Offensive Preview:
The Fighting Irish return one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in Class A this year. Senior quarterback Hakeem Kinard is back after having a huge year for York Catholic last year. He passed for over 1,700 yards and rushed for over 1,100 yards in his first year as the starter on varsity. With the weapons he has this year, look for him to put up bigger numbers than last year.
“Hakeem is an outstanding athlete and gives us options. He’s our quarterback that can throw, but he’s like our running back also. We’re a no huddle offense and we can pick up the pace if we have too.”
His strengths are that he is very accurate and has a strong arm. He’s a great runner with lots of speed. He’s hard to defend.
Last year they lost their main running back early in the second scrimmage and Hakeem was the main running back. This year they have guys that can take the pressure off him a little bit.
“When we got in the District game teams would just key in on him. They knew if they could shut him down we would be in trouble.”
Greg Bennett is a candidate at the running back.
“Greg did play a little running back in spurts last year for us. This summer at some of our camps Greg has been really running hard and looks good.”
Jack Burnside is another candidate who has some experience running the ball from last year. He had over 400 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He got in there last year and did a good job for us. He could be our quick hitting back this year. ”
One other guy that might get some carries is Hakeem’s brother. He is sophomore Jakkar Kinard.
“He has good size and is fast. He’s another guy in the mix.”
Until they find that right mix, these three guys will all get carries.
Qua’ Shawn Grooms will get some carries especially at the goal line.
“He’s a young man that is capable of being a running back if we need it.”
Sean Lamont will play fullback/tight end this year.
“We need guys that can protect the edge and block. He may get some carries this year.”
The strength of the team is at wide receiver. They are loaded with a lot of talent and speed. They return three starters.
Their leader at wide receiveris Qua’ Shawn Grooms. He was the leading receiver last year with 40 catches.
Dan Yokemick started last year as a freshman. He did a good job last year and averaged almost 15 yards per catch.
Scott Bartkowiak is the other big receiver back for the Fighting Irish.
“Our strength on offense will be with these three guys.”
The three guys combined last year for 74 catches and 1,175 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“With our offense this could be our running game also. We can throw bubble screens and we can throw some quick outs. We can run our jet sweeps, so we can do a lot of different things with these guys.”
They have some kids like Joe Bauhof who was a quarterback and is now a receiver.
“He’s a kid that is going to step up in there and get some playing time.”
They have a new kid coming out at receiver and he’s Jake Krevetski.
Luke Brennan will be the tight end. He’s a kid they can spread out too.
The offensive line graduated four players and they are only returning one starter from last year’s team.
“We lost four great lineman from last years team. We were big last year and this year we have more speed upfront and better athletes. It’s a matter of them getting more reps.”
Michael Sterling is the only returning lineman and is a two-year starter. He was a tackle last year.
“He’s very intelligent and quick. He’s our leader on the line.”
They have five or six guys that will be battling for playing time on the line.
Joe Heldrich was a tight end last year and backup center.
“He’s the front runner for the center position this year.”
Adam Bittner was brought up as a freshman last year and was a backup.
Steven Brenneman played some last year at the guard position when a lineman went down. He’s a front-runner at guard.
Ryan Ratchford is their biggest and strongest lineman.
“I feel we have the young men there. It’s a matter of getting the chemistry. We have a lot of speed.”
Steve Ream is another kid that will battle for a position or add depth.
Defensive Preview:
Joe Heldrich has some experience coming back on the defensive line. Ryan Ratchford, Adam Bittner are two guys that could fill that void on the line. Luke Brennan is a bigger kid that might see sometime on the line.
“We run a 4-3 defense and sometime we walk up our outside linebacker. It’s like having a five man front.”
His name is Scott Bartkowiak.
“We have to find some guys up front and that is a concern going into the season. The back end of the defense I think we’re solid. Our defensive key is to engage guys up front and keep them off the linebackers.”
Michael Sterling is another kid that played some linebacker last year. He may get a look on the line.
“We are going to try and rotate a lot of guys.
At linebacker the Fighting Irish return two players from last years defense. Outside linebacker Scott Bartkowiak led his team with four interceptions last year.
“Scott is the outside linebacker and we like to move him around. He’s a physical kid and can cover the flat.”
