THE NEW KNIGHTS

PALMER — The Colony Knights may have graduated more than 20 seniors, many of whom were starters, from a 2010 team that won the Railbelt Conference title. But don’t call the Knights a rebuilding team, at least not around head coach Brian McIntosh.

“No, not at all,” McIntosh said. “We don’t dwell on that. We’ve got a new group of kids ready to shine on their own.”

The loss of the 2010 class depleted the starting lineup, but the Knights certainly have plenty of new players to choose from. Well more than 100 athletes are on the 2011 roster, McIntosh said.

“We don’t even have enough gear for everybody,” McIntosh said. “It’s pretty impressive.”

McIntosh estimates about 15 seniors and 25 juniors are on the roster. There’s 25 more in the sophomore class, and a massive freshman class of more than 40.

“I’m really excited about that,” McIntosh said. “If we keep those numbers, we’ll be really strong.”

To use that depth, McIntosh said the majority of Colony starters will start on just offense or defense in an effort to get more players on the field.

Senior Ty Farber is just about the only starter returning, and will lead the Knights on defense from his middle linebacker position. Farber, a starting center last season, will also see time at fullback, McIntosh said.

A pair of transfers will also play major roles in the defensive backfield. Shawn Fualk, who moved to Alaska from California, and Kyle Kendrick, new to the Valley from Washington, will each start at safety.

Senior John Tieszen and sophomore Fisher Summers are among the five to six linebackers who will be rotating into Colony’s 3-5 defense.

McIntosh has also been impressed with junior defensive ends Nathan Umbarger and Sam Taliai. Junior Ken McCoy will also be in the defensive backfield.

Junior Robert Lorentz has earned the job as Colony’s starting quarterback, McIntosh said, and is also a team captain.

“He’s throwing the ball pretty darn well,” McIntosh said. “And he’s a captain, which is a rarity for a junior.”

McIntosh is also excited about junior running back Wyatt Peltier and junior flanker Simon Root.

“(Peltier) is very, very explosive,” McIntosh said. “(Root) can do all kinds of stuff.”

The Knights also have junior DeAngelo Mutini, a smaller runner who can potentially be a third-down threat for Colony.

“He’s really shifty and follows his blocks pretty darn well,” McIntosh said. “He’s a pretty good change of pace.”

Junior Devin Campbell, who McIntosh said has phenomenal hands, is also in the mix.

With Farber moving to fullback, the Knights are replacing all five starters up front. But Colony does have three seniors to help fill the void.

Center Derek McEwan, left guard AC Schmer and left tackle Andrew McCalister have all moved into the starting lineups as seniors. Junior right guard Michael Carver and sophomore right tackle Justin Booth have also earned starting spots.

Overall, the Knights should boast more size up front this year.

“They’re a little bit different, a little bit bigger,” McIntosh said.

The Knights open the 2011 season against a Dimond squad Colony faced twice in 2010. Last season, the Lynx upset Colony in overtime during Week 1. Colony beat Dimond during the first round of the large-schools playoffs.

“It’s going to be a tough, tough matchup,” McIntosh said. “They’re fast and big.”

The Knights host Dimond Saturday at 7 p.m. at CHS.

** Editor’s note: This the final piece of a four-part series previewing the 2011 season of the local prep football teams. For past previews of the Palmer, Wasilla and Houston programs, see frontiersman.com/sports. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.