The Indian Hill Braves will open their 2026 football season against one of Kentucky's most decorated programs when they travel to Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell, Ky., on Friday, Aug. 28.
The two head coaches share a combined 12 state championships. For Indian Hill, coming off its first regional title in school history, the trip across the river is a Week 1 test against a program that has won 18 state titles.
Indian Hill riding momentum
John Rodenberg, in his fifth year leading the Braves, brings more than 200 career victories and four state championships across three states to the sideline. He led Archbishop Moeller to back-to-back Ohio Division I titles in 2012 and 2013 and guided Roncalli High School in Indianapolis to the Indiana Class 4A crown in 2020 before arriving at Indian Hill in 2022.
The Braves' 2025 season marked a program turning point. Indian Hill won the Cincinnati Hills League championship, reached No. 3 in the OHSAA Division IV computer rankings after starting 7-0 through Oct. 6, 2025, and captured its first-ever regional championship.
The Indian Hill Foundation also invested in the program's growth, donating $25,000 to the football team during the 2025-26 school year, as approved at the Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 Board of Education meeting.
Beechwood reloads under Rash
Eight-time state champion coach Noel Rash was named Beechwood's head coach in May 2026 after predecessor Jay Volker stepped away. The Tigers won the 2024 state championship and went 11-2 in 2025 under Volker.
Rash's first tenure at Beechwood spanned 17 seasons (2006–2022) and produced a 193-46 record, eight state titles, 15 region championships, and zero losing seasons. He retired in 2023, then returned to coaching at Conner High School in 2025 before coming home to Fort Mitchell.
"I feel like I'm home," Rash told WCPO before a July practice. "I love this place and I love these kids. It's a special place and I feel blessed to be a part of it."
Senior wide receiver and safety Tyler Fryman, a four-star prospect ranked No. 203 nationally by 247Sports, is verbally committed to the University of Kentucky for both football and baseball. As a junior, Fryman caught 45 passes for 1,023 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 277 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground, according to 247Sports. Senior quarterback Emmett Queen is verbally committed to Wake Forest.
