Ohio Football
Monday, March 22, 2010
Snapshot: Kings Knights
By Greg Shoemaker | Featured Analyst
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The 2009 season was a trying one for the Kings’ football team. The team lost 21 starters from the year before and head coach Andy Olds went down to a heart attack in the preseason. It was the perfect mix to send the Knights into a tailspin.
“Youth hurts in two ways. It can hurt you in the area of the player confidence and players who dominated are now at the bottom or at least very close to the bottom of the food chain regarding the physicality of the game,” Olds suggested.
“Secondly, no matter how you stack it, you’re still having 14 year olds play 18 year olds. There is a huge, huge difference” says Olds in regards to last year.”
Bouncing back in 2010 will not be easy.
“Turpin and Walnut will be the toughest for us in the FAVC Cardinal,” Olds added. “Our non-conference will be one of the hardest we have seen since I have been at Kings with Lebanon, Milford, Glen Este, Loveland, and Harrison.”
No matter how difficult things look down the road there is lots of reason for optimism about this team chances this upcoming season. The Knights have opportunities galore to make a statement about the resurgence of the program.
2009 RECORD: 3-7, 2-3 FAVC Cardinal, Division II, Region 8
COACHING: Andy Olds Andy Olds (100-33 @ Kings, 12 years, 100-33 overall)
Last season was tough on one of the area’s most revered coaches.
“Having to convince people that we had no choice but to play five freshmen wasn’t easy,” Olds said. “Last year we fielded the smallest senior class in my 12 years as a head coach, with only five.”
This is why this season will be one of his best coaching jobs, yet. The Kings’ head man will turn that experience into positive results in 2010.
OFFENSE: Junior Jamire Westbrook is one of the top running backs in Southwest Ohio. He is one of nine returning starters. Olds is equally excited about junior running back Brian Huffman and senior running back Austin Phipps.
The passing game will be led by senior quarterback Jonny Brewster, who is primed for a big final season.
Sophomore Justin Crull will get a chance in the passing game and will join upperclassmen tight end Blake Bates and junior receiver Nick Bird. Junior Jensen Gebhardt could also get time in what promises to be an exciting group of skilled position players.
Westbrook led the team with 916 yards rushing and 28 receptions for 412 yards receiving. The receiving trio of Crull, Bates and Bird combined to catch 47 balls for 732 yards and ten touchdowns. Of Bates’ 16 catches, seven went for scores.
DEFENSE: All-City linebacker Sean Horan leads defense that sees eight regulars return. He is joined by sophomore Austin Copeland, who had three sacks a year ago.
Tommy Schnee is the team’s top returning pass rusher. He had 4.5 sacks in ‘09. Bates picked off three passes to lead the secondary.
The Knights must do a better job at stopping the run they allowed 207 yards per game last season. Keeping the opponent out of the end zone was a problem for the team as they gave up 34 or more points in six of their seven losses.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The unit will be a major factor in helping the defense be successful. With all their specialists returning Kings will have a huge weapon at their disposal. Kicker Evan Berg went 6-10 on field goals as a freshman in ’09. Punter Zach Hilderbrand returns after averaging 35 yards per punt as a sophomore.
2010 SCHEDULE:
Aug. 27 LEBANON - 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 MILFORD - 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Harrison - 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Loveland - 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 GLEN ESTE - 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 LITTLE MIAMI - 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Walnut Hills - 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at West Carrollton - 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 WILMINGTON - 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 at Turpin - 7:30 p.m.
FINAL TAKE: There are many obstacles to overcome this upcoming season for the Knights. The schedule will be tough to navigate but in the end they will be a better team for it. This squad has all the components on offense to keep them in every game. Seven wins should get them, in the playoffs from there they must prove they can man up with the likes of Winton Woods, Turpin, Tecumseh and Trotwood–Madison. Getting to Week 11 and beyond will take a focused effort from Kings. The beauty of all of is that this squad has the make up to leave a special legacy on the program.
Shoe is in his fifth season as a TSF Featured Analyst. The 1988 Xavier University graduate is an avid college basketball fan with a strong allegiance to the Musketeers. Greg is also the Director of Operation's for TriState Football's parent company GetSports Enterprises. If you are interested in covering your team, please CONTACT US.