Dan Yokemick had over 40 total tackles in his first year on varsity.
“Dan was a freshman last year. We plugged him in week three and did a great job for us. He’s a very intelligent young man and he understands the game. It comes natural to him. He knows where to be and gets it. He has great instincts and great vision. He is also our backup quarterback.”
The third spot is open. Sean Lamont could be that guy.
“That will be our Mike linebacker spot.”
Steve Brenneman played some inside linebacker last year. So, he has some experience there.
The strength of the defense is the secondary. They return two defensive backs and one safety from last year’s team.
“We have a lot of speed back there and we are very athletic.”
Corner back Hakeem Kinard is the leader in the secondary and is a two-year starter and played a little bit his freshman year. He had two interceptions last year.
“Hakeem is an outstanding corner back and a lot of teams don’t throw to his side. He’s a solid corner. He’s a good cover guy that has speed. He will come up and hit you.”
Greg Bennett is a returning defensive back who had three pics last year and 28 total tackles.
“It’s nice to have two solid corners back. Greg did a good job for us last year.”
Qua’ Shawn Grooms is a returning safety.
“If we go 4-4 look we can walk him up. He’s the bigger kid. He’s a solid kid and a great athlete.”
Jack Burnside is a guy they are looking at one of the safety positions. He can play some linebacker too.
A new kid coming out named Jake Krevetski is an athletic kid they are looking at in the secondary. Jakkar Kinard is another one to keep an eye on. Joe Bauhof is having a good spring.
“We have a lot of candidates that we’re looking at. We have depth in the secondary.”
Special teams Preview:
Last year Hakeem Kinard did kick returns. Greg Bennett returned punts. Qua’Shawn Grooms will be back there.
“Maybe we may use Jakkar in that role this year. It’s kind of up in the air right now. We have a lot of speed. On kickoff returns a lot of those guys will be there. Punt returns, the key is to find a guy that isn’t afraid to catch the ball. We could put any of those guys back there who did it last year.”
Dan Yokemick did the punting and kicking. Luke Brennan could maybe do extra points or kick offs.
Joe Heldrich is the long snapper and Jake Krevetski has done long snapping.
HEAD COACH: ERIC DEPEW 4TH SEASON (16-17)
2013 RECORD: 8-4 DIST 3 RUNNER-UP
KEY STARTERS LOST: SR MILES ELLIOTT WR/DB- SR DOUG MILLS FB/LB- SR TRAVIS FISHER RB/DL- SR IAN SHELLEY OL/DL- SR BRADLEE ROSENZWEIG OL/DL- SR MIKE CONNOR OL/DL- SR BEN SMITH OL/DL
OFF STARTERS RETURNING: (5) SR HAKEEM KINARD QB- SOPH DAN YOKEMICK WR- SR QUA’SHAWN GROOMS WR- SR SCOTT BARTKOWIAK WR- SR MICHAEL STERLING OL-
DEF STARTERS RETURNING: (5) SR HAKEEM KINARD DB- SR GREG BENNETT DB- SOPH DAN YOKEMICK LB- SR QUA’SHAWN GROOMS S- SR SCOTT BARTKOWIAK OLB-
KEY NEWCOMERS: SR GREG BENNETT RB- JR JOE BAUHOF WR/DB- JR SEAN LAMONT FB/LB- JR JOE HELDRICH OL/DL- SR STEVEN BRENNEMAN OL/LB- SOPH ADAM BITTNER OL/DL- JR RYAN RATCHFORD OL/DL- JR LUKE BRENNAN TE/DL- SOPH JAKKAR KINARD RB/DB- SR JAKE KREVETSKI WR/DB- SR JACK BURNSIDE RB/DB
DIV 1 [FBS-FCS] PROSPECTS: SR HAKEEM KINARD QB/DB- SR QUA’SHAWN GROOMS WR/DB
STATS: KINARD- COMP 51%/1700 YDS 19 TDS 6 INT>1174 YDS RUSHING 13 TDS
2014 OFF/DEF OUTLOOK: LOTS OF ATHLETES WITH SPEED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. WITH LEADERSHIP AND THE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE LINE WORKING AS ONE, WE COULD HAVE A GOOD SEASON.
