LEHMAN TWP. – Lake-Lehman will face some teams that have more quantity in terms of number of players on their roster, but Black Knights football coach Jerry Gilsky is counting on his 33-man squad to feature the quality and intensity needed to be successful.
The injuries that disrupted the team at times in the 2016 season led to many players getting game action. The Black Knights will try to put that experience to good use as they seek to bounce back from a season-ending, three-game losing streak that left Lake-Lehman with a 5-6 overall record following its District 2 Class 3A playoff loss to GAR.
“It’s a really good group of kids,” Gilsky said of this year’s team. “It’s senior-short. We only have seven seniors.
“With all those injuries, a lot of young guys played last year, so we’ve got to just keep building on that.”
Gilsky likes the early signs.
“There’s a lot of guys in the mix,” he said. “It’s an interesting group.
“You look at the roster and there’s just 33 kids, but there’s a lot of quality there. That’s an asset to have. … Everybody’s pushing each other.”
There is some experience at almost every offensive spot.
Kaleb Konigus is back at center with Ian Evans and Jack Symeon at the two tackles. Dakota Heinrich will also see some time in a rotation at the tackle spot.
T.J. Meehan, who was in the rotation last season, will be at guard with Elmer Souder.
Josh Durling returns at tight end.
“We’re moving around a little bit trying to find the right combination, but we’re pretty solid there,” Gilsky said.
Matt Kurtz returns at fullback along with two experienced halfbacks. Trey Borger, who had last season cut short by injury, and Zack Kojadinovich, who took over as a freshman and finished second on the team in rushing, are the halfbacks.
Nate O’Donnell, who started two years ago, will be the quarterback.
Tyler Billotti is at split end.
Gilsky plans to rotate defensive tackles. Konigus is back and will play there along with Souder, Heinrich and Evans.
Durling is back at one end spot. Meehan has some starting experience at the other and Symeon, who could also play linebacker, will be in the mix, as well.
Frank Kutz and Borger are back at inside linebacker with Kurtz also in the rotation.
Nate O’Donnell returns at one outside linebacker spot. Jarrett Cummings and David Horgerbe could handle the other spot.
There are many players being considered for spots in an inexperienced secondary.
Billotti and Liam O’Brien are safeties.
Nate LaBar, Casey Kaminski, Floyd McCroy and Sean Sabaluski are among the other defensive backs looking for playing time.
The Black Knights are expected to occupy their usual position fighting to finish among the top small schools in the Wyoming Valley Conference.
Lake-Lehman opens Aug. 26 at Meyers in what could be a battle between the top two teams in the WVC Class 3A/A Division. It plays the home opener Sept. 1 against last year’s top team, Northwest, before hosting defending District 2 Class 3A champion Scranton Prep.
The rest of the schedule is: Sept. 14, at GAR; Sept. 22, HANOVER AREA; Sept. 29, TUNKHANNOCK; Oct. 6, at Nanticoke; Oct. 13, HOLY REDEEMER; Oct. 20, at Berwick; Oct. 27, at Dallas.
