The Kent County High School Varsity Football team sits at 2-3 halfway through their season, coming off a loss at Queen Anne’s County High School last Friday, October 4th 28-8.
The halfway point through anything is usually a good place to take a step back and reflect on the first half. With that being said, here is a mid-season player profile on every Trojans offensive and defensive starter.
Junior QB Thomas Goldsborough- As a quarterback, you are supposed to be the leader of the offense. You are supposed to sacrifice your own time to work on perfecting your craft. You are supposed to be a role model that your teammates can look up to. This is exactly what Goldsborough is. His teammates respect his hard work and dedication, and it inspires not only the offense, but the entire team to play harder. Kent County is a run first team, which reflects in Goldsborough’s passing attempt numbers, but when the Trojans do lean on Goldsborough, he comes through.
Junior RB/DB Ty Wilson- Wilson has been the Trojans most dynamic player on offense this season. Wilson has played in 4 games and scored in 3 of them, including a 3 touchdown game week 1 at Broadwater Academy, a touchdown run from midfield as the first half ended at James M. Bennett, and the only Trojans score at Kent Island. On defense, Wilson started the season playing linebacker, but has since been moved to cornerback where he looks to stay for the remainder of the season. He frequently locks down the perimeter of the field, whether it be an interception near the goal line that stopped a potential Kent Island touchdown drive, or making running backs regret bouncing it outside.
Senior RB/LB Kolby Walters- On offense, Walters is your stereotypical power running back. If you need 2 yards, he’ll get you 3. If you need 10 yards, he’ll get you 3. Walters fits the Trojans offense to perfection. Unlike Wilson, Walters has yet to be much of a threat in the Trojans passing game. Defense is where Walters really shines, though. He leads the team in tackles, stopping running backs for minimal gains and often for losses. He also has 3 fumble recoveries, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns. As the season wraps up, look for Walters to be in consideration for the 1st team All-Bayside.
Junior RB/LB Will Ashmore- Ashmore, like Walters, is the power back head coach Dave Boyle needs running his offense. He is second on the team to Ty Wilson in touchdowns, and finishes most games top 2 in carries as well. Similar to Walters, Ashmore has yet to be much of an option in the passing game. Ashmore didn’t start the season as a starting linebacker, but quickly earned a spot. He plays very much like his fellow linebackers, Walters and Peyton Taylor, and under the tutelage of those two could be a big time playmaker on that side of the ball next year as a senior.
Senior TE/LB Peyton Taylor- Taylor is coming into his second year starting at linebacker and his first at tight end. At linebacker, Taylor has been a great compliment to Walters on the inside. He always makes the correct reads and fills the gap he is supposed to. He has shown some versatility as well, moving around to outside linebacker and even safety at times. On offense, Taylor has taken a huge step forward. He stepped in for sophomore Collin Futty, who injured his ankle over the summer, and never gave the starting job back as he has emerged as one of Goldsborough’s top targets.
Senior WB Jose Olavarria- Olavarria is seen as one of the hardest workers on the team by his teammates. What he lacks in physical size, he makes up for in heart. Olavarria is very physical, which shows in his running style. He has one of the highest yards per carry averages on the team, but unfortunately the wing back position for the Trojans is more so used as a blocker instead of a ball carrier.
Senior WR Taylor Lyons- Lyons is your typical number one target any quarterback would want in their offense. Despite this year being Lyons first and only season playing football, he has been an excellent addition to the Trojans passing game. He is an excellent route runner and is considered to have the best hands on the team. Lyons will continue to look for his opportunities to shine with Goldsborough as the season continues.
Senior LT/DT Buddy Welch- Welch has easily been the Trojans most improved player this season. Last season was Welch’s first ever playing football, and he fell in love with it. He’s a first year starter on both sides of the ball this season, stuffing runs on defense and making holes for them on offense.
Freshman LG Chris Schauber- Schauber, the only freshman on the varsity team full time, has already made a huge impact for the offensive line. He stepped in when junior Brandon Myers injured his wrist, and like Peyton Taylor at tight end, took the job for good. Schauber’s talent is still raw, as you would expect from a freshman, but has shown flashes of what he can do for the Trojans for years to come.
