ProfessorBriggs.com

(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives)

KENNEDY CATHOLIC GOLDEN EAGLES 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Head Coach: John Reay, 1st year (0-0)
Last Year: 0-7

***

HERMITAGE -- If one had to describe the 2021 Kennedy Catholic football team in one word, the term "new" would probably be the best choice. The Golden Eagles have a new head coach and coaching staff, along with an almost entirely new starting lineup. Even Butala Stadium has a new coat of paint on the home bleachers.

Sharon native John Reay has taken over as head coach for Kennedy, which restarted its varsity football program in 2020. A 2002 Sharon High grad, Reay has been the longtime operator of the Western Pennsylvania Wildcatz semi-pro football organization as well as an assistant coach at a number of high schools in the Allegheny Valley, near Pittsburgh. This is his first head coaching opportunity at the high school level.

"We're pretty much starting from scratch," Reay said. "We have a nice core of guys who have been here since February. Everything has been going well because they have been picking up on the schemes, the culture and how we want to run things. For being young and only having one senior, they're getting it. They're buying in."

Freshmen and sophomores comprise the bulk of Kennedy's 18-man roster. Senior fullback/linebacker Kole Tarary is the team's lone senior this fall. He will be a featured ball-carrier and will start at inside linebacker on defense. Last year, Tarary played running back, offensive line, defensive line and linebacker for the Golden Eagles.

"He can play anywhere on the field," Reay said. "He's a hard-nosed kid."

Freshman Rayvion Wilbon-Venable will start at quarterback for the Golden Eagles, according to Reay. "He has a lot of talent and he's a 4.0 student. He's picked up the playbook and he's light years ahead of a normal freshman."

Junior letterman Jermaine Dunlap will start at wide receiver, along with sophomore Simeir Wade. Wade caught six passes last season as a freshman at Sharon. Sophomore Dalton Byerly will man the tight end position in Kennedy's spread offense.

"We have an athletic quarterback," Reay said. "We're going to run the ball a lot, but we want to be balanced. We're not going to be one-dimensional. Our playbook is a little more complex but these kids have picked it up easily."

Sophomore guard Elias Lawson returns as a starter on the offensive line and will help lead that youthful unit. "He's been in the gym and working on his footwork," Reay said of the 230-pound Lawson. "He wants to get to that next level. You see him and you'd think he's a senior."

Sophomore letterman Kamerin Gwin will look to earn a starting spot at tackle, along with 255-pound sophomore Marcel Cheeks. Sophomore Eric Pagan has the inside track at center and sophomore Blaiden Parcetich will man the other guard spot. Parcetich started as a freshman last year at West Middlesex.

Defensively, Kennedy will use the 3-4 this year. "We're kind of slim on our big guys, but we have linebackers galore and defensive backs," Reay said.

Lawson, Pagan and Gwin are projected to start up front. All-Region selection Tarary and Elijah Smith will play inside linebacker. Byerly and junior Sean Yeager will start at outside linebacker. Yeager played extensively last season on defense.

"Sean Yeager has come a long way," Reay said. "He has been working hard and is going to be something special this year."

Another returning defensive starter, junior Blaze Campbell, will lead the secondary from the strong safety position. Campbell had two interceptions last year and also scored on an 83-yard fumble return.

"He's our quarterback on defense," Reay said. "He's really picked up the playbook and he knows what everyone is supposed to be doing."

Wade will join Campbell as free safety while Dunlap starts at cornerback. Reay noted that several players are in contention for the other cornerback slot.

Reay noted the strength of the league and the importance of the Class 1A games against Mercer and Reynolds. The Golden Eagles host Mercer in the August 28 season opener, then visit Reynolds in Week Two.

"We have to stay healthy and stick together," Reay said. "We're young, but I like our 11 that we'll put out there."