KENTON – The Kenton Wildcats have a football tradition of great success – six regional titles, two state runner-up finishes and two state championships.
The Wildcats are going to have to overcome a rash of injuries if they hope they hope to reach that level of success this season.
Kenton currently is looking at 16 players with injuries, including three who will miss the entire season.
“It is what it is,” Coach Brent Fackler said of the injuries. “We are just trying to get healthy.”
Long known for their no back, five receiver spread offense, the Wildcats will look to junior quarterback Jaron Sharp to replace three year starter Trent Hites.
Sharp is 6-3, 190 and is described by Fackler as someone with a lot of athleticism and a strong arm.
He will be throwing (on nearly every down) to wide receivers led by seniors Hunter Moore, Alex Stephens, Cory Ludwig, and junior Trent Lawrence.
Three returning starters on the offensive line will be counted on to provide Sharp the time he needs to find those open receivers.
Steven Stalder, Clint Kitchen, and Ian Lyons return and will be joined by Connor Galvin and Mahlik Diol will provide protection this season.
“Our offense is going to have to carry us, especially early on.” Fackler said. “We have three guys back on the line and senior receivers. “
Defensively Kenton returns junior Jon Hord to the defensive line. He will be joined by Noah Leffler, Noah Eikenbary and Austin Moore with help from senior Bruce Bartlett who was forced to sit out last season with an injury.
Linebackers include returning starter Shawn Conover with the rest of the linebackers coming from the group of Trent Lawrence, Luke Fackler, Eikenbary, and Colin Morris.
Returning defensive backs include Trent Reichelderfer and Luke Baird. Others competing for playing time in the defensive backfield include Bryce Ellis, Brian Blankenship, and Malik Jett.
“We are very young and very inexperienced defensively,” Fackler commented. “Our newcomers are going to have to step-up.”
The Wildcats open their season Friday Aug. 25 with their traditional opener against perennial state power Coldwater.
