TAKING THE LEAD: Colony coaches looking to veterans to guide Knights into the 2017 season

PALMER — As the Colony High staff worked with its players for the first two weeks of preseason practice, the coaches saw the talent and the potential. But they are still looking for a few of the veterans to really establish themselves as the primary leaders of the football program.

And head coach Rhett Magner and his assistants are looking at a few specific players to step into those roles.

The group includes seniors such as Parker Kizer, Jon Pomrenke, Jake Hessinger, Jarrett Villastrigo and Brandon Holmes.

“We lost some big leaders (to graduation),” Magner said Monday evening. “As a coaching staff, we’re waiting for those leaders to step up and assume that leadership role.”

Kizer, Pomrenke, Hessinger, Villastrigo and Holmes, now seniors, have all been part of the varsity program since their sophomore seasons.

As third-year varsity players, Magner said it’s only a matter of time until they are able to become the vocal and emotional leaders, the Knight are looking for, and players who can also lead by example. The experienced veterans will also help the newest varsity players make the transition from the junior varsity level. Magner said there are about 100 total players out this year, but the Knights are still working to fill some holes on the varsity side.

“Varsity, we’re kind of thin at the moment until we get some kids coaches up,” Magner said.

Each of those five seniors will play key roles on the field and in the game plan, and each is expected to start both ways. Kizer, a quarterback and defensive back, is the team’s starting signal caller for the second straight year. Kizer will once again guide the Knights’ flexbone offense Colony installed three years ago during Magner’s first season as head coach. With a second-year starter at quarterback and a senior class with three years of experience in the system, Magner said the Knights have not had to spend nearly as much time on the basics. Colony has been able to expand the playbook as the Knights work to become more aggressive on offense.

“We threw a lot at them,” Magner said.

Colony participated in a set of scrimmages with Eagle River and South Anchorage last weekend. Magner said the Knights intended to stay fairly conservative on the offensive side. But as his group continued to execute, the coaching staff expanded the game plan.

“We threw different formations at them. They did really well,” Magner said. “That’s part of the maturation, running this for the third year. We tweaked some things, moved some stuff, added some new stuff, but are still running our base plays out of the (flexbone).”

Magner said Kizer’s experience behind center in the system will be key.

“We’ve put so much on his shoulders, and he’s responding really well,” Magner said. “He’s a very, very bright kid, and knows the offense very well.”

Kizer was named first-team all-state as a junior.

In addition to the loss of the leadership of players such as Nolan Martin, Cade Havel and Dawson Nash, the Knights will have to fill the void in terms of production. Last season, Havel rushed for 919 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“That’s a tough one,” Magner said of replacing Havel.

Magner said the Knights are looking for production from Zane Vrvillo and Kaden Jimenez at the fullback position left by Havel.

“We’re pretty comfortable with both of them,” Magner said.

Magner said Eric Christy has also looked good at quarterback, and could also factor in at one of the running back positions. Hessinger has experience carrying the ball, and Pomrenke can be a threat from multiple positions on offense.

Magner said senior Martin Jones has also really stepped up and has shown his ability to become a key part of the offense.

Up front, the Knights have some experience on the offensive line. Holmes is one of the experienced seniors and should start at guard. Caleb Reeves is returning starter on the offensive line. Villastrigo is back after a broken ankle cut is junior season short. Junior Bradley Amato has stepped into the starting job at center.

On the defensive side of the ball, Magner said the Knights are looking to a particular player to step up and be the primary leader of the unit.

“We’re really relying on Jon Pomrenke right now,” Magner said.

Magner said Pomrenke’s role will be similar to what Jordan Nero was able to do for the Knights as a senior in 2015. Nero played multiple positions for the Knights, with a role dictated by matchup, and was named the state’s defensive player of the year.

“That’s really how we’re looking at it. Jon can play all over the place,” Magner said. “Jon is really similar to Jordan with is athletic ability. With a guy like Jon Pomrenke, out of control athletic, big, strong and fast, smart, we’ve got to use him to our full advantage.”

Magner said he’s excited about what Holmes can do at defensive tackle, in addition to offensive guard.

“He’s been kind of riddled with injuries during his high school career. We’re hoping he stays healthy. He’s a stout kid and can move,” Magner said. “He has a motor.”

The defense will also be led by Villastrigo at defensive end, Hessinger at linebacker and Kizer in the defensive backfield.

Juinor Noah Krozel, Colony’s third-year starting placekicker, leads the Knights special teams. Krozel booted the extra-point 29 times last season.

Colony starts its 2017 season at Service Saturday at 4 p.m. The Knights play three Anchorage teams (Service, Bartlett and West Anchorage) during the first four weeks of the season.

“It’s tough,” Magner said. “It’s a double-edged sword. I want that competition every single week, but at the same time, those are some big boys we’re going against.”

Colony, which finished 6-3 overall and second in the Railbelt Conference last season, sees all four conference opponents during the second half of the season. The Knights host Wasilla (Sept. 8) and Lathrop (Sept. 22), and are at West Valley (Sept. 16) and Chugiak (Sept. 29).

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com

*** Editor’s note: This is the fourth part of a five-part series previewing the 2017 season of the Valley’s five prep football programs. For more on the Houston Hawks, Redington Huskies and Palmer Moose, see frontiersman.com/sports. For more on the Wasilla Warriors, see the Friday edition of the Frontiersman.