Going back to the 2008 season, few teams have had more playoff success than the Simon Kenton Pioneers, led by head coach Jeff Marksberry. The Pioneers have been to 4 of the previous 5 region championship games and during that span, also made an appearance in the statechampionship game. Heading in to the 2013 season, the Pioneers look to continue that trend of deep playoff runs.

 

“ Our kids have worked hard at buying in to the expectations that our coaching staff have set for them,” Said Coach Marksberry.” That taste of success back in 2008 (state championship runner up) has kind of lingered around here and our kids want to build upon the success that group set and our kids have really bought in to being a successful program that started with that group in 2008.”

 

Expectations for this group will once again be high and one of the biggest reasons for that is the return of senior quarterback Brennan Kuntz on offense, who piled up over2,000 yards passing and over 350 yards rushing a season ago.

 

“ Obviously Brennan is one of our leaders, “ Coach Marksberry said. “ He does a great job at running our offense and understanding what he needs to do make our offense successful.”

 

Kuntz is a drop back passer, which is evident by the numbers he put last year, but it is his ability to run that helps make the Pioneer signal caller so dangerous.

 

“ He’s the type of kid that can run if he has to, but doesn’t have to make running his first priority. He does a great job distributing the ball and keeping our guys on offense happy,” Said Coach Marksberry.

 

Returning with Kuntz to make this an even more potent offense is his favorite target in Grant Wassom, who had 800 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns last season as well as receiversLarsMcEntyre and Evan Meenach.

 

“ We’re excited about our ability to put the ball in the air,” Said Coach Marksberry. “ We try to be balanced but at the same time we want to spread the ball around and force teams to defend the entire field.”

 

There will benew facesatthe running back position after the loss of Andrew Sampson, who rushed for over 1000 yards last season, but Coach Marksberry feelsthey have several new guys who can step up and provide similar production.

 

“ Dillon Powell is a very explosive athlete that does great things and has great ball skills and Travis Bryson is one of the fastest kids on our team.”

 

Up front, the Neers return several big bodies to block for Kuntz and provide protection to allow Kuntz to pick a defense apart. A few of those key guys include Ben Walling, who currently holds Cornell and Columbia offers, and Cameron Hansel, who is the younger brother of current Ball Statelineman Jordan Hansel.

 

Defensively the Pioneers will try to replace linebacker Jared Bowling and Defensive back Jared Swanson, who were the heart and soul of last year’s defense. When you lose your single season tackle record holder and an athlete of Swanson's caliber, you usually will struggle in areas the following year. That simply isn'tthe case in this situation, however, as the Pioneers will return 8 starters from that group, to help make things easy for Coach Marksberry and his staff.

 

“ Some of those guys that are returning starters will step in take up some of the slack with the departure of Swanson and Bowling,” Said Coach Marksberry.

 

Leading the defense this year will be the second leading tackler from a year ago in linebacker Mike Krallman, as well as the three returning defensive line starters in Quinton Marksberry, Matt King and Brady Gowen.

 

That group should allow the defensive backs to be much more aggressive out wide and make up for some of the playmaking ability lost with the graduation of Swanson. Still, with the returning group they have in the secondary, the Pioneers will be solid.Coach Marksberry talked about the returning group.

 

“In the secondary we return our free safety in Chase Wilson,AlecZaffiro, and Austin Kelly who played forusa lot at the end of the year and did a great job in the first round (of the playoffs)against Bryan Station.”

 

Schedule wise, this Pioneer team will be tested right out of the gate as they open up on the road at 4A state runner up, Collins, then host Holy Cross, and get a pair of top 3 teams in the state for their class in 5A Conner and 2A defending state champion Newport Catholic before hosting defending 5A runner up Cooper.

 

“ Two runner ups and a state champion in the first couple weeks along with Drew Barker and Conner, we feel likeshould prepare us for what is always a brutal (6A) district,” Said Coach Marksberry. “Each week you have to be physical and ready to play.”

 

The schedule will berounded out with the 6A district schedule and then Dixie Heights and Bullitt Central in the final two games.

 

Coming off a 9-4 showing last season and region championship appearance, with all of the key guys returning mentioned above, expectations will onceagain be high.

 

“ We feel likewith the returning guys that we have, the experience, and that talent that we have, we should set our expectations high,” Coach Marskberry explained. “ Obviously we want to compete for a district title.Wewant to compete for a regional championship. We want to make another deep post season run. Our kids believe in eachother.”

