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Football 8/30/2021 12:31:00 PM

2021 Preview: Lords return as a bigger and better team

GAMBIER, Ohio -- Bigger in size and number, the Kenyon College Lords approach the 2021 football season with a renewed sense of optimism. A roster of 79, likely the most substantial in program history, returns to the gridiron after last season's hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Head Coach James Rosenbury, now in his third season at Kenyon, continues to build the team to a point where depth and position competition are assets and not inadequacies. The 2021 roster also passes the eye test, as the team brings a distinct heft that increases their chances of success, especially in the trenches.

In 2019, his first season with the program, Rosenbury steered the Lords to a 3-7 mark. That's not near where they want to be, but the improvement from previous seasons was unmistakable and continues to serve as a foundation for enthusiasm and confidence.

The 2021 team doesn't feature many returning starters from that 2019 squad, but nearly 40 letterwinners are back in uniform.

Among those returnees is 6-8 senior quarterback A.J. Allen, who has the inside track on taking over the starting job following the 2019 graduation of Thomas Merkle, the program's record-holding quarterback in nearly every passing category.

The line in front of Allen will be young, but will also bring a tremendous amount of size. Ben Casey, a 6-2, 300-pound junior will anchor the group, which may very well be rounded out by four sophomores who average 6-1, 285 pounds. Veterans like Matt Ullstrom and Taso Sdregas could also figure into the mix.

The bulk up front will certainly help the run game, which has been a glaring weak spot in past years. Junior Jack Provenza will lead a healthy contingent of running backs that looks to take advantage of the situation. Provenza had 109 yards during limited action as a first-year in 2019. Classmate Sean Goodman will probably split carries with Provenza in front of an eager group of four first-year backs that tries to prove its worth.

The receiving corps is deep and talented. At the top of the class are senior Justin Bosch and junior Andrew Schnarre. Bosch has 97 career receptions for 768 years, while Schnarre returns from a 2019 season that included 40 receptions for 487 yards. The unit also includes veterans like Gage Anzulavich and James Scotto, as well as converted running back Finn Murray.

At tight end, look for seniors Christian Scotto and Anthony Gallagher to take charge.

On the other side of the ball, the Lords bring back a veteran defensive line that will be spearheaded by seniors Jimi Bello and Isaiah Mann, as well as junior Nathan Fanta. Bello had 24 tackles in 2019, Mann had three sacks and Fanta led the team with eight sacks and 13.5 tackles-for-loss.

The Kenyon linebackers will also be led by a veteran trio in Jimmy Lane, Tom Zaleski and Jason Kessler. Lane is transitioning from a defensive back spot, Zaleski made 34 tackles in 2019 and Kessler will likely move from a back-up role to a starting role.

In the secondary, Ryan Mott and Angus Soderberg appear to have the corner spots locked up, while Niall Regan, Mychael Leno and Robert Kassees are the front-runners for the safety positions.

Rosenbury and the Lords have one more week of practices left to sort things out before the season starts Saturday with a home non-conference game at 1 p.m against Benedictine University, a team that posted a 7-3 record in 2019 and a 2-1 mark in last year's abbreviated schedule.

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Players Mentioned

#12 A.J. Allen: QB; 6' 8"; Senior

#18 Gage Anzulavich: WR; 6' 4"; Junior

#43 Jimi Bello: DL; 6' 0"; Senior

#73 Ben Casey: OL; 6' 2"; Junior

#9 Nathan Fanta: DL; 5' 10"; Junior

#40 Anthony Gallagher: TE; 5' 9"; Senior

#30 Sean Goodman: RB; 5' 10"; Junior

#38 Robert Kassees: DB; 5' 9"; Senior

#36 Jason Kessler: LB; 5' 8"; Junior

#8 Jimmy Lane: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#12 A.J. Allen
: 6' 8"; Senior
: QB

#18 Gage Anzulavich
: 6' 4"; Junior
: WR

#43 Jimi Bello
: 6' 0"; Senior
: DL

#73 Ben Casey
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OL

#9 Nathan Fanta
: 5' 10"; Junior
: DL

#40 Anthony Gallagher
: 5' 9"; Senior
: TE

#30 Sean Goodman
: 5' 10"; Junior
: RB

#38 Robert Kassees
: 5' 9"; Senior
: DB

#36 Jason Kessler
: 5' 8"; Junior
: LB

#8 Jimmy Lane
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB