Kent Island Buccaneers
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Facts: Class 2A East; Queen Anne’s County
Last Year: 7-3 overall, 5-1 Bayside North
Last Playoff Appearance: None
Highest State Poll Ranking: None
Coach: Bryon Sofinowski, 8th season (28-42)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 5-2
Returning Starters: Offense 6, Defense 7
Players To Watch:
Eric Chandler (Sr., RB/S, 5-9, 175), Joey Kirby (Jr., RB/CB, 5-11,
170), Jahmaul Walters (Sr., QB, 6-1, 190), David Perillo (Sr., C, 5-10,
190), Evan Cook (Sr., DT, 5-10, 240), Nick Narvesen (Jr., DT, 6-1,
250), Tyler Wilmer (Sr., NT, 6-1, 260), Ben Waller (Sr., DE/OG, 6-5,
215).
Breakdown: Eighth-year coach Bryon Sofinowski led
the Buccaneers to the school’s best season last year with a 7-3 record
and broke every offensive school record. But Sofinowski and company
were not exactly smiling at the end of the year.
“We were the
only 7-3 team not to advance to the playoffs,” he said. “It was our
best record in school history and we were conference co-champions with
two other schools but it wasn’t enough. I think our boys got a taste
and now they’re hungry as ever.”
Kent Island rode the back of
workhorse running back Eric Chandler and will continue the ride in
2008. Chandler rushed for 1,574 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and
will have three returning starters on the offensive line to block for
him this season. He will split time with Joey Kirby, who averaged over
six yards a carry last year.
The 1-2 punch in the backfield
will also get some yards from Jahmaul Walters, a mobile quarterback,
who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds.
“We’re really
excited for those three,” said Sofinowski, whose team will run a
multiple set offense, that ranges from the wing to the spread.
A
big hole on the defense was left by inside linebacker Allen Cork, who
was Bayside Conference Player of the Year. Newcomers from a
junior-varsity squad that went 8-1 last season will provide some key
defensive players. Senior Evan Cook and junior Nick Narvesen will
anchor the defensive line in the Buccaneers’ 5-2 scheme.