Serpa, Kaneland multi-task their way to 4-0

It's full-steam ahead these days for Kaneland's football team.

Off to their first 4-0 start since 2006, the Knights haven't just won their first four games; they've outscored their opponents by an impressive 181-47 margin.

Offensively, the Knights are difficult to stop. Using a variety of formations, senior quarterback Joe Camiliere can beat you with his arm or his legs, evidenced by his 310 yards of total offense racked up during last Friday's 56-7 victory over LaSalle-Peru.

Camiliere also has a vast array of weapons to choose from, including 6-foot-2, 210-pound running back/wide receiver Taylor Andrews, 6-5, 230-pound wide receiver/tight end Tyler Callaghan, speedy 5-9, 160-pound wide receiver Quinn Buschbacher, and punishing 6-3, 225-pound senior running back/wide receiver Blake Serpa.

Serpa, a Central Michigan recruit, was literally all over the field against LaSalle-Peru.

He certainly was involved during the Knights' first offensive series - following a 5-yard gain with a 32-yard pass reception and 27-yard run down the left sideline to the Cavaliers' 6-yard line.

Serpa amassed 151 yards of total offense in the first half, including 102 rushing yards on just 7 carries. He also scored a pair of touchdowns as the Knights built a 35-7 halftime advantage.

His second TD run, covering 48 yards, was a personal highlight reel as he slipped past a pair of LaSalle-Peru defenders near the 25-yard line then angled toward the right sideline before launching himself in full extension across the goal line from the 3.

Serpa didn't just contribute on offense, either. The Knights' starting defensive lineman harassed Cavaliers sophomore quarterback Zack Cinotto throughout, recording 2 of his team's 6 first-half sacks.

He also blocked for extra-point kicks and was an end rusher on punts.

"I just like being out here," Serpa said after the Knights' second consecutive 50-plus point explosion. "Every high school kid is going to say they like scoring best but I really like them both (playing offense and defense)."

One week earlier, Serpa caught TD passes of 63 and 47 yards, ran for an 11-yard TD, recorded 4 tackles, had 3 quarterback hurries, a sack and blocked a punt during Kaneland's 55-6 rout of Dixon.

The third-year varsity veteran's all-around game has certainly caught the attention of the Knights' coaching staff, primarily head coach Tom Fedderly.

"He has looked like a kid that was just waiting for a chance to be a senior and to be a leader," said Fedderly. "He has really stepped up big for us. He's a good, vocal leader and he's leading by example.

"It's everything we were hoping that he would do," added Fedderly. "We couldn't be happier with him."

Perhaps the game has slowed down a bit for the high-motor Serpa.

"I've been playing up since sophomore year and I've always been the younger kid," said Serpa. "This year, things are clicking a lot more and I'm trying to provide senior leadership to some of our younger guys."

While the Knights have nine senior defensive starters, their offensive line includes a freshman (Alex Snyder), sophomore (Nick Sharp), 2 juniors (Ben Kovalick and Ryan Noel), and a senior (Sam Komel).

"Our offensive line is young but very athletic," said Serpa. "They did a fantastic job (Friday). All I had to do was get out there and beat one person, and our O-line did the rest."

Serpa credits a strenuous summer conditioning program with preparing him for his senior season.

"It was by far the toughest summer I've had," said Serpa, who suffered a hamstring injury during last spring's track campaign and therefore wasn't able to do any football conditioning until the summer.

"We did a lot of different-type workouts," added Serpa. "Probably the worst one was the max-out pushups where we couldn't stop for 20 minutes straight. They weren't much fun but the summer was very crucial to what we do best - a lot of timing plays."

Serpa, who figures to play at defensive end in college, has successfully made the switch from linebacker to the D-line.

"This is my first year as a down lineman," said Serpa. "The main difference is that there's not as many reads to make as when I played linebacker."

Serpa credits defensive coordinator Joe Thorgesen - yes, the same guy who guided Kaneland to back-to-back state championships in 1997 and 1998 - for his expertise.

"Coach 'Thorge' came in and simplified everything," said Serpa. "He must work seven hours a day on defensive stuff and it shows. He has us all in the right positions."

It's something that Fedderly has noticed with Serpa all season long.

"We saw flashes of it last year, and we were hoping we were going to get it every game this year," said Fedderly. "He has figured it out."

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