Who\u2019s next?<\/p>\n
That seems to be the hot-button topic on the Kentwood High gridiron these days when it comes to discussing the backfield.<\/p>\n
And understandably so as star running back Dimitrius Bronson has flown the Kentwood coop for the University of Washington while second-team all-leaguer Kory Rodriguez also has graduated, leaving a stable of unproven ballcarriers to fill the void.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that you can really replace a Dimitrius Bronson,\u201d said fifth-year Kentwood coach Rex Norris of the South Puget Sound League North Division\u2019s \u201807 Offensive Player of the Year. \u201cWe asked that same question before. \u2018Who\u2019s going to take over for Travis Nauta? Who takes over for Kenjamine Jackson? Who takes over for Kevin Jones?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, ask Norris\u2019 coaching counterparts around the SPSL North the same question and you\u2019re sure to get the same response: Kentwood\u2019s always has somebody coming up through the ranks capable of ripping off yet another 1,000-yard season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some talented athletes,\u201d Norris continued. \u201cIf one can\u2019t do it, we feel confident that we have three or four other guys who can.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that \u201ccan-do\u201d nature of the Kentwood program, particularly with the running game, that has allowed it to become one of the most successful in the state. A matter of fact, since the school opened in 1981, Kentwood has never endured a single losing season.<\/p>\n
One of the keys to that success has been a running game that simply doesn\u2019t miss a beat. If one star running back graduates, the Conquerors always seem to have another waiting in the wings. In 2001, it was Jones. In 2002, it was Will Thompson followed by Jackson (2003-2004), Nauta (2004) and finally Bronson (2005-2007), who went on to establish the school\u2019s career rushing mark with 3,683 yards.<\/p>\n
So who\u2019s next?<\/p>\n
That won\u2019t be answered for a few more weeks, Norris said, but the stable remains full of guys ready to answer the call, including seniors Darrius Coleman, Joe Angevine, Steven Warner and junior Ronnie Flowers among a handful of others.<\/p>\n
\u201cDimitrius was a key player,\u201d Angevine said. \u201cI think it\u2019s more of a team feel, a family feel. We\u2019re all diverse runners who have diverse styles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kentwood will need every bit of that diversity, especially in the early season when it opens with Class 3A power Kennedy on Sept. 6 in the Kickoff Classic at Qwest Field followed by league heavyweights Auburn and Tahoma.<\/p>\n
But with the label of running back at Kentwood High comes a certain level of pressure, Coleman concedes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I have to step up because there have been so many running backs here,\u201d said Coleman, a 5-foot-10, 190-pounder who received a handful of carries at the varsity level a year ago. \u201cKevin Jones, Dimitrius Bronson, Travis Nauta … I feel I have to step my game up.\u201d<\/p>\n
And while the Conquerors don\u2019t yet have the backfield situation officially straightened out, they do return one of the North\u2019s top offensive lines, led by all-leaguers Hunter Blackmore (6-3\/255) and Greg Humphries (6-3\/240) along with Nathan Herrick (6-2\/240).<\/p>\n
Like the backfield at Kentwood, the work of the line has been one of the program\u2019s strongest staples through the years. A staple that quietly has paved the way in helping the Conquerors finish among the SPSL\u2019s top five teams in rushing every season since 2000.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the center, I don\u2019t get much attention,\u201d points out Blackmore, who is being recruited by Air Force, Boise State and a host of Ivy League schools. \u201cBut I take pride in hearing (the running backs) get mentioned. That\u2019s what I love to see, them succeeding.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a program that prides itself on being able to run the ball down opponents\u2019 throats \u2014 and stop it just as effectively on defense \u2014 Blackmore hopes this year\u2019s group simply follows the blueprint of past teams.<\/p>\n