Senior C/DT Darren Blackwell- Blackwell is not only the biggest player on the Trojan’s but is also one of the strongest. He can be an efficient run blocker because there are very few people who can even move him. He has also shined on defense, making stops in the run game and even getting a few tackles for losses.
Senior RG/DL Josh Medford- This season, Medford continues to be one of the best offensive linemen in the Bayside Conference. He is smart, quick, and physical. He is viewed as a role model and frequently offers advice and instruction to his fellow linemen. Medford’s offensive game can sometimes overshadow his efforts on defense, but don’t let him fool you. Medford is among the leading tacklers on the team, a rarity for a defensive tackle. He is a force on both sides of the ball that opposing linemen do not want to deal with.
Senior RT/DL Brandon Crouch- Crouch has made a solid comeback to football despite missing out on his junior season. He is a consistent two-way starter on offense and defense and can make big plays in games. What he lacks in weight, he makes up for in height and strength and will continue to play a bigger role in the Trojan’s rotation of linemen.
Sophomore LB Collin Futty- Although Futty lost his starting tight end position to Peyton Taylor over the summer, he has more than made up for it on defense. At outside linebacker, Futty consistently seals the edge on runs, and pressures the opposing quarterback often. He is frequently up at the top of the team in tackles each game. Although Futty is not a full time starter on offense, he has recently begun to get reps at wing back, rotating with Jose Olavarria.
Junior DB Gary Emory- Emory is a fast, strong, physical, ballhawking defensive back that every coach would love to have on their team. Emory’s 2 interceptions in the Trojans week 4 matchup at home against Snow Hill High School were huge momentum shifters that sparked the offense on the other end. Emory has occasionally gotten beat on deep passes and touchdowns, but not for his lack of speed. Emory has all the tools to be a great cornerback, and with some tweaking to his technique, could become a true lockdown corner. Emory will be out for the Trojans week 6 matchup at home vs Colonel Richardson following a concussion he suffered on the opening second half kickoff last Friday. He did not return to the game, but was moving around fine later that night. He visited a doctor Monday, where he was told he would have to sit for at least 1 week.
Junior DB Kevin Mallory- Mallory so far has played all over the secondary, rotating between safety and cornerback. He consistently seals the edge on outside runs, getting off blocks from the opposing wide receiver with ease. He completes the trifecta of each starting defensive back having at least 1 interception, although he should be tied in the lead with Emory for two if he hadn’t let one slip through his hands in the Trojans week 4 matchup vs Snow Hill.
Senior K/P Ryan Argo- The first year kicker and punter has been more than reliable on special teams. Argo has connected on 15 extra points, and consistently flips the field position with his punts. We have still yet to see Argo make a field goal, as the Trojans have yet to attempt one this season.
Now that you’re familiar with the Kent County starters, let’s hand out some awards…
Offensive Player of the Year- Ty WIlson
The aforementioned most electric offensive player, Wilson leads the team in both rushing and receiving touchdowns, and will likely finish in those spots at years end.
Defensive Player of the Year- Kolby Walters
Walters has proved he is the Trojans best defensive player in the box score and on the field. He consistently stuffs running backs for losses, forces fumbles and recovers them himself, and makes quarterbacks regret rolling out of the pocket.
Most Improved Player- Buddy Welch
Welch has made a huge step forward coming into his second season of football, as he has gone from a depth offensive linemen to the starting left tackle.
Best Newcomer- Chris Schauber
Schauber was the only real contender for this award, with wide receiver Taylor Lyons likely coming in second. Schauber is the only freshman on the varsity team, and has played quite a bit. He has fluctuated in and out of the starting lineup, and shown potential while on the field.
Underclassmen MVP- Collin Futty
This award was mainly given to Futty because he is one of only 2 underclassmen on varsity full time. That’s no slight to Futty however, because his defensive contributions have been outstanding. Futty’s tackling has been consistent, and he is a strong presence coming off the edge.
Upperclassmen MVP- Kolby Walters
Walters, my defensive player of the year, is also the upperclassmen MVP. Again, he is a dominant linebacker and should be in the discussion for a first team All-Bayside spot.
The Trojans look to get back to .500 as Colonel Richardson High School comes to town this Friday, October 11th. The Colonel's come into the matchup at 3-2, coming off a loss at Arcadia High School 47-7.
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