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As the 2026 high school football season opens, St. Xavier steps into a visibly different era: a new head coach is installing his system, a crowded quarterback room promises daily drama, and a defense that returns key pieces could determine whether the Tigers are contenders once more. What unfolds this fall will matter to fans and the region’s playoff picture — and could quickly reshape expectations for a program used to deep postseason runs.
Coaching change and context
Longtime leader Kevin Wallace has handed the reins to Brian Landis, who inherits a 2025 team that went 10-4 but lost several cornerstone players to graduation. The departures include the offense’s driving force at quarterback and a defensive standout who routinely finished near the top of the stat sheet.
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Landis says early practices have given him confidence. He noted the return of physical work in pads has clarified roles and exposed where the roster’s strengths truly lie — an important milestone for a staff trying to alter the Tigers’ recent postseason trajectory.
Defense could set the tone
Despite turnover, St. X’s defense looks like the unit most likely to carry the team. Landis has singled out the line as a potential advantage and praised a group of experienced players who saw meaningful snaps in previous seasons.
At the second level, Henry Atkins returns as the team’s leading voice among linebackers after a 2025 campaign that included 31 tackles and a forced fumble. The secondary may be the deepest area: senior Jamari Carroll (54 tackles, two interceptions) and junior Te’Are Wilson (47 tackles, one interception, three TFL) both rejoin the lineup, and Landis has highlighted junior corner George Hale as a breakout candidate.
| Player | Position | 2025 highlights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karsten Busch | Defender (departed) | 110 tackles, 10 TFL | Major loss to defense |
| Jamari Carroll | Defensive back | 54 tackles, 2 INT | Senior leader in secondary |
| Te’Are Wilson | Defensive back/linebacker | 47 tackles, 1 INT, 3 TFL | Junior with playmaking upside |
| Henry Atkins | Linebacker | 31 tackles, 1 FF, 1 TFL | Team leader in the middle |
Quarterback rotation: three men for one job
The offense will sort itself out under center. With last year’s starter gone, St. X returns two seniors — Will Burmester and Beau Artman — and adds a dynamic transfer in junior William Shoptaw.
Shoptaw arrives from Hazard after a productive sophomore season: he completed 210 of 346 attempts for 2,798 yards and 23 touchdowns, while throwing seven interceptions and posting a 60.7% completion rate that ranked among the state’s top performers. That kind of résumé raises expectations but also intensifies the internal competition.
Landis describes the trio’s dynamic as constructive: they push each other in practice and highlight each other’s strengths, which should give the staff multiple scheming options once a starter emerges.
Rush game and depth in the backfield
Returning senior running back Cooper Yates combined rushing and receiving work in 2025 — about 500 yards on the ground and 15 catches for 210 yards with two touchdowns — and figures to be a central playmaker. Behind him, Herschel Highfield and Brennan Grinstead impressed in spring work and provide the Tigers with reliable depth.
Coaches say they still need to identify the definitive playmaker who will be called on in pressure moments. For now, the backfield is a committee with the potential to be productive if the offensive line and quarterback situation stabilize.
Key dates to watch
- @ Owensboro — Aug. 21
- @ Male — Sept. 4
- vs. Trinity — Sept. 25
- vs. Boyle County — Oct. 2
- vs. DuPont Manual — Oct. 9
These early and midseason matchups will be telling: they pit St. X against regional rivals and should clarify both the starting quarterback and whether the defense can carry the team into the postseason.
Bottom line: the Tigers are in transition but not without reasons for optimism. A stout front and a veteran secondary give Landis a defensive foundation, while the quarterback competition and a crowded backfield mean the offense could take several shapes before a clear identity emerges. For local fans and playoff watchers, the first few games this August and September will answer whether this coaching change restores St. Xavier to its familiar role near the top of Class 6A.