Though, Blackmore said, there\u2019s even more reason for optimism as senior Luke Angevine now will be in his third year as the starting quarterback. It\u2019s the first time since the Carl Bonnell era (1999-2001) that Kentwood had had a three-year starter at the position.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Luke being in his third year, he\u2019s solid,\u201d Blackmore said. \u201cHe\u2019s really stepped up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angevine, an honorable mention selection a year ago, is ready to deliver, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my senior year … I have to execute the most of any other year,\u201d he said. \u201cI feel I am prepared to do my job well.\u201d<\/p>\n
If all goes according to plan \u2014 as it generally does at Kentwood High \u2014 the Conquerors should be well on their way to a 10th straight postseason berth.<\/p>\n
And, in the process, those questions of \u2018Who\u2019s next?\u2019 will once again be emphatically answered.<\/p>\n
KENTWOOD CONQUERORS<\/p>\n
AT A GLANCE<\/p>\n
\u2022 Coach: Rex Norris, fifth year.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Last season: 5-2 in SPSL North play, tied for second in the division, 6-4 overall.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Offense: Pro I.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Defense: 5-2.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Returning starters (Name, year, position, height\/weight): Luke Angevine, sr., QB\/DB, 6-0\/170; Hunter Blackmore, sr., OL\/DL, 6-3\/255; Greg Humphries, sr., OL\/DL, 6-3\/240; Nathan Herrick, jr., OL\/DL, 6-2\/240; Steven Warner, sr., RB\/LB, 6-1\/190; Henry Everett, sr., WR\/OLB, 5-11\/180; Brian Carlson, sr., FB\/LB, 5-9\/190.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Key newcomers: Darrius Coleman, sr., RB\/DB, 5-10\/190; Devin St. Clair, sr., WR\/DB, 6-2\/180; Danny Bounds, sr., WR\/DB, 5-11\/165; Joe Angevine, sr., RB\/OLB, 6-0\/190; Robert Sims, sr., RB\/DL, 6-0\/260; Brian Glaholt, sr., OL\/DL 6-0\/255; Allain Songco, jr., WR\/OLB, 6-0\/190; T.J. Marcus, jr., OL\/DL, 6-4\/320; Triston Askew, jr., WB\/DB, 5-10\/165; Ronnie Flowers, jr., RB\/DB, 5-10\/165.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Outlook: As always, Kentwood enjoyed a nice turnout of more than 100 players. And while star running back Dimitrius Bronson is now playing at the University of Washington, there\u2019s no shortage of talent at the Covington school. With seven starters back on both sides of the ball, including all-leaguers Blackmore and Humphries to anchor the line, this should be a team plenty capable of moving the sticks. Unlike previous years, there\u2019s not a single go-to running back, though the Conquerors do have ample options with Coleman, Warner, Joe Angevine and Flowers, among others. Adding to the optimism is the fact that, unlike last season, this is a rather experienced group. That experience should go a long way in the early season, when Kentwood faces Kennedy in its opener, followed by Auburn and Tahoma. When it\u2019s all said and done, the Conquerors should be vying for their 10th straight postseason appearance.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Can\u2019t-miss game: There likely won\u2019t be a more entertaining game on the entire schedule than Sept. 18, when the Conquerors play host to Tahoma. The Bears have been the one team in the North that ultimately has had Kentwood\u2019s number, beating the Conquerors three straight times, culminating with last year\u2019s 21-20 double-overtime thriller. That three-year stretch includes a 2005 barnburner in which Kentwood was on Tahoma\u2019s 2-yard line with just seconds remaining, but fumbled away the ball in an epic 13-11 loss. Both teams should be in the playoff hunt and this game could ultimately decide seeding at season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n
LAST FIVE YEARS<\/b><\/p>\n
YEAR RECORD<\/p>\n
2007 6-4<\/p>\n
2006 6-4<\/p>\n
2005 8-3<\/p>\n
2004 9-3<\/p>\n
2003 9-2<\/p>\n
SCHEDULE<\/b><\/p>\n
DATE OPPONENT TIME<\/p>\n
9-6 vs. Kennedy 5:30 p.m.#<\/p>\n
9-12 at Auburn 7 p.m.***<\/p>\n
9-18 vs. Tahoma 7 p.m.*<\/p>\n
9-26 at A. Riverside 7 p.m.***<\/p>\n
10-3 vs. K-Meridian 7 p.m.*<\/p>\n
10-11 at Jefferson 7 p.m.**<\/p>\n
10-17 vs. Federal Way 7 p.m.*<\/p>\n
10-24 at Kentridge 7 p.m.*<\/p>\n
10-31 vs. Kentlake 7 p.m.*<\/p>\n
# Game at Qwest Field<\/p>\n
* Game at French Field<\/p>\n
** Game at Federal Way Stadium<\/p>\n
*** Game at Auburn Memorial Stadium<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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