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Experienced Kaneland looking to bounce back

After what seemed like years of Kaneland returning a bevy of two- and three-year starters, the 2014 season wasn't like that.

Add a key injury and for the first time since 2007 and just the second time since 1994, on the cusp of the program hitting its stride, Kaneland failed to reach the playoffs.

This year more Knights are back in black. Kaneland returns 14 starters split between offense and defense - plus kicker Drew Franklin, second last year in scoring on the strength of 9 field goals.

"That's always good to have that many guys returning, to have that experience, so we're looking for a good year," said Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly.

As a junior, quarterback Jake Marczuk completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,883 yards and 19 touchdowns. After an injury to since-graduated tailback Isaac Swithers, Marczuk also led Kaneland with 444 yards rushing. He also resumes punting duties.

"He had a really good summer and he's having a pretty good preseason for us," Fedderly said. "He's worked really hard and he's ready to have a really good senior year."

Supporting him are three returning starting offensive linemen: Logan Strang, Andrew Kray and 285-pound Tristan Kinder, the first two also back on the three-man defensive front.

While Kaneland returns Mitchel Groen (pronounced "green"), Tyler Paulson and Tanner Robertsen at receiver, the running backs aren't as experienced. Among actual returning backs, Alec Aurelio had the most attempts and yardage, followed by Giovanni Regalado, neither over 83 yards. There is a familiar name - freshman Jonathan Alstott, cousin of the Joliet Catholic and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Alstott. Fedderly thinks the ground game will click both on the edge and up the gut.

Kaneland graduated all-area linebacker Danny Hammermeister - a big loss along with receiver Connor Fedderly, the coach's son - but returns last season's leading tackler, defensive back Joey Esposito, plus position mates Austin Vicary and Isaiah Baerenklau.

The linebacker corps is in fine shape - Groen, Strang, Paulson, Steven Van Horn and newcomers such as junior Hunter Regelbrugge.

Up front, Kray's 70 tackles last season tied with Hammermeister, 9 behind Esposito. The 260-pound Kray made 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries, all at or among team leaders.

"Having experience in those key positions, it's really, really helpful. Everything starts up front on the lines, and we've got some good kids up there we feel real happy with," Tom Fedderly said.

"Obviously, quarterback is a spot it's great to have experience. He's ready to go. And I think we have some playmakers. Robertsen, Paulson, Mitch Groen are some pretty good wide receivers, so I think we can be pretty explosive."

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