Coming off a heartbreaking loss in the semi-finals last year, the Kentwood Kangaroos look to make a return this year. While having a tremendous season last year going 10-3, the Kangaroos suffered a devastating loss to Oak Grove in the semi-finals for the second year in a row. The kangaroos look to bounce back under first-year head coach Cornelius Blount and make a return to the playoffs and a chance to play in the championship game. After a week one win over East Feliciana, the kangaroos look to continue their success in their game against Summer.
We Have been working, nonstop working. We haven’t done any 7 on 7. We have been focusing on getting big in the weight room, Nothing else.
Kentwood Head Coach Cornelius Blount
Coach Blount is ready for his revenge against Oak Grove. His key goal is to get his team physical and big. He says ” not being physical in the trenches is what ultimately lost us the games those past two years.” He was formerly the offensive coordinator at Kentwood and his offensive scheme will not change much seeing that the team’s new offensive coordinator was under Coach Blount for 10 years. Defensively they’re changing things up from a three-four to a four-three-five defense. Coach Blount has brought in strength conditioning coach Morgan Crane, and she has got the team on a college-based workout schedule and it has really been paying off.
We got some bigger guys up front. I think we could last with four people. We did last year with three coming out the numbers, we are going to be physical in the trenches. We got it this year.
Head Coach Cornelius Blount
When asked about some standout players that have stuck out to him in his few months at the school over his new team, Coach Blount had a list of athletes he was excited to see play.
Sean Burton, my running back. I got Lamikal Callahan, which is my D end and also going to be my tackle this year. We got Jermaine Brown number six, one of the top players in the state track -wise, so he’s going to be special. And I got two young guys I brought with me. They are sophomores, but they are both 6’3″ and they can play.
Head Coach Cornelius Blount
Lamikal Callahan is a senior playing O-line and D-line at Kentwood this year and is definitely a stand out player. Standing at 5’11” and weighing 222lbs with 27 sacks recorded, this young star is 5th in the nation in sacks and 1st in the state of Louisiana. When asked what his season goals are he said he is coming for that sack record and to really unite the team.
(Photo taken by Andy Bryson)
To beat the sack record, you know. I have to do what I have to do in order to beat it. And the thing as a team, we have to come together, stop the arguing and the fussing, and just be leaders and help others.
Kentwood OL/DL Lamikal Callahan
Jermaine Brown is another stand out senior at Kentwood. He is a wide receiver and defensive back standing at 5’10” and 170lbs this young star is fast. He is also a track runner with a 40 yard dash time of 4.4. Jermaine has received several college offers, specifically ULL and Mississippi Valley to name a couple. He was asked what his goals where for his upcoming season and he had this to say:
My individual goals are just being a leader on the team and be about the team.
Kentwood WR/DB Jermaine Brown
(photo By Andy Bryson)
There are two sophomore players from Kentwood looking to make a name for themselves. Chance Briggs is a 6’1″, 180lb strong safety. He recorded 28 total tackles with 20 of them being solo tackles last year. Chance is a player who works hard and pushes himself to be the very best he can be and he wants recruiters to know that as well.
Hey, I got a lot of size you know, I try to work hard, I want to be the best of my ability.
Kentwood SS Chance Briggs
He was also asked what kind of goals he wants to build and achieve this season. He is extremely ambitious and wants to leave behind a great legacy at Kentwood.
My goal is to be another face of a football school like Trey Palmer. I want to add more scouts to look out for our team. You know, just add more, sauce to it.
Kentwood SS Chance Briggs.
(Photo taken by Andy Bryson)
Ivan Williams is another sophomore at Kentwood. He plays on both sides of the ball playing offensive line and defensive line. He’s a hard working player who’s very disciplined, especially when it comes to pacing himself. His goals for this season are to be a leader on and off the field and to make him and his teammates better.
(Photo taken by Andy Bryson)
Both Lamikal Callahan and Jermaine Brown where invited to play in the Gridiron Football Bowl Game.
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