Kentridge poised for bounce-back season | Prep football preview

Kentridge High returns to the football field after a crushingly poor showing in 2013, when the Chargers scored 104 points in 10 games and went 2-8.

Kentridge’s Brian Brown

Kentridge’s Brian Brown

Kentridge High returns to the football field after a crushingly poor showing in 2013, when the Chargers scored 104 points in 10 games and went 2-8.

According to new quarterback Brian Brown and defensive lineman Braiden Beckman, they’re ready to bounce back with a veteran team of second-year returners.

“We knew we were going to have a lot of returning players,” Beckman said.

The team, almost completely new last year, now features 12 returning starters and eight newcomers. Beckman will be one of the top returning players from last year’s defensive lineup.

This is Brown’s first season starting at quarterback, having been called in to the role after Jordan Lawson transferred schools in the spring. Brown was slated as a running back.

When coach Marty Osborn first proposed the idea to him, Brown said he was reluctant, but has since grown into the role.

“I got called down to coach O’s office, and the coaches told me ‘we figure you’re the next best guy up,'” Brown said. “At first, to be completely honest, I was against it.”

But Brown, in his first year on varsity, said that after he mulled it over he decided to take the role.

“What’s going to make the team better? It’s clearly me stepping up and taking on that job,” he said.

While both boys agree that Lawson was a good player, they believe Brown will provide better offensive depth between his strong throwing arm and his ability to run the ball.

“Offensively, we put in a new playbook, and that kind of fits the personnel that we have,” Brown said.

He says that in particular he’ll be looking to senior wide receiver Rashaun West and junior running back Malik McFerrin to support him in his newfound offensive duties.

Brown and Beckman have put in work in the offseason. Beckman estimates that he’s been training for more than 20 weeks since January, and has worked with a personal trainer to improve his speed, strength and range of motion during the off season.

For Brown, much of his time was spent on building his speed, conditioning and passing skills after finding out he would be quarterback.

After last season’s showing, Brown says that the team came into their new season looking to rebuild. With the loss of Lawson, Brown says the team plans to be less reliant on a star QB and more playing to the strengths of each individual player.

“We have a whole bunch of returning guys,” Brown said. “They’re more knowledgable with the game and also on a higher level of play, having returned a year after playing varsity football. They know the game speed and they know what it takes to be the best.”

=====

Chargers at a glance

Returners

Braiden Beckman, sr., fullback/linebacker 6-feet-2, 215 pounds; Connor King, sr, kicker/punter, 5-10, 170; Anthony Randolph, sr., wide receiver/defensive back, 5-10, 160; Rashaun West, sr., WR/LB 6-2, 195; Johnny Chen, junior, WR/LB, 6-2, 195; JT Meier, jr., offensive and defensive lineman, 6-0, 275; Vincent Fesili, jr., OL/DL, 5-11, 260; Dillon Haisch, sr., defensive end, 5-10, 185; Malik McFerrin, jr., RB/DB, 5-7, 165; Jordan Johnson, sr., RB/DE 5-8, 180; Scott Moore, sr., LB, 5-8, 165; Sam Mullins, jr., WR/DB, 5-9, 170.

Newcomers

Brian Brown, jr., quarterback/DB, 6-0, 200; Jake Philpott, sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 160; Kaleb Corpuz, sr., OL/DL, 5-11, 260, Devante’ Archie, sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 145; Brayden Poffenroth, jr., tight end/DE, 6-0, 210; Jordan Omatsu, sophomore, RB/DB, 5-6, 155; Connor Dugan, so., RB/LB, 5-11, 195; Rontrell Parker, jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 290; T.J. Timai, jr., OL/DL, 5-8, 210; Tanner Conner, jr., WR/DB/LB, 6-2, 177. Andrew Paino, jr., RB/LB, 6-0, 195; Fotu Matuu, jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 263.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.

Provided by Kent School District
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Shawna Behrens

Behrens is in her 16th year of coaching and coaches three sports at Kentlake.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Kentwood senior Maimuna Kora (volleyball) and junior Nebay Kidane (cross country) take home awards.

Zoey Sling wins a challenge against Tahoma late in the second half. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Soccer: Chargers draw level with Tahoma 1-1

Kentridge remains unbeaten and eyes league title with two games remaining.

Kentlake’s Lauren Tripp attempts to clear a ball inside the Kentlake defensive third. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake girls soccer falls to Decatur 4-0

Falcons held scoreless for first time all season, but aim for postseason.

Senior linebacker Chuka Savini lead the Kentwood defense on a huge stand in the fourth quarter against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Football: Kentwood outlasts Auburn in shootout 46-44

Antoine Lee records five touchdowns in the win for the Conks.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot wins 2nd WNBA championship

Courtney Vandersloot takes title with New York Liberty after winning crown in 2021 with Chicago Sky

Kentwood senior Aly Skagen with a tip over the net for the Conks. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood volleyball sweeps Stadium, moves into playoff position

Conks currently sit in fifth place in the NPSL.