 

Players to Watch:

 

Brennan Kuntz (QB)- Brennan is not only an accurate passer, but also a threat to run. The senior accounted for close to 2500 yards of total offense last season and will be counted on to produce similar numbers this year with the majority of offensive teammates back. One of his greatest strengths, however, is the leadership thatheshowsboth on and off the field.

 

Ben Walling (OT)- Walling currently holds offers from Columbia and Cornell. At6’5 280 lbs,heisnot only an outstanding tackle for the Pioneers, but also a great student, which is evident by the IVY League interest that he is receiving.

 

Cameron Hansel (OL) –Hansel is a 6’2 250lb lineman that will return as a starter up front and should be a key part of what should be a solid offensive line.

 

Travis Bryson (RB)- The senior 2 sport athlete is regarded as one of the fastest players on the team and will be counted on to make plays both in space and when taking hand offs.

 

Dillon Powell (RB)- Powell is a very explosive running back with great ball skills that will be counted on to make playsbothattherunning back position as well as in the return game.

 

Lars McEntyre (WR)- McEntyre will once again be a key part to this offense as he returns looking to improve on his 23 catches and 264 yards from a year ago.

 

Evan Meenach (WR)- Menich saw a lot of time last year and despite only having 7 catches for 108 yards, should see an increased role in this year’s offense.

 

Mike Krallman (LB)- Krallman was the second leading tackler from a season ago and will return as a 3 year starter.

 

Chase Wilson (DB)- Wilson wasthe leading interceptor last season with 5. Look for his ball hawking ability to once again be on full display this season. Wilson also had 71tackles last season.

 

Alec Zaffiro (DB)- Zaffiro started at corner a year ago and finishedwith 53 tackles on the year.

Full Interview with Coach Marksberry:

 

Aug 23, 13 Collins away 7:30 PM

Aug 30, 13 Holy Cross (Covington) home 7:00 PM

Sep 6, 13 Conner away 7:00 PM

Sep 13, 13 Newport Central Catholic home 7:00 PM

Sep 20, 13 Cooper home 7:00 PM

Sep 27, 13 Ryle home 7:00 PM

Oct 4, 13 Campbell County away 7:00 PM

Oct 11, 13 Boone County away 7:00 PM

Oct 18, 13 Dixie Heights home 7:00 PM

Oct 25, 13 Bullitt Central away 7:30 PM

they are the second best team in Kenton County

The film I saw of Kuntz (haven't seen him in person) shows that the kid is a really good passer. Nice touch. Good size.

they are the second best team in Kenton County

 

You think Cov Cath is better huh.

You think Cov Cath is better huh.

 

I love what SK has coming back. CCH should worry about beating Beechwood first.

 

I love what SK has coming back. CCH should worry about beating Beechwood first.

 

Speaking about first. I think week one we will learn quite a bit about those mighty pioneers.

Speaking about first. I think week one we will learn quite a bit about those mighty pioneers.

 

Credit to the staff for improving the schedule this year. Although there are definitely wins on there, none are cupcakes (Holmes, Pulaski, etc.). Each one of those games will be tough.

 

From last year to this year, wondering if the program has turned a corner and we're ready to play tougher oppenents week in/week out and suffer a possible loss to make us better for playoffs without fear that the W/L record has to be the most important factor.

I really like the schedule SK has this year. There are teams that will definitely get them ready for the playoffs and the run they will need to make in the post season. some very talented teams and teams that will truly test them.

They actually have a nice mix that will test them, it's no longer a schedule of teams that will pound the ball for 3 yards and a pile of dust. There are some teams the will have very balanced offenses to test SK's defense which can do nothing but help them once they reach the playoffs. Definitely not a cupcake schedule.

 

They will have once again Ryle and Boone who will pound the ball, although I'm thinking Boone may be more balanced than in years past. Conner which will deffinately use the weapons Barker has through the air as well as his feet and Cooper who most probably will be even more balanced with more passing this year than in the past. Great schedule and should be a fun year.

Wasn't talking about CovCath. Was speaking of the being second best among Kenton County School District.

they are the second best team in Kenton County

 

ccc

Wasn't talking about CovCath. Was speaking of the being second best among Kenton County School District.

 

They took it to us in '12 and I look forward to the matchup this season.

They took it to us in '12 and I look forward to the matchup this season.

 

Don't think he's talking about Dixie. Just wanna here him say it.:thumb:

Don't think he's talking about Dixie. Just wanna here him say it.:thumb:

 

Better come strong with the facts if you're going to argue that SK won't be the best team in Kenton County this year (as they were last year). DH is improving but not there yet and CovCath lost their best player. HC and Scott aren't in the conversation.