2019 Team Previews: Northampton Konkrete Kids (11)

Written by: David Mika on Friday, August 9th, 2019. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Kyle Haas

Assistant Coaches: Shawn Daignault, Mike Feifel, Dan Kendra, Stip Fedorak, Nick Artinger, Drew Morrissey, Bob Kohler, Chris Gordon, Rob Holmes, Zach Winter

Team Name: Northampton Konkrete Kids

2018 Record: 8-4

Twitter: @konkretekids

Hudl Highlights:

Key Starters Lost: Nate Bendekovits, Hunter Werkheiser, Kyle Wescoe, Aiden Jones, Jared Everett, Matt Wiest

Offensive Starters Returning: (5) Jr. Qb Joe Kerbacher (6’-165), Sr. RB Tyrese Brandon (6’1-180), Sr. WR Jared Russell (5’10-180), SR RB Josh Gaycheck (6’-185), So. TE Andrew Sharga (6’3-210)

Defensive Starters Returning: (6) Sr. CB, Tyrese Brandon (6’1”-180), Sr. CB Jared Russell (5’10”-180), Sr. FS Spencer Cole (5’11”-165), Sr. ILB Mason Gunkle (5’10”-195), Sr. OLB Nick Caiazzo (5’11-185), Sr. OLB/SS Josh Gaycheck (6’-185).

Special Team Starters Returning: (2) Jr. K/P Aidan Reinhard (5’10-160), Sr. Holder Ben Yost (6’3-180).

Key Newcomers: (18) Sr. C/DE Dario Walnock (6’3” 245), Jr. OT/DT Sam Nelson (6’ 280), Jr. RB/CB Mike Cruz (5’9-170), Sr. OG/DE Tyler Walling (5’10-230), Jr. OG/DE Cody Schucker (5’10-220), Jr TE/OLB Kyle Perl (6’1”-200), Jr. RB/OLB Owen Baker (5’11-185), Jr. FB/ILB John Mannino (5’9-200), Sr. WR/OLB James Robinson (6’3”-195), SO. OT/NG David Weekes (6’4-285), So OT/DE Ethan Schweitzer (5’10-230), So. OG/DE Austin Cavallo (5’11-245), So. WR-FS Kevin Lopez (6’1”-175), So. WR-CB Victor Hunt (5’9”-160), So. FB/ILB Makei Hubert (5’10-200), Jr. FB/ILB Zion Raub (5’9-190), Sr. WR/FS Sebastian Rosario (5’11”-190), Sr. OG/DE Aidan Kromer (5’10”-205).

Key Stats: Tyrese Brandon was our leading rusher from last season (1,066 yds) and TD’s (22). Brandon, Kerbacher, Russell, Caiazzo and Gaycheck accounted for 70% of our offensive production. Gunkle was second in tackles at ILB. Kerbacher threw for 7 TD’s and rushed for 2 TD’s in 5 games.

2019 Offensive Outlook: Offensively, we will rely on our leadership from our skill positions. We are replacing 5 seniors from Last years offensive line. Nelson started 2 games at right tackle. Walnock, Nelson, Schucker, and Walling had a great spring. The keys for us offensively are the same as last year. Take care of the football and limit mental errors. Brandon (22 TD’s), Gaycheck (7 TD’s), Cruz (2 TD’s), Caiazzo (4 TD’s), Russell (2 TD’s), And Cole are all playmakers. Brandon is currently 7th (all time rushing) in school history.

2019 Defensive Outlook: Defensively, we return 6 starters. We feel good about our athleticism in the back end. Our secondary is very experienced. We expect Gunkle to have a great season. Sam Nelson will anchor the defensive line at NG. We want to rotate as many defensive lineman to keep our offensive linemen fresh. The kids did a great job in the weightroom. We want to continue to improve our physicality. Defensively we want to create turnovers and limit mental mistakes. Tackling is always a priority.

2019 Special Teams Outlook: Aidan Reinhard tied a school record last year for PAT’s made. His leg is much stronger than last season. We feel confident in Aiden’s ability to convert FG’s from 30 yards in. His punting has improved significantly.