[tps_title]Kennett Blue Demons [/tps_title]
Kerry Tomasetti (left) and Jake Dilcher have Kennett in the hunt for its first trip to the postseason. (NATE HECKENBERGER)
New coach has Blue Demons dreaming big
KENNETT SQUARE >> Josh Kaufman knows what it takes to turn around a football program. He saw it first-hand a decade ago as a graduate assistant at Temple, when Al Golden transformed the Owls. And now he is going to try to do the same at Kennett.
“I was able to see the process of turning around a perennial loser into a winner,” said Kaufman, 37. “And it doesn’t take that long, just a lot of hard work.” 
From Temple, Kaufman spent time coaching at Widener University, Imhotep Charter and most recently was the offensive coordinator at Archbishop Carroll. He replaces Doug Langley, who was 5-15 overall in two lackluster seasons as the Blue Demons’ failed to beat any Ches-Mont American foe other than Octorara.
“There are a lot of firsts to be done here, and that challenge rang a bell with me,” Kaufman said. “I’d like to help (our players) become the first conference champion, first playoff team, and first team to beat Unionville. Those types of targets appeal to me as a coach.”
Kaufman’s background is on offense and he is reportedly installing a no-huddle attack that will try to use senior quarterback Jake Dilcher’s run-pass talents to the fullest. A three-year starter, Dilcher isn’t big but he is smart and elusive.
“(Dilcher) can run it and throw it, and we will take advantage of that,” Kaufman said. “He is very smart. I know it’s a cliché, but he really is like another coach on the field.”
It also helps that Kennett’s deepest area is along the offensive line, where returning senior starters like Lonnie Hall, Nate Pizzini and Ryan Kelly return.
“We have a lot of seniors on both sides of the ball, so that will help us with experience and size, which is something we are not used to,” Dilcher said.
“(The offense line) will be able to give me more time than I’ve had so I can throw to some guys that I can rely on.”
It looks like sophomore Garrett Cox will get the first crack at running back, and the receiver spots will likely include Mitch Kosara and Drake McNamara, among others.
“(Cox) didn’t miss a summer workout,” Kaufman said. “He loves football, he’s got good feet and he knows how to hold onto the football.”
There are more question marks on defense, particularly in the secondary and with the linebackers, but there are lots of prospects. Two-way interior linemen like Hall and Pizzini lead the way up front along with intriguing senior Drew Mosky.
“The key is playing together,” Hall said. “That’s something we haven’t done in the past few seasons.”
The Blue Demons understand that respect from Ches-Mont opponents will have to be earned.
“We are definitely a sleeper this year,” Dilcher said.
“I don’t want to make any predictions, but Kennett is going to be a tough out for a lot of people,” Kaufman added.
“They don’t just give away trophies, it takes a lot of effort. So we have to make sure we are out-working every other team in this conference. I promised our players that if we out-work other teams, good things are going to happen.”
Unusual job interview
Kaufman admits his offseason job interview with Kennett Athletic Director Sean Harvey was a bit unorthodox, but it helped him understand the task ahead much more intimately.
“During the interviewing process, (Harvey) actually had me run a practice,” Kaufman said. “I’ve never done that before during an interview.
“But I got to work with the young men. I saw there were some talented players and that they had a strong work ethic. Plus, there are tremendous facilities and great support from the community.”
Mosky a promising prospect
The Demons have a lot of experience up front, but could be even better if Mosky can realize his potential. He is a 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive tackle who is short on experience but has a broadening upside.
“(Mosky) hasn’t played a lot but I see him getting better and better every day, and I think he will have a good season,” Kaufman said. “He is big and strong, and has a good motor. We are going to need him to control the middle of the field and I think he can do it.”
By Neil Geoghegan; ngeoghegan@21st-centurymedia.com
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