Kaneland to celebrate 40 years of football

This year Kaneland is entering it's 40th year of football. The first Kaneland football game was in 1958 when the Knights tied the Genoa-Kingston Cogs 7-7, and went on the finish the season 4-1-1. For 39 years the Knights have never gone undefeated. Could the 40th year be the charm?

Well, maybe, but Head Coach Joe Thorgesen who has been around Kaneland football half of those 40 years, seventeen as Head Coach says, "Right now, we just want to be 1-0. We have an opportunity to win every ball game, but we have a long ways to go".

In recent years Kaneland football has meant strong defense. However, last year the Knights not only had a stingy defense, but their offense ranked 5th in the Fox valley. In 1996 Kaneland scored 242 points compared to 104 points by their opponents, they gained 2900 yards, while opponents had only 1547, yet this year could be even better.

Kaneland enters the new season with the wonderful combination of experience, depth, and speed at all the skill positions, losing only star running back Dan Kenny to graduation.

The backfield is clearly the bright spot for this year's team. Starting at QB, the Knights go into the season with two experienced quarterbacks. A luxury few coaches have. Junior Eric Delaney started last year at quarterback was injured midway through the campaign. He was replaced by senior Aaron Seibens, who finished out the season. This enabled both QB's to throw over 70 passes each. As a result Kaneland now has one of the best 1-2 Quarterback combinations in the fox valley.

The Knights are also stacked at running back with senior Ryan West and junior Kyle Schrader returning at halfback spot while senior Ian Thomas and newcomer junior Kurt Long are pulling most of the load at Fullback. Junior Shaun Wenz and sophomore Bill McKeown who was a state qualifier in the100 yard dash as a freshman fill out the backfield at Z (slot). Add junior running backs Mike Lemmer and Jason Cornell, and you have a smiling coach Thorgesen. "We're at least two deep at every position in the backfield".

Not only is the backfield well stocked, but everybody returns for the receiving core as well. All starting wideouts are returning including seniors Luke Peterson, Josh Miller, and All-conference junior P.J. Fleck. Fleck is coming off a fabulous year breaking Kaneland's record for most receiving yards in a season with 534. Senior John Morong and Juniors Shaun Anderson, Jared Lackey and Colin Baumgartner add to the depth.

However the line is a different story. The only returning starter is senior Brian Herra. But, the pieces start falling into place. First, with all the depth in the backfield, senior Rusty Pozen can move from his backfield spot to the line, shoring up some badly needed experience and creating two anchors to build from.

Next senior Adam Wallace is looking very strong at the center position taking care of the middle. Add senior Chad Herst who focused on defense last year, but will probably see double duty this year joining the offensive line. Throw in senior B.J. Mires who is a bit light at 190 pounds but plays much bigger and Kieth Snyder a 220 pound junior guard and you got a solid line. But it gets better.

This is preseason and the Kaneland offensive line is still up for grabs, especially with the coaching staff trying to keep players fresh and two-way players to minimum. "We're trying to get as few as kids a possible going both ways. And those that do we need to keep fresh. They need a break, especially the guys pounding in the line", states defensive coordinator Rich Kearney. "We need ten solid players on the offensive line", adds Thorgesen.

Therefore, returning seniors Casey Barrett and defensive specialist Anthony Parrilli could all see plenty of playing time on the line. Plus, a new addition, senior transfer Brad Thill (6-5 230) adds some much needed size.

Also in the mix for a job are juniors Mike Varley, Jason Harley, Mark Needham, Jason Stayner, Seth Mateas plus sophomores Brian Staker (230) and Will Schmidt, giving Thorgesen plenty of options.

With the speed on this year's team, don't go for a hot dog when the opposing team is getting ready to kick. This year's special teams should have plenty of blocked punts, fumble recovery's, and spectacular returns. On the other hand Kaneland's kicking game should have some kick of it's own, with senior Matt (we're) Gladd (your back), returning after last year's super season of splitting the cross bars in 27 of 31 extra point attempts. Gladd's achievements earned him a spot on the all-area team last year.

The Knights also have another weapon in returning punters Seibens and Thomas. Add sophomore kicker McKeown and you have yet another reason why the Knights should be one of the premiere special teams units in the area.

Another bonus is that this year's juniors will be together again, for the first time since they went undefeated in their freshman year. Put this altogether and what do you have? "One heck of a fun season", predicts Thorgesen.


Reprinted with permission of the Elburn Herald

Return to the beginning of Football