Kaneland ready for new challenge
It was reassuring that when asked what Kaneland would do for an encore after last year’s landmark season, Knights coach Tom Fedderly gave the same stock answer he did every week in 2010.
“We’re just going to try to go 1-0,” he said. “This is a new year, a new team and we’re just going to try to take it one at a time.”
It definitely is a new group from the one that until its sole loss in the Class 5A semifinals, against eventual champion Montini, matched standards set by Kaneland’s title teams of 1997 and 1998.
The Knights graduated about two total decades worth of experienced top talent: Blake Serpa, Jimmy Boyle, Tyler Callaghan, Taylor Andrews, Sam Komel, Kyle Davidson and last season’s Tri-Cities All-Area honorary captain, quarterback Joe Camiliere.
They also lost Daniel Helm, who looked great as a freshman receiver but moved to Springfield. Even Fedderly’s defensive coordinator Joe Thorgesen, the Hall of Fame coach of those state championship teams, finally and officially retired.
Things change. “Thorgy’s” left guard on those 1997-98 teams, Keith Snyder, is now defensive coordinator; Thorgesen’s son, Mike, is a new chemistry teacher helping coach the freshmen.
And there are new reasons for optimism.
“I think if we can stay healthy, by the end of the year we can be a pretty good team,” Fedderly said.
A great start is up front, where all-conference lineman Ben Kovalick enters his third season as a starting lineman, his second on both offense and defense. Four of five offensive linemen return: Kovalick, Alex Snyder, Nick Sharp and Ryan Noel, the latter a Northern Illinois Big 12 East all-conference pick.
“That’s what we’re really going to hang our hat on,” Fedderly said. “Plus, I really think our team speed is pretty good.”
All-area receiver Quinn Buschbacher, who visited eight different college camps this summer, caught 56 passes for 848 yards and 10 touchdowns and is a dangerous kickoff and punt returner. Adding speed are fellow all-conference returnees Sean Carter, a 500-yard receiver, and cornerback Jacob Razo.
At quarterback Kaneland is grooming a new potential three-year starter in sophomore Drew David. No stranger to prep varsity experience, David started on the varsity basketball team last season.
Several of the key personnel will turn around and join returning starter Kory Harner on defense.
Fedderly admits not having Camiliere and Co. around is a bit odd. He also said it’s very nice blending sophomores like David, lineman Shane Jorgensen and running back Jesse Baluff with five all-conference players who return league title and state semifinal experience.
“You know, it’s a new challenge and these are new kids and we’re having fun,” Fedderly said.
Kaneland breakdown
Coach: Tom Fedderly (5th year, 27-15).
2009 record: 12-1, 5-0, won conference.
Postseason: Three straight playoff appearances.
Last five years (starting in 2006): 11-2, 4-5, 5-4, 6-4, 12-1
Total: 38-16
2011 Enrollment: 1310
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
8/26 Chicago Brooks 7:30
9/2 Huntley 7:30
9/9 at Dixon 7:30
9/16 at LaSalle Peru 7:30
9/23 Rochelle 7:30*
9/30 at DeKalb 7:30*
10/7 Yorkville 7:30*
10/14 at Sycamore 7:30*
10/21 at Morris 7:30*
* denotes conference game
Probable starters
Offense (Spread)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB David Drew 5-11/165 So.
RB Jacob Razo 5-8/160 Sr.
WR Sean Carter 6-1/195 Sr.*
WR Quinn Buschbacher 5-10/175 Sr.*
WR Zack Martinelli 5-10/160 Jr.
WR Kyle Pollastrini 6-0/175 Jr.
LT Zach Theis 6-3/245 Jr.
LG Shane Jorgensen 6-1/235 So.
C Nick Sharp 6-0/230 Jr.*
RG Ben Kovalick 6-0/235 Sr.*
RT Alex Snyder 6-0/270 So.*
K Matt Rodriguez 6-1/200 So.*
Defense (3-5)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
NT Ben Kovalick 6-0/235 Sr.*
DL Nick Sharp 6-0/230 Jr.
DL Zach Theis 6-3/245 Jr.
OLB Mike Tattoni 5-11/180 Sr.
ILB Brandon Stahl 6-2/180 Sr.
MLB Gary Koehring 5-11/190 So.
ILB Ryan Lawrence 5-10/185 Jr.
OLB Blake Bradford 5-10/160 Jr.
S Kory Harner 5-11/165 Jr.*
CB Jacob Razo 5-8/160 Sr.*
CB Joey Cozzi 6-0/170 Sr.
P Ryan Fuchs 6-2/175 Sr.
* denotes returning starter