Knights ready to defend league title

PALMER — The Colony Knights worked through ups and downs on both sides of the ball last season.

Throughout the regular season, the Colony defense reigned supreme. The unit, which allowed a mere 4.7 points per game during the final six weeks of the regular season, was a key part in Colony’s ability to win the Railbelt Conference crown. Meanwhile, the Knights, working a newly installed offense, battled through growing pains early, but saw steady improvement on offense as Colony drove deeper into the year.

Now, as the Knights enter the 2016 season, Colony is ready to not only defend its conference crown, but build on what it developed in 2015.

“Very encouraging,” second-year head coach Rhett Magner said recently of what he’s seen from his Knights so far.

The Knights had many things go right last season during their six-game winning streak, but the thought of the 46-26 first-round playoff loss to Dimond still lingers.

“We certainly got exposed a little bit last year against Dimond,” Magner said.

But that doesn’t mean Magner and his assistants spent the offseason reinventing things.

“Tweak a little bit. Add a little bit. Hopefully those improvements will make us that much better,” Magner said. “Defense is what we pride ourselves on. We’re very fired up, very focused.”

Colony also has the luxury of returning more than half of their defensive starters from a year ago. The defense is led by its trio of first-team all-conference linebackers — Dawson Nash, Cade Havel and Nolan Martin. The Knights also welcomed back returning starters Cooper Sant and Isaiah Chrsity on the defensive line, and Parker Kizer and Caleb Bailey in the defensive backfield. Jake Hessinger is another key returner on defense.

On offense, the Knights are excited about entering the second season with its system installed by Magner and offensive coordinator Matt Jaronik prior to the 2015 season. Both Magner and Jaronik are former Colony standout quarterbacks who went on to play at the college level. Magner said he sees the year’s worth of growth within the offense, and is excited about the weapons the Knights have to utilize in the system which often includes a single back, two slot backs and a pair of receivers.

The Knights lost former starting quarterback Steven Bilafer and former starting running back Jordan Nero, who are both suiting up for the College of Idaho this fall. But Magner said the Knights still have plenty of pieces to use.

Colony entered two-a-days with a pair of signal callers working for the top spot behind center, Kizer and Marcus Lorentz. Kizer is an athletic quarterback, Magner said, and a threat with his legs. Lorentz, younger brother of Robert Lorentz, a former record-breaking quarterback at CHS, likes to throw the ball, but can also use his legs as well, Magner said.

Havel is Colony’s leading returning rusher, with 370 yards in 2015. But Havel is one of a number of options for the Knights at running back.

“We have so many talented running backs. We’re going to try to spread the ball around,” Magner said.

The back that gets the bulk of the carries could change from week to week, Magner said.

On the outside, the Knights return starting receivers Jon Pomrenke and Caleb Bailey. Pomrenke led the Knights with 23 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns. Hessinger also caught two touchdowns for the Knights last season.

Magner also noted the work of his offensive line.

“The offensive line has improve tremendously. I think we cleaned some stuff up schematically,” Magner said.

The Knights start the season with four straight tough nonconference games.

“It’s a very tough schedule. The first four weeks especially will be a challenge,” Magner said.

The Knights open at Bartlett Friday, and host Bartlett Aug. 19. The Knights then go to rival Palmer Aug. 26, before returning home to face Dimond in a rematch of the 2015 playoff game the following week.

“Bartlett and East are extremely big and fast. Palmer’s a rival game. You never know. Dimond is completely different from the first three games we play,” Magner said.

The Knights begin their Railbelt season Sept. 9 at rival Wasilla. A home game follows against West Valley. The Knights are at Lathrop in Week 7, and cap the regular season at home against Railbelt-newcomer Chugiak.

COLONY KNIGHTS

Head coach: Rhett Magner

Conference: Railbelt (large schools)

2015 finish: 6-3, 1st in conference, advanced to playoffs

Key returners: Dawson Nash, Sr, RB/LB; Cade Havel, Sr., RB/LB; Nolan Martin, Sr., RB/LB; Cooper Sant, Sr., OL/DL; Parker Kizer, Jr., QB/DB.

Key losses: Steven Bilafer, QB/DB; Jordan Nero, RB/DB; Ryan Wharry, OL/DL; Austin Gilland, OL/DL; Alex Alvarado, OL/DL.

2016 schedule

Friday, Aug. 12 Colony at Bartlett, 7p.m.

Friday, Aug. 19 East at Colony, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 26 Colony at Palmer, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2 Dimond at Colony, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9 Wasilla at Colony, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 West Valley at Colony, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24 Colony at Lathrop, 5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 29 Chugiak at Colony, 7 p.m.