Genoa-Kingston seeking continued success
Back-to-back playoff berths after 13 consecutive losing seasons doesn't quite make Genoa-Kingston one of the elite small-school programs around, but it's a good start.
Success on the football field is becoming the status quo at G-K, and hopes for a third straight playoff appearance -- which hasn't happened since making the playoffs four years in a row from 1985-88 -- is the goal.
"This is a good, hard-working group of kids," said fifth-year G-K coach Bill McCarty, whose team went 8-3 in 2008. "We have six returning starters on each side of the ball. Our two running backs are back and that's our strength."
Senior Garrett Johnsen (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) and junior Robby Thurlby (5-11, 180) are the two returning running backs and will share the load again this year.
Seniors Nick Lopez (5-10, 165) and Ethan Menges (5-11, 175) return as the top two receivers. Senior receiver Dillan Smith (5-11, 170) has impressed McCarty during practice after not playing much last season and looks to make himself a starter this year.
Senior Ace McCarty (6-6, 185) and junior Craig Billington (5-10, 160) are in competition at quarterback to replace graduated Chris Wilkins.
Seniors John Cwiok (5-8, 195) and Cameron Kamp (6-1, 195) are returning starters on the offensive line. Junior Sean McIntyre (6-1, 210) is a second-year varsity starter and will also anchor a spot on the offensive line. Senior center Terry Hensley (5-9, 165) and junior Dom Calendo (6-1, 220) round out the line.
Defensively, McIntyre will play end. Thurlby also returns as a defensive back, along with junior Austin Bankson (5-11, 200) at inside linebacker, giving the Cogs three returning starters on defense who all played as sophomores. Johnsen returns at outside linebacker after garnering All-Big Northern Conference honors at that position last season.
McCarty, Menges and Lopez also return as defensive backs, and senior Kolby Pinne (5-9, 200) moves from linebacker to the defensive line this year.
"It takes awhile to build a winning tradition but we're trying," said McCarty, who has 28 players this season. "We're gonna keep working as hard as we can."
