2024 Team Preview: Jenkintown Drakes (1)

Written by: David Mika on Saturday, August 10th, 2024. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Luke Ashenbrenner

Assistant Coaches:
Darrell Chapman
Steve Charlemagne
Steve Kidd
Rob McNamara

Team Name: Jenkintown Drakes

District: 1

Class: 1A

League: Bicentennial Athletic League

2023 Record: 3-8

8/25 Thomas Edison (5A) 3:00 pm L 6-26
9/01 Kipp-DuBois Collegiate Academy (3A) 12:00 pm L 0-14
9/08 @ Lower Moreland (4A) 7:00 pm L 13-24
9/14 @ New Hope Solebury (2A) 7:00 pm
9/22 Renaissance Academy Charter* (1A) 7:00 pm W 22-0
9/29 @ Morrisville* (1A) 7:00 pm L 3-26
10/06 Bristol* (2A) 7:00 pm L 0-36
10/13 @ Renaissance Academy Charter* (1A) 7:00 pm W 29-14
10/20 Morrisville* (1A) 7:00 pm W 18-14
10/27 @ Bristol* (2A) 7:00 pm L 0-63
11/03 @ Morrisville (1A) 7:00 pm L 0-20

Key Starters Lost:
Matt Beaudoin
Jamie Shields
James Callas
Marc Metellus
Jesse Patterson

Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr. RB Keegan Eichert, 5-9, 190
Sr. RB Nick Dvalishvili, 5-9, 160
Sr. QB Jon Williams, 5-11, 160
Sr. OL Seth Porter, 5-10, 170
Sr. OL Dom Velazquez, 5-7, 175
Sr. WR Luca Stevens, 6-0, 185
Jr. OL Lucas Velazquez, 5-8, 165
Soph. OL Anthony Ash, 5-10, 160
Soph, WR Matty Ecker, 5-9, 140

Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr. DB Keegan Eichert, 5-9, 190
Sr. DB Nick Dvalishvili, 5-9, 160
Sr. LB Seth Porter, 5-10, 170
Sr. LB Dom Velazquez, 5-7, 175
Jr. DL Lucas Velazquez, 5-8, 165
Jr. DL Max Bellew, 5-11, 200
Jr. DL Joey Gunn, 6-1, 240
Soph, DB Matty Ecker, 5-9, 140

Special Team Starters Returning:
None

Key Newcomers:
Sr. K/P Noah Wehagen, 6-0, 175

2024 Returning Player Stats:
Keegan Eichert enters his Senior season with 1,771 career rushing yards and 18 career touchdowns.
Lucas Velazquez had 10 sacks last season in his Sophomore year.

2024 Offensive Outlook: It all starts up front with the offensive line. Heading into this season we have a handful of players with some line experience. Finding the right combination and getting the front five solidified will be at the top of our list heading into training camp. Keegan Eichert returns for his Senior year. Finding creative ways to get the ball in his hands will be a priority for us, but we also know Nick Dvalishvili is a very capable back, and someone that needs to get touches.

2024 Defensive Outlook: Coach McNamara continues to do an incredible job with our defense. We have three Juniors who burst on the scene defensively last year, Lucas Velazquez, Max Bellew, and Joey Gunn. All three were incredible for us as first-time defensive starters. Finding the right spot for each of them to maximize their strengths will be important for us. Seth Porter did a great job as a linebacker last year. He will continue to call the defense and be a leader for us on that side of the ball. Matty Ecker was our best defensive back by the end of his Freshman season. We are excited to see him continue and develop for us.

2024 Special Teams Outlook: We are replacing our kicker and punter this season. Senior Noah Wehagen is taking on those duties for us and looks to continue the stretch we have had with excellent kickers.

Follow EasternPAFootball.com on Twitter @EPAFootball

---

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Δ