KENTWOOD CONQUERORS

FOOTBALL: AT A GLANCE

• Coach: Rex Norris, fifth year.

• Last season: 5-2 in SPSL North play, tied for second in the division, 6-4 overall.

• Offense: Pro I.

• Defense: 5-2.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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’s 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’s 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’s all said and done, the Conquerors should be vying for their 10th straight postseason appearance.

• Can’t-miss game: There likely won’t 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’s number, beating the Conquerors three straight times, culminating with last year’s 21-20 double-overtime thriller. That three-year stretch includes a 2005 barnburner in which Kentwood was on Tahoma’s 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’s end.

LAST FIVE YEARS

YEAR RECORD

2007 6-4

2006 6-4

2005 8-3

2004 9-3

2003 9-2

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