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Kathleen Football Preview 2010
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Courtesy: PolkPreps.com By BRANDT MERRITT | The Ledger What’s new: The Red Devils return plenty of talent from the 2009 team that had to forfeit six games for an ineligible player, but there are a few new faces. Wide receiver Aaron Baysdon and running back James McClinton transferred from George Jenkins and are expected to contribute heavily. Receivers Eric Carter and Jarvis Washington moved up from junior varsity and will see lots of playing time, as will converted defensive back Alex Sanders. Offensive outlook: Kathleen returns six starters on offense, including third-year starring quarterback Isaac O’Neal, a senior this season. O’Neal will have one of his top targets back in senior receiver Jacques Mackeroy, and Terry Bentley returns at running back to handle most of the carries. McClinton and Terrick Colston also will see time in the backfield. Head coach Irving Strickland said the team’s “Heavy Package,” with Colston at quarterback, Malcolm Andrews at fullback and Gionni Paul at running back, will be used to help maintain more of a power running game. Defensive outlook: The Red Devils return nine of 11 starters to their swarming, 4-4 defense. The only positions up for grabs are one defensive back spot and an outside linebacker spot. Kathleen’s defensive line will be solid, led by tackle Andrews and ends Otis Buford and Javon Brown. Paul is the focal point at linebacker, while seniors Colston and Victor Troutman provide plenty of experience in the secondary. Strickland said the defense’s primary goal will again be to prevent the run, utilizing the defensive backs’ ability to step up and make tackles. Question mark: Two-year starting kicker Javier Rodea graduated last spring, leaving a major void in Kathleen’s special teams. But junior Michael Crespo has improved since spring practice and given Strickland and his players confidence they won’t have to finish every drive with a touchdown. Strickland said Crespo is landing his kickoffs at about the 5-yard line consistently and hitting field goals from all angles. Biggest strength: Strickland said the team’s attitude and hunger are its biggest assets, coming off last season’s forfeits that made their 9-1 record on the field 3-7 in the record books. O’Neal said the team’s goals start with a district championship and end with a state title. Next level: Paul boasts offers from more than a dozen schools but lists his top 10 as Michigan, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Auburn, Rutgers, LSU, Tennessee, Louisville, South Florida and Ole Miss, in no particular order. Strickland said as many as 11 or 12 players could sign this winter. Mackeroy already has committed to Central Florida, while O’Neal and Colston say they have talked to coaches from Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky, among others. Quotable: “We know we have marks on our backs, so there’s no room for comfort,” senior linebacker Gionni Paul. … “We’re not going to be the hunted this year, we’re going to be the hunter,” head coach Irving Strickland. Key game: Nov. 5 at Lake Gibson. |
