Atherton High School football enjoying its best season in 50 years

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The postseason is upon us in Kentucky High School football. The playoffs start Friday and Atherton High School is hoping that means a strong follow-up to its best regular season in decades.

You have go back fifty years for the last Atherton team that was 9-1. After dropping its opening game to KCD, the Ravens have won nine straight and captured the school's first-ever district title.

"We're learning a lot about each other," said fifth-year head coach Anthony White of his young team. "But I know they're passionate, they're gritty and they fight all four quarters. So that's the best thing about this group."

That's also a good description of the Ravens defensive leader. Senior Linebacker Hai Shee, the team's leading tackler the last two years who had never played football until his freshman year at the school.

"Hai Shee is a 'walk-on guy' is what I call him," said White. "Nobody knew much about him. He came on out. He emailed me, said he was a gold glove boxer. I said 'if you can box, you're a tough kid. Come on out and play.'"

The youngest of eight kids, Shee was born in Thailand, but his family moved to Louisville when he was two. He excelled in various sports growing up including boxing where he won a golden gloves title in 2018. But football has been his thing since coming to Atherton.

"I definitely like the grit of the sport, the camaraderie," said Shee. "Just being able to do something aggressive but being controlled with it and being mindful with it and being able to celebrate with my team after."

"He didn't know much about it but he's a warrior," added White. "He kept showing up. He kept coming back. He's been banged up all year because he just goes hard."

Shee said he thinks the school is surprised at the team's success and that everybody's proud to say they're from Atherton when they used to be embarrassed during football season.

He and the Ravens are hoping to keep the dream season going when they host Seneca Friday at 7:00 p.m. to open the playoffs.