Kennett

By Jeff Kerr

jkerr@dailylocal.com

@jeff_kerr on Twitter

KENNETT -- Scott Green is fine with the assumption that Kennett is in for a rebuilding year.

After all, the Blue Demons lost 16 seniors from last year’s class and are inexperienced at many key positions on both sides of the ball.

But the Kennett head coach is pleased with the way his team is growing throughout camp. He sees it watching his team practice every afternoon during the dog days of August.

“The strength of our team is the way we’re playing together,” Green said. “Our team has a bunch of selfless players, which is leading to a selfless team. Wins and losses do matter, but when we’re playing football the right way it’s a pleasure to coach. This group is doing that.”

Kennett has plenty of young players in Green’s option offense, starting with junior quarterback Nick Dunlevy, who saw significant minutes at the position last seaosn.

Dunlevy completed 11-of-15 passes for 173 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions and rushed for 219 yards in 2013. The valuable snaps last season helped Dunlevy’s maturation as a football player.

“Nick is not just taking on a returning starter’s role, but a leadership one as well,” Green said. “He’s exactly what this offense needs. We have a lot of new faces there and Nick is taking that role as the leader of the group. That’s the expectations of our quarterback.”

Dunlevy will have plenty of new faces to work with in the offense. All of the Blue Demons’ skill players are new to varsity football.

Frankie Perigo will man one of the slot receiver positions along with Myles Robinson and Jake Goudy. All three are in competition for playing time at the two spots.

Matt Boessman will line up as the fullback in the option attack. Green’s goal is to get these players to learn the basis of the offense.

“We want to create as many double teams as we can,” Green said. “That allows us to compete against some more experienced and bigger teams that we’ll face.”

The Blue Demons’ defensive line will be the strength of the team throughout the year, stating with Lee Woodall Jr., the son of former NFL All-Pro and West Chester Univeristy grad Lee Woodall.

Woodall, Matt Petrick and Thomas Wessels all are returning starters from last season. The three combined for 4.5 of Kennett’s 12 sacks.

The Blue Demons also received a transfer in Devin Nicholson, who will line up at nose tackle in the 5-2 defense. Mike Uhle will round out the defensive line. All five players are seniors.

“We’re relying on the front part of our defense to help us out,” Green said. “Devin (Nicholson) has been a pleasant surprise for us and really filled a need at the nose. This group is the strength (of the team).”

The goal in Kennett is a simple one: progression. Green belives it all starts with allowing his players to play just on one side of the ball and get as many reps there as possible.

“We trying to be too platooned: 11 on offense and 11 on defense,” Green said. “That’s our goal.”

Despite having a young squad, the Blue Demons will not be an easy out in a Ches-Mont American Division that is getting stronger every year.

The process will be tough to sell, but Green, like his players, are up to the challenge.

“I think we’re putting a good product on the field,” Green said. “We’re trying to attract more people and get good excitement here on Friday nights. This is a great football environment at Kennett.”