***Editor’s note: Kewanee High School Head Football Coach Matt Taylor provided this preview of his team’s 2024 season.

The long wait is over; the energy is gaining momentum for the 2024 Kewanee High School football team. 

The varsity squad will hit the gridiron this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Kewanee Football Stadium as they host a Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) neighbor. Though both schools are in the TRAC, Kewanee hails from the “Mississippi” half and E-P co-op represent the “Rock” side of this 12-team conference. 

Tomorrow’s game is considered a non-conference matchup for both teams. E-P Panthers, coached by Tyler Whitebread, are looking to improve on a 3-6 record from last year with many solid returning members who are joined by members of a successful frosh/soph team in 2023. 

Erie-Prophetstown is considered improved and will attempt to mark this improvement with a win over a returning 8-2 Kewanee team from 2023. However, Kewanee will be looking to continue their success and begin their run to another IHSA playoff berth. 

The 2024 varsity Boilermakers will dress 44 athletes ready with experience, speed, and discipline. Who are this year’s Boilermakers?

Offensively, Kewanee returns seven senior starters from 2023 in Colson Welgat (QB), Davontae Jordan (WR), three-year starter Ben Taylor (WR), Brayden Conley (C), Brady Schiltz (TE), Leo Gandarilla (T) and Alex Duarte (RB). 

These returners will be bolstered by high-output players Greyden Lewis (WR/RB), junior Gunner Salisbury (RB), senior Kashen Ellerbrock (T), senior Tyler Johnston (G), junior Airies Simmons (G), senior Marquelle King (WR), senior Dontaveon Thomas (WR) and senior Waylan Lambert (RB), sophomore Kaanan Griffin (T) and freshman Ace LaFollette. 

Additional players figuring into the mix early are junior Abe Hicks (WR), junior Landyn Greenhagen (RB), junior Kingston Peterson (RB), sophomore Josh DeWante (TE), junior Oswaldo Sanchez (G) and Landon Weir (G). 

All-Conference offensive performers returning are Conley, Taylor, Jordan, and Duarte. Welgat (WR) is expected to make the transition to QB quite well for 2024 with junior Brayden Johnson, and sophomore Isaiah Ince competing for minutes. 

Finally, the Boilermakers will look to open holes for returning All-State running back Alex Duarte. This team averaged 30 plus points in 10 games during 2023 with 75 percent run and 25 percent pass plays statistically. We look to improve our dynamic offense with core contributors from a year ago. 

Kewanee’s special teams will be poised to pick up kicking duties vacated by graduate and All-State player Brady Clark. Place kicking for field goals and extra points will be shared by Peterson and Welgat. Punting will also see Welgat share duties with fellow senior Tyler Johnston. 

Additionally, kickoff responsibilities will fall on Johnston. 

Coverage players throughout specialty plays will be anchored by hard-nosed players like seniors Joey Janey and Adrian Buss and juniors Joey McGuire, Jaxon Janey and Tre’Shawn Jeffers. Finally, kick return specialists will be senior Prestin Stabler, Lewis, Jordan, Thomas, Taylor, King, Hicks and Dewante. This group has very good speed and field sense. 

The Boiler defense in 2024 will be fast and dynamic. Many players will find themselves in the action. 

Boilermakers expected to make large contributions early will be Johnston, Conley, Simmons, Ellerbrock, Janey, Gandarilla and Griffin upfront at D-line. Linebackers will be anchored by three-year starter Alex Duarte, Lambert, Schiltz, Salisbury and Jeffers with activity from Greenhagen, Peterson and Johnson and LaFollette.

The secondary has great competition and aggressiveness with a host of excellent athletes led by three-year starter Jordan, Taylor, Thomas, Hicks, King, Lewis, Dewante and freshman Chris Crowe. We will aim for disciplined aggression while pursuing the opponent’s offense.   

Kewanee is coached by Max Taylor, Jared Hahn, Rick LaFollette, Mike Weir, Corey Tavares, Nick Christakos, Court Conley (offensive coordinator) and Head Coach Matt Taylor. All coaches have returned to continue program initiatives and create a valuable setting for all involved student athletes. 

The environment teaches expectations, decency, hard work, manners, resilience and commitment. We always are looking for interested athletes. Your 2024 team would like to say thank you to the community, as it has consistently given support to this program. Your Boilermakers eagerly await Friday night under the lights and hope to see you there.

Thank you Kewanee from your entire football program.