Aaron Dishman, who joined Henry Clay from Bryan Station with Hawkins in 2025, said a winning season would mean a great deal to both the school and the community.

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"I think it'd be big for them, and they deserve it," Dishman said. "The kids have been down for so long, for whatever reason, but they've worked hard to become winners this year. I think it would be huge for the program. With the new school opening up, it would be a really big deal for them."

Henry Clay opens its season Friday, Aug. 21, against Collins. The game will be played at Lafayette High School in Lexington.

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