PREVIEW OF THE 1998 SEASON

Ok, let's start with the fun part of this year's team. The Offense.

Seven count 'em, seven starters will be returning on offense from last years state championship team. The right side of the line needs to be filled in and coach Thorgesen has to find a new fullback, but this should be a pretty easy task considering last years sophomore team had a winning record and the freshmen like the varsity were undefeated.

The Knights 1998 offense begins with senior quarterback Eric Delaney (6-3, 190). Last season, Delaney was 108-of-201 passing for 1,670 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning him an all-conference team berth.

"Eric was up on the varsity as a sophomore," says Thorgesen. "And he took his lumps as a sophomore, but that seasoned him to have good junior year.

"Experience can be a great teacher for that position."

Delaney has plenty of targets to pass to. His favorite receiver is P.J. Fleck (5-10 165) who caught a school record 63 passes for 918 yards last year. Fleck, also is a all-conference returner.

Junior Billy McKeown (6-0 185) is on the other side. McKeown joined Fleck in making it to the state running sprints in track, (along with fellow teammate halfback Kyle Schrader). McKeown is a true burner who will keep teams from double teaming Fleck.

Senior Shaun Wenz (5-9 175) plays the slot or "Z". Last year Wenz was second to fleck in receptions, who took his speed to the baseball diamond where he stole over 40 bases last year.

The trio has speed to burn with all three possessing soft hands. Look for more school passing records to drop again this year.

But Kaneland will not only be able to move the ball over the top, but on the ground they have equally impressive weapons.

Kyle Schrader (5-11 185) who is impossible to catch and a load to bring down is back after scoring 17 touchdowns last year on 182 for 1,231 yards. The Knights featured back is just plain fun to watch.

Senior Kurt Long (5-9 155) gives the Knights a chance to rest Schrader without much drop in production. Long is from the Kaneland school of running backs of catch me if you can and if you can you better bring a buddy. Long's playing time was limited last season as Super back Ryan West shared the halfback slot with Schrader.

Just when the defense will focus on the halfbacks, Wenz will come across on a counter to keep everyone honest. And to really shake things up Delaney can run with the best of them as well.

Whether in the air or on the ground the Knights possess speed, speed, and more speed. To opposing defenses it will look like the Knights will be attacking from everywhere.

The Fullback position however, is up grabs. Juniors Mike Merfeld, Colin Nolan, and Sophomore Ryan Schrader all have a shot before the season starts.

The line will begin with returning starters, Keith Snyder (5-9 220) who has worked in the off season to become a rock, and Junior Bryan Staker (6-0 230). They played side by side on the left half of the ball last year and will be an awesome force on all runs to the left while keeping Delaney's blind side safe.

That leaves three positions that need to be filled on the line. The center spot seems belong to sophomore Adam Schultz a bit small for the position but tough and determined to play with the big boys.

The other two spots are still up for grabs between Seniors Mike Varley, Jason Stayner, Juniors Wil Schmidt, Ron Easto, and Mike Reynerson, among others. Most probability Schmidt will be at the guard spot with Easto playing tackle, giving the Knights one of biggest lines in years.

Barring injures the Kaneland attack will be awesome to be sure. As long as the Knights are the last ones with the ball they should have the higher score on the board.

There will be few schools that will be able to match the firepower of the Knights.

Defense however, may be a different story. See Knights preseason review on the Defense.

So, if you like football - high school football, and if you like action, Peterson field is the place to be